Santana/ Blessings And Miracles

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Santana/ Blessings And Miracles

Genre: Rock

Label: BMG Rights Management 

Rating: ***

In 1999, Santana released the album Supernatural, collaborating with artistes from different genres. Following its huge success, guitarist and bandleader Carlos Santana made it a habit, following it up with the brilliant Shaman and the forgettable All That I Am.

Now, after a long gap, he returns to the formula on  Blessings And Miracles, a title seemingly inspired by his ever-growing spiritual quests. It works for most part, as many songs are performed brilliantly, though you can recognise the Santana sound like the whiff of Brut.

The prize attraction here is rock legend Steve Winwood, who at 73, sounds like a twentybopper on a fresh-coat adaptation of Procol Harum's 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'. Then, we have now-deceased jazz keyboard master Chick Corea on 'Angel Choir/ All Together', lending a jazz-fusion touch.

There are the quintessential Santana instrumentals, like the energetic 'Santana Celebration', and melodic 'Song For Cindy', written for his wife Cindy Blackman Santana, who drums away consistently through the album.

Country star Chris Stapleton sounds fabulous on the catchy 'Joy', whereas Corey Glover of Living Colour brings in loads of vibrancy to 'Peace Power'. For the younger audiences, pop singer Ally Brook excels on the moody 'Break', singing "I'll be there if you break, I'll be there if you crumble".

Like most of his collaborative efforts, Santana gets into extreme diversions again. He ventures into hip-hop on the Diane Warren-penned 'She's Fire', alternating guitar fills with G-Easy's smooth rapping. However, what doesn't quite work is the metal excursion on 'America On Sale', featuring Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Death Angel's Marc Osegueda. Nothing wrong with the track as such, just that it seems like a desperate attempt to rope in the black-teed headbangers into a corporate clink-glass affair.

Finally, there is 'Move' with Rob Thomas. The team had produced the super-hit 'Smooth' 22 years ago, but things are a bit rough here, as this one sounds like they've taken the old tune, put some new lyrics and dumped them into a mixer-grinder. The only good thing about this song is it tempts you to play 'Smooth' all over again. Let's don't forget about it.

One may wonder why Santana has opted for the same formula of multi-artiste collaborations, specially after the mostly-instrumental Shape Shifter in 2012, the highly refreshing 2016 throwback Santana IV, featuring most of his old team, and the 2019 world music foray Africa Speaks.

While that may be a strong point to put across just for argument's sake, the fact is that a good chunk of this album keeps you riveted. Undoubtedly, one hears the same old guitar riffs again but that's been his signature, weaving his distinct trademark with newer sounds and strong melodies. While this collection has its pluses, one only hopes he doesn't make these artiste tie-ups a habit once again. Till that happens, Viva Carlos Santana (guitar riff follows).