Santana – In Search Of Mona Lisa EP

Santana

In Search Of Mona Lisa EP

(Concord Records)

I really like Carlos’ Santana’s occasional sorties into tangential projects. This release was triggered by his viewing of the famous Mona Lisa painting in The Louvre in Paris. It set his imagination running resulting in these three new cuts (plus two edit versions) which feature his wife on drums and input from the wonderful Narada Michael Walden, there being something of his own first album Garden Of Lovelight seeping into the production here. Note the presence and contribution of longterm bass man Benny Rietveld.

Do You Remember Me starts gently before including Latin chords on the electric guitar…beautifully handled and distinctively Carlos in a straight unfuzzed tone. The band stealthily play along in the background. Echoes of the plaintive Europa from another era. Soon the tempo starts to sway and the guitar tone becomes edgier.

Wonderful bass runs thread the percussion patter. Heavyweight players untempted by overkill, what a joy! Singers Andy Vargas and Roy Greene sing together with an easy authority. Mrs Santana Cindy Blackmon keeps the tempo steady with the occasional subtle fill and tom tom run. At 7:45 the guitar resumes its spacey pleading excursion. Overall an enveloping outing utilising all the skill and experience of these players.

In Search of Mona Lisa next and a steady Bo Diddley beat introduces a tale of a trip to Paris and the viewing of the painting at the gallery. From the choppy emphatic wah guitar Carlos’ recent work with Ernie Isley has left its mark ! Of course memorable melody is never far away and it perfectly complements the strong vocal delivery. Cornell Carter take a bow for that. Jim Reitzel plays rhythm guitar and the rest seems to have been contributed by Narada Michael Walden. The surefire grip on the tempo never falters.

Lovers from Another Time seeps in on lush strings and snare rattling, hitting a shadowy groove with singing guitar snaking through the mix. Carlos plays across time as the other-worldly backdrop builds. Definite shades of Narada’s Garden album which of course included Santana, Jeff Beck and Ray Gomez among others.

Plus we get to hear the bass of veteran Ron Carter. All this adds to a cinematic vibe that is relentless and hypnotic.

I guess the Edit tracks will help out the odd radio DJ but aren’t essential to a fan.

Music that balances pure inspiration with tasteful execution and no ego trips from any participant. So very refreshing!

Pete Sargeant