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This set highlights Carlos Santana’s abilities as bandleader and collaborator, even more than it highlights his signature guitar soloing or frontrunner status as fuser of Latin styles with rock music.  Among thirty-three tracks, only three were composed by Santana alone, all of which are dated prior to 1971.  Santana’s best-known hits were written entirely by others; Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va,” Peter Green’s “Black Magic Woman,” and J. Zack’s “Evil Ways” have nonetheless been immortalized through Santana’s instantly identifiable interpretations.  It’s perhaps noteworthy that Santana’s Grammy-winning “Smooth,” written with Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas,
was not considered “essential.”  While it’s probably the most significant factor in making this collection commercially viable today, it’s not found here.  All the better; there’s more room for work showing true grit, like Santana’s work with the late John Lee Hooker on “The Healer,” and “Blues for Salvador” with drummer/bandmate Chester Thompson. (www.legacyrecordings.com)

Jeff Elbel 12/22/2002