Santana
Africa Speaks
(Concord Records)
Back with a new album, helmed by producer Rick Rubin, Carlos Santana is keen to remove the scourge of over-synthesised muzak that all sounds the same and takes inspiration from the sounds of Africa..whilst not neglecting the Latin- blues-rock-salsa elements that brought him eternal success. Such self-awareness is highlighted by this comment from Carlos : “ “Three things: your spirit, your soul and your heart. If you find those and you really find them, you’re going to realize that innocence. Those things don’t leave you and you don’t misplace them or lose them. Those are the ingredients for you to have a glorious existence.” A long way from say, The Pet Shop Boys or Katy Perry. His wife Cindy Blackmon Santana seems to share this approach and vision, shaping her contribution to enhance every dynamic. As a huge fan of bassist Benny Rietveld…I gladly note his presence on the sessions.
So what is the sound construction here? Well a major contribution comes from singer and lyricist Buika, whose dark honeyed tones provide part of the glue that makes these selections impress. Starting the record with voices, rattling percussion and biting Carlos wah guitar, Africa Speaks provides a dramatic prologue. A steady and brisk tempo sets in and the guitar takes off over vamping piano. Fiery stuff indeed. The African landscape is conjured up. Next up is Batonga, very jungle in tempo with a rich chorale and that snaking PRS axework. The percussion is relentless, the bass tone kept uncluttered making the guitar sound even busier. The ensemble sound bottles joy and the Hammond starts to roll…odd echoes of Abraxas Here, maybe. How can an act over fifty years old sound so vital and inspired? But it certainly does and the excitement is piled on and on…
On to Oye Este Mi Canto is a more shadowy, reflective piece altogether..a subtle but insistent composition that sounds like dusk in the village. Here, Africa meets South America in its blend of basic pattering beat and impassioned vocal work, the tempo then switches to funk over a bubbling electric bass with squealing guitar runs. Then back to the stealthy backdrop for the playout. Yo Me Lo Merezco is immediately haunting and a tad bluesy, great Tommy Anthony second guitar figures. This has a kind of relaxed intensity that makes it a standout cut. Again the bass runs aresublime and languid. Things then get frantic for the coda ! Blue Skies has a guest spot from Laura Mvula and tender piano brings in the tune. A definite tinge of Nina Simone can be heard here, a sort of relaxed jazzy strut runs through the arrangement. Cries out for a video….Carlos keeps in the low register. The song then hits a swaggering heavy blues passage before a gentle ending.
Parrisos Quemados follows with a busy rhythm of probably Arabic inspiration in its similarity to, say, Songhoy Blues in its determined groove. Lovely mix courtesy Dana Nielsen. A real grower this one, like dark clouds rolling in. So much of this creates mind pictures. Breaking Down The Door tells a tale of a lady, decorated with accordion over a reggae tempo punctuated by sharp horns. It evokes the mighty Kid Creole – high praise in these here parts – with its catchy lilt and hooks. Manu Chao gets a credit for inspiration.
Los Invisibles is adapted from Barra Barra by Rachid Taha and Steve Hillage. Its loping time signature lends an appealing toe-tapping element, interspersed with dancing guitar figures and that grinding electric bass. The sound is cartoonish as it rolls along. Irresistible ! Luna Hechicera takes a sprightly tempo and a funk style as the drums and percussion keep things spiky. The guitar really dances on this tune, never settling and tapping in the wah for emphasis. Bembele is midnight music with a neat throaty vocal and it’s not long before the groove makes its mark. The mentholated piano is a fine touch. The axe part is kept clean and linear. To finish we get Candombe Cumbele and its emphatic stabbing rhythm and lively singing. A stellar drum performance makes this a thrilling outing.
The multiplicity of languages used throughout this release may not appeal to all, but as an excursion into geographical wonderment by truly inspired musicians this is a train worth boarding…
Pete Sargeant
Santana’s new album ‘Africa Speaks’ is out now on Concord Records.
Santana’s ‘In Search Of Mona Lisa’ EP is also out now on Concord Records. You can read our review of this here: http://bit.ly/2KdWa4M
You can purchase both records here: http://bit.ly/2Kddpmx
