Africa Speaks

Joyous jazz fusion.

I didn't read any reviews of this album until I had played it. "This is going to divide opinion" I thought and sure enough it has done.The Santana type face on the cover hints at a return to an earlier era and indeed there is a very strong similarity to what the band were playing in the late 60's. The first couple of tracks wouldn't appear out of place if they were on the Woodstock soundtrack. Lots of percussion and guitar with a feeling of a jam session.I reckon those people who leave a 1 star review may not be fans of 'Illuminations'; the album Carlos recorded with Alice Coltrane. That album was nothing like the standard latin rock normally associated with Santana and I detect hints of that style in 'Africa Speaks'.I do agree the female vocals get rather tiresome at times and you should be aware that only 3 of the 11 tracks are sung in English; no problem there, who doesn't love 'Oye como va'.I guess Carlos has done an Ian Anderson here (Thick as a brick 2 by Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson) and released what is really a collaboration with Bulka under the Santana band moniker.As with many other reviewers, I have been a Santana fan since the beginning. I have enjoyed all the different styles on the albums over the years. 'Santana 3' and 'Welcome' are my favourites and I love Carlos solo albums and his outings with Alice Coltrane and John McLaughlin.I guess you shouldn't assume you know what you'll be getting from the maestro and sample a little before you part with your pennies.4.5 stars because of the vocals.

Isn't it marvellous that Carlos still manages to divide opinion at this stage in his career? I am another long term fan and have seen him more than once in concert. I love this album and have been playing it constantly since its release. The raw sound and impassioned vocals just seem so natural. Buika is a big star in the hispanic world. Play some of her videos on YouTube and you'll see why. This is a genuine collaboration of equals. The style leans more towards jazz and blues than pop. The tracks are all vibrant and melodic and the band are on top form with the instruments all clear. The vocals are simply passionate which brings out the best in everybody else. Rick Rubin and Buika have rejuvenated Santana (and me!). Long may it continue. More please.# 6 weeks later:This album still won't let me go.Deeper Dig Deeper:If you're still reading this you must be a real fan who might be interested in knowing a bit more about some of the tracks:"Yo me lo merezco" is a version of a song Blacky Joe by Nigerian band PRO from the 70's, later recorded by Robert Randolph Family Band in 2013 with Carlos Santana guesting on guitar solo!"Breaking down the door" is "Abatina" by Calypso Rose.And "Dolor de Rumba" (b side of Breaking Down the Door single) is "Twer Nyame" by Ghanaian Ebo Taylor from the seventies.All these tracks are available on YouTube and Spotify if you want to hear the originals.

If you didn't know this album was produced by Rick Rubin you would probably guess just by the way that Carlos runs out the traps from the get go. Bloody hell you can here a guitar on this one. In fact it is about as in yer face as I have heard from the Maestro. Clearly a labour of love, in an age where "performances" are dialled in, the attention to detail here is pretty impressive. All sounds are clear and in their place - natch the guitar is to the fore but the big difference here is that there are songs and a strong central focus, with singer Buika being a breakout star. Carlos is at his best when he has someone to play off and he has this here in spades. Ok, now the downside....em there is none. So there we have it get out your air guitar and be transported to the magic world of S A N T A N A.

Most of the music here is pretty much typical Santana which I would say is a good thing. However this music was spoiled and on some songs totally ruined by the yelling and wailing vocals.Whoever was at the mixing desk of this recording must have liked these vocals as they are way ahead in the mix, so much so that it's difficult to discern the music on some songs.And as another mentioned in his review, what on earth does Africa have to do with this recording?

For me this is the best Santana album for many years. The African beat is a big - and much welcomed - change from the well trodden latin beat. Lyrics and vocals are excellent and the production leaves plenty room for Carlos to let rip on the guitar. Great album.

Different but not bad make sure you like African music

I’m a huge fan and this is the best Santana album since Supernatural. Carlos Santana showed up Eric Clapton in Hyde Park last summer with his energy and passion- this album takes you back to his heyday with echoes of his first 5 albums with addition of an African / Latin rock influence.

Double album. Very eclectic with all kinds of world influences with Africa being very prominent as the title suggests. Just when you think a song is slowly moving along you hear Carlos’ guitar tearing it up. Some of his guitar work on this album is a departure from his signature sound - in that one doesn’t immediately say - Oh that’s Santana- which is really cool that he continues keep us guessing. . Can’t wait to see him in Vegas.

Ich war sehr enttäuscht, als ich die Titel anhörte und keinen Bezug zur Musik herstellen konnte. Auch nach mehrfachem Anhören der CD fand ich keinen Zugang. Nur das Stück Yo me lo merezco hat mich wirklich begeistert. Ich empfinde es als so berührend und... unglaublich (in Ermangelung eines geeigneteren Begriffs), dass ich glücklich bin, die CD gekauft zu haben. Deshalb bekommt die CD 5 Sterne von mir.

Excelente disco

Un disco que no va a defraudar, Santana siempre, o casi, que ha tenido épocas en las que ciertos aspectos religiosos le perdieron la creatividad desde mi punto de vista, busca la fusión, ya sea blues, rock, pop, rock, pero lo importante es la fusión entre culturas musicales.Hay pocos "riffs"?, no es el objetivo del disco.Una vez más, como fan de Carlos Santana, no me defrauda

“All and everything was conceived here in Africa, the cradle of civilization…” Carlos speaks with his voice instead of his guitar on the opening track of:'Africa Speaks'Which is the 25th studio album by Santana.On June 7 2019 Africa Speaks was released by Concord Records and Suretone RecordsAs of June 20 2019, it was the best-selling Latin album with 63,000 copies already sold.In Jan 2019 Santana released In Search of Mona Lisa, an Ep which Carlos Santana intended to be an introduction to Africa Speaks.Rick Rubin produced this album at Shangri La Studios during which time (a 10-day session) Carlos Santana and his ten-piece band recorded a total of 49 songs, out of which "Breaking Down the Door" was the first single released from the album.The album contained only 11 tracks. (Perhaps we will see a 'Deluxe Edition' of this release which will include additional tracks in the near future?)Africa Speaks is Carlos Santana’s conception of African rhythms and the music from the continent and consequently his production is a unique interpretation of fusing rock & Latin with a sense of jazz. To that end he obtained Buika to be featured on the vocals.Personnel:Carlos Santana: guitars, percussion & backing vocalsBuika: lead vocalsLaura Mvula: additional vocalsCindy Blackman Santana: drumsSalvador Santana: keyboardsTommy Anthony: guitars, musical GPSBenny Rietveld: bass guitarKarl Perazzo: timbales, congas & percussionDavid K. Mathews: hammond B3 organ & keyboardsAndy Vargas: backing vocalsRay Greene: trombone & backing vocalsFifty years later, after making history with his raw inspiration “Soul Sacrifice” at Woodstock, Carlos Santana’s guitar playing spirit remains a force of nature as evident on Africa Speaks in 2019.