Supernatural back in the market

Supernatural is in the stores again. As I am sure a lot of you already know, this was the album from 10 years ago that introduced Santana to a new generation of music lovers in such a big way. Truth to tell, the success of the CD was so massive that record label Arista decided it deserves a reissue to commemorate its 10th anniversary. And so here it is, a new edition of Supernatural that includes the original album and a second disc containing outtakes, remixes and unreleased songs from the original recording sessions plus a 24-page book with new liner notes, rare photos, memorabilia and more.

The highlight of Supernatural is of course Smooth, Santana’s unforgettable collaboration with Rob Thomas of matchbox20, which spent nine weeks on top of Billboard’s Hot 100. The song made a huge star out of Rob and if you will listen to his later releases, you will surely detect the infectious echoes of Smooth in some tracks. Despite its massive popularity though, this is not the only great track in this groundbreaking album. It is actually filled with excellent examples of how Latin can blend so well with pop arrangements if a master like Santana is at the helm. This whole production truly raised the bar so high as far as contemporary Latin music is concerned and it has nine Grammys as proof. Take note that the only other album to win that many trophies was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Aside from Smooth, other great cuts in the album are (Da Le) Yaleo, Love Of My Life featuring Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford, Maria Maria with The Product G&B and The Calling with Eric Clapton. Also included are Put Your Lights On with Everlast; Africa Bamba; Do You Like The Way feat. Lauren Hill and Cee-Lo; Migra; Corazon Espinado with Mana; Wishing It Was with Eagle Eye Cherry; El Farol; and Primavera. Disc 2 has an instrumental version of Smooth, so great to dance to and The Calling Jam where the two guitar wizards, Santana and Clapton wow the listener. I say that there is no need anymore to think twice if you should get a copy of this Supernatural.

I am sure that many of you out there who will discover Santana for the first time with this album would want to hear more of his music. One of the most enjoyable compilations available locally is Ultimate Santana. It has a lot of stuff from the post Smooth period like Into The Night feat. Chad Kroeger; This Boy’s Fire feat. Jennifer Lopez and Baby Bash; The Game Of Love with Michelle Branch; Just Feel Better feat. Steven Tyler; and The Game Of Love with Tina Turner.

And best of all some of the big hits from the early days. She’s Not There, Black Magic Woman, Samba Pa Ti, Evil Ways and Oye Como Va. Even after nearly 50 years, these songs still sound like nobody else’s. You will surely agree that having created hits like these in the ’60s and ’70s, Santana was already assured of a special place in the history of popular music. But the guy had no intention of stopping there. So he went out and did Supernatural and became even bigger.

Now if you are one of those who marvel at his musicianship and who want to find out more about him beyond the hitmaker, you should check out Multi Dimensional Warrior. This double disc set of soulful jams from two years ago is divided into two parts, one all instrumental and the other of entirely vocals. There is only a hit or two in the line-up but the power of the music is all there. You will find here the unique blend of rock, salsa and jazz that created the sound of Santana.

 Santana started out as a fusion band in the ’60s led by the Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana. Though still unknown at the time the band was able to get a spot in Woodstock. Santana’s 15-minute instrumental performance of Soul Sacrifice so impressed everybody that it was later included in the final cut of the Woodstock film and live album releases. A record deal with Clive Davis at CBS followed and it was there that Santana would make its early hits. Many years later, it was also Davis at Arista who suggested to Carlos that he make an album of collaborations with young artists. The result was Supernatural.