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Elly Roberts reviews
Sony/BMG
- October 2007
- Rating: 8/10
With the music scene awash with reunions and compilations, here comes another with a difference.
In an attempt to keep his music fresh, Grammy winner Carlos Augusto Alves Santanahas done several collaborations over the years. His biggest success in recentyears was the magnificent album Supernatural and single Smooth inthe summer of 1999. Now he keeps going with a helping hand from pop stars J-Lo,Tina Turner and Chad Kroeger.
Having already sold in excess of 90 million albums to date, this adds to hisworldwide appeal, drawing in a new generation of new fans.
There are four new songs (see tracklisting *).
Chad Kroeger – lead singer with rock band Nickelback – adds his penchant huskyvoice which juxtaposes superbly with Carlos Santanas delicate touch. In sharpcontrast, Michelle Branchs dulect tones bring a defining beauty and charm toThe Game Of Love, which won a Grammy in 2004, so its not exactly newas such, but new to the Santana collection. Tina Turners version is equallystylish. J-Los collaboration on This Boys Fire is totally lacklustre,and doesnt save the song, which is average by Carlos high standards.
Elsewhere, the usual fodder turns up. Smooth, from Supernatural, which effectivelyresurrected his career in 2000, remains one of his best songs in a generation.Predictably the biggies Black Magic Woman (a cover of Peter Greensmasterpiece) built of the origianl bluesy Fleetwood Mac classic. One of Santanasgreatest moments was an instrumental (used on a recent M&S TV ad) is theincomparable Samba Pa Ti. It features Carlos best guitar solo ever,from the gradual buld-up on to the rippling crescendo, again showing a nod toGreen.
In the mid-70s they had a top 20 hit with a mesmerising cover of The Zombies1964 classic Shes Not There. Another classic was Oye Como Va,originally done by Latin jazz legend Tito Puente in 1963, it was covered ontheir first hit album Abraxas in 1970. One of the collections bestmoments is a much more Latino roots-based Corazon Espinado, co-writtenby Fher Olvera of Latin rock group Mana, again found on Supernatural.
Santana were never considered a singles band, so they invariably lift albumtracks. Theres a good mix here to keep everybody happy.
Weblink:santana.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Into The Night (feat. Chad Kroeger) *
2. Smooth (feat.Rob Thomas)
3. Maria Maria (feat.The Product G&B)
4. This Boys Fire (feat. Jennifer Lopez & Baby Bush) *
5. Shes Not There
6. Black Magic Woman
7. The Game Of Love (feat.Michelle Branch)
8. Samba Pa Ti
9. Evil Ways
10. Put Your Lights On (with Everlast)
11. Corazon Espinado (feat.Mana)
12. Why Dont You And I (feat. Alex Band of The Calling)
13. Just Feel Better (feat. Steven Tyler)
14. Europa
15. No One To Depend On
16. Oye Como Va
17. Interplanetary Party *
18. The Game Of Love (feat.Tina Turner) (bonus track) *
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.