Description
Though it may seem strange now,Moonflowerstood for nearly 15 years as Santanas first and only live record released in the United States. This despite the fact that roughly half of the double album consists of new studio songs, including a zesty cover of the Zombies classic Shes Not There that reached the Top 30 of the singles charts. However unconventional, the split strategy went over like gangbusters. Moonflowerreached the Top 10 of theBillboardTop 200 and achieved double-platinum statusfeats the group would not again replicate for 22 years. These, and the beautiful quality of the program itself, are among the reasons why the 1977 effort remains viewed by critics and fans alike as must-have Santana. Significantly rooted in the styles and approaches that inform the groups first three records,Moonflowercaptures the final appearances of iconic percussionist Jose Chepito Areas and go-to keyboardist Tom Coster on a Santana album.
As he did during the preceding five-year stretch, Coster inhabits a large role here, sharing songwriting credits on a majority of the new cuts and helping steer the arrangements toward spiritually minded albeit concise directions that encompass vibrant Latin, rock, and blues themes that began to escape the ensemble shortly after his departure. Speaking of the past,Moonflowertriumphs on that level as well. In more ways than one, the live selections and the caliber of the performances chosen for inclusion represent an abbreviated greatest-hits survey of the band up to that point. And, at the very least, a convincing argument about why Santana had progressed into one of the most formidable bands you could hope to see on a stage in the mid 70s.
Simultaneously representative and illustrative of the groups breadth, tracks stem from the collectives eponymous debut,Abraxas, andSantana IIIas well as the then-more recentAmigosandFestival. Whether you fall for the sidewinding spell of a spicy rendition of Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen, lose your head to the positively epic momentum of Soul Sacrifice/Head, Hands & Feet, or keep dropping the needle on the savory grace of the brilliant reading of Europa (Earths Cry Heavens Smile), this pressing ofMoonflowerputs you and Santanas first-chapter legacy in good hands. via Label
Label:Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Format:2 x Vinyl, 12″, 33 RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo, 180g
Released:2025 / Original Release: 1977
Genre:Jazz, Rock, Latin
Style:Classic Rock, Fusion
File under: School of Rock
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