AMIGOS

Amigos was the first Santana album with plain commercial pop-rock tracks surrounded by traditional quality music. The album is a mixed bag of Latino, jazz-rock, soul and R&B. The first track are even progressive and the listener thinks that Caravensarai/Borboletta are not over yet thanks for well designed and executed instrumental parts. Tom Coster as a quite jazz oriented keyboard player does a lot to save the boat from sinking. I happy to hear his keyboard repertoire and tasteful playing.

"Let me" and "Let it shine" explore a funky territory, could be also taken as quite departure from the Latin realm. Santana's guitar and rhythm section have no issue to adapt and sound genuine although the final disco part of Let it shine is a let down for an older Santana fan.

"Take me with you" is a definitive standout with complex rhythm, Hammond/piano and delicious guitar soloing. "Europa" is the second standout and the most famous track on the album, which would be played live very often. It is a nice moody instrumental without Latin excursion.

For the first time ever, Santana rolls out Latin pop with subdued guitar, Latin vocals so that you hear Latin music but wouldn't guess it was Santana.

Recommended to fans of Santana that look for accessible 70's music.