SANTANA BROTHERS

Quite rare Carlos Santana solo album (first in 7 yrs after "Blues For Salvador"). OK, not purely solo release - with "Brothers" (guitarists Jorge Santana and Carlos Hernandez). But anyway, more solo release than Santana's band album.

The album opens with serious guitar fusion composition "Transmutation/ Industrial" and for a moment new listener can expect experimental jazz fusion album in a manner of his duets with McLaughlin or Alice Coltrane. No, it was opener only - but what a pleasant moment!

Starting from album's second composition everything returns to its places: Latin rock and Latin fusion supported by three guitarists. Sound is almost minimalistic - drums and percussion on some songs (Carlos plays percussion himself as well) and bassist Myron Dove on opener. But I think it is a good decision - great Latin guitar sound without over-production sounds better in 90-s than wall of sound for sure.

All melodies are catchy,soulful and you will easily recognize Carlos electric guitar on every song. OK, even if some moments will remind you Santana's early Latin blues rock, you will always feel that this album comes not from early 70-s: sound is more mellow and polished.

Album is full-instrumental (what is more plus than minus for Santana's works from 90-s). For sure, this is three guitarist albums, then don't expect complex sound of different instruments. Latin soulful melodies and Carlos guitar sound are both more important there than musicianship virtuosity.

Somewhere in the middle of the album you will possibly realize that songs all are melodic and soulful, but a bit ... similar to each other. Yes, Santana for years use similar tricks and melodies, and starting from late 70-s you will hardly find his album with concentrated musical material. More often there are one-two great songs, and all other professional material to fill the space.

This album is not much different, but the difference is filling material there is of better quality than usual. At the end of listening you will hardly remember any separate song, but all them will sound similar - and nice.

Last album's song "Morning In Marin " is a bit different again - aerial down tempo composition, but farf from excellent. I think nine energetic melodic soulful Latin rock/fusion compositions in line (between album's opener and the last song) are too much, and to add two three compositions of different speed,rhythm and sound in between would be a big advantage. But - we have what we have: best Santana's album from 90-s, and pleasant listening especially for Latin rock/fusion music fans.