In the years that followed, lineup changes were common.
Carlos Santana's increasing involvement with guru Sri Chinmoy took the band into more esoteric music, though never quite losing its initial Latin influence.
The album's mix of rock, blues, jazz, salsa, and other influences was very well received, showing a musical maturation from their first album and refining the band's early sound.
The title of the album, which features Mati Klarwein's 1961 painting, Annunciation, on the cover, comes from a line in Hermann Hesse's book, Demian, quoted on the album's back cover: "We stood before it and began to freeze inside from the exertion. We questioned the painting, berated it, made love to it, prayed to it: We called it mother, called it whore and slut, called it our beloved, called it Abraxas...." The word "Abraxas" has use within Gnostic cosmology.
Abraxas features a mixture of Latin influences with familiar rock themes such as showcased electric guitar, organ, and heavy drums. The album also demonstrates Santana's stylistic versatility, including tracks such as "Samba Pa Ti" (a classic slow-burning piece) and "Incident at Neshabur", both being instrumentals. The latter has several rhythm and time signature changes consistent with its jazz feel. Latin percussion — congas, bongos and timbales, as well as a conventional rock drum setup, expanded Santana's foray into Latin rhythm.
The piece 'Samba Pa Ti' was originally recorded in the key of G, and is in fact two separate unfinished pieces which were combined to a single piece comprising a slow emotive first part followed by an extended play out in a faster tempo; This piece along with 'Black Magic Woman,' written by Peter Green, helped underpin the truly unique blend of Latin American / Blues / Rock style created by the artist.
Side A
A1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts (4:48)
A2. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen (5:24)
A3. Oye Como Va (4:19)
A4. Incident At Neshabur (5:02)
Side B
B1. Se A Cabo (2:51)
B2. Mother’s Daughter (4:28)
B3. Samba Pa Ti (4:47)
B4. Hope You’re Feeling Better (4:07)
B5. El Nicoya (1:32)
Personnel
- Carlos Santana – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Gregg Rolie – keyboards, lead vocals
- David Brown – bass
- Michael Shrieve – drums
- José "Chepito" Areas – percussion, conga, timbales
- Michael Carabello – percussion, conga
Additional personnel
- Rico Reyes – percussion, backing vocals
- Alberto Gianquinto – piano on "Incident at Neshabur"
- Steven Saphore – tabla
- Robert Venosa – artwork, graphic design
- John Fiore David Brown – Audio engineer
- Mati Klarwein – illustrations
- Robert Honablue – mastering engineer original recording
Notes
Release: September 1970
Label: CBS Records
Genre: Latin Rock
Catalog# S 64087
Prijs: € 4.00
Vinyl: Gebruikerssporen
Hoes: Goed
