Product Description:
Santana: Devadip Carlos Santana (guitar, background vocals); Alexander J. Ligertwood (vocals, guitar); Richard Baker (keyboards); David Margen (bass); Graham Lear (drums); Raul Rekow (congas, background vocals); Armando Peraza (congas, bongos, background vocals); Orestes Vilato (timbales, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Greg Rolie (organ).
Producers: Bill Szymczyk, John Ryan, Carlos Santana, Gregg Rolie.
Recorded at the Automatt, San Francisco, California.
SHANGO features some of the highest-charting material that Santana would put out prior to 1999's fireball success, SUPERNATURAL. Producer Bill Szymczyk brings his crisp, Eagles-seasoned touch to the set, while singer Alex Ligertwood fills in on rhythm guitar parts, opening the way for Carlos to take the lead. "The Nile" is a slow-burning vision of a mystical trip to the river with an Egyptian maiden, culminating in a spirited duel between Ligertwood's soaring vocals and Carlos' bluesy shredding. The hit single "Hold On" is a pressing song of love and uncertainty with a bright, winning chorus. One-time Santana organist Gregg Rolie makes a welcome guest appearance on the thumping instrumental assault, "Nueva York," lending it his molten, Woodstock-era feel as Carlos offers a crisp, tremolo-bowed solo.