The Top of Everest
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 04/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This the second record from the original Santana band, is by far the greatest recording we have from this fantastic group of musicians.
First released, WAAY back in 1970. "Abraxas" was at home on both AM and FM radio. That alone is an remarkable feat that in this world is NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN... This record is impossible to ignore and is rightly regarded as one the very best records of the seventies.
From the opening of: "Singing Winds, Crying Breasts" it drifts in as from a Dream, then right into Peter Green's: "Black Magic Woman/ Gypsy Queen" and again straight into: "Oye Como Va". This is a one, two, three, knockout. Over the duration of these first three cuts, we have rock, jazz, latin, trance, funk and blues all fused together in one neat package. And then comes: "Incident at Neshabur" the grand finale/coda of this amazing 'movement', the first side of: "Abraxas" is as close to a "spiritual experience" as popular music will ever be.
It comes slightly back to Earth, on the second side as more rock music is introduced with the cuts: "Mother's Daughter" and "Hope You're Feeling Better." Between the insrumentals: "Se a Cabo", "Samba Pa Ti" and "Nicoya". that on their own. create: "World Music".
"Abraxas" is the one of the most important recordings ever, to come out of San Francisco. And from this point forward these musicians hit the cosmos of rock stardom. They would not be able to surpass the music on this recording, and in all fairness, how COULD this masterpiece be topped?
This record belongs in ANY music collection. This is: timeless music, it is as popular in Kenya, as it is in Kansas.
You can rip down the United Nations building, tommorrow. To bring the peoples, of our planet together....play them: "Abraxas."
FIVE STARS !!!"
Great Album - the Bonus Tracks Alone Worth Rebuying It
udiarnon | Israel | 10/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great album!! One of Santana's BEST. And the live bonus tracks WORTH rebuying this CD and get rid of the old issue in a second hand music store. GO (click) AND BUY IT!!! nough said."