Multi-Dimensional Warrior

I like the fact that Santana has collaborated with vocalists on his recent cds, but this release is the most uninspired of his last 3 albums. The songs featuring vocalists are boring in their "smooth jazz" approach. I feel he doesn't have much more to give, and is just going through the motions on the instrumental songs, as well,(same old, same old). Time to retire, or at least take a break to get the creative juices flowing.

You may not have ever heard any of these songs on the radio but this is Carlos Santana at his absolute best. Disc one is with vocals, disc two is all instrumental. Disc two has some of the most beautiful guitar work I have EVER heard. The songs span Santanas entire career and have all been released previously but the songs play like they were made to go together. If you like Santana at all, just buy this.

"Multi-Dimensional Warrior" is Carlos Santana's picks of his greatest hits encompassing his years at Columbia Records, Arista, and Legacy. It's a fascinating compilation, with styles ranging from blues rock to psychedelic to easy listening. Santana had the enviable task of exploring the archives, and this collection is perfect for the beginner. It's double the pleasure with the first CD having vocals,and the second CD having instrumentals.

Carlos Santana's family emigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was there that Santana listened to Jerry Garcia play the guitar, and that inspired him. With hits like "Oye como va" and "Black Magic Woman", Santana made his mark on pop music and Latin rock.

"Multi-Dimensional Warrior" has well-known songs like "Samba pa ti" and "Europa",but most of the songs haven't hit the airwaves. They are lesser known gems. The opening song, "Let there be light",blends Eastern sounds with gospel. "Spirit" ends with an African chant honoring Nelson Mandela. "Saja/Right On" is pure psychedelic rock. "Right Now","Life is for Living","Somewhere in Heaven" and "Praise" are inspirational,uplifting songs.

On the second CD,the opening song "Curacion (Sunlight on the Water)" sounds like smooth jazz. There's the lilting "Bella" and "Full Moon." There are Mexican flavors,like a spicy mole,in "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor","El Farol" and "Luz, Amor Y Vida."

"Multi-Dimensional Warrior" is an essential for any world music collection. Carlos Santana rocks!

Carlos Santana is proving on this album that how diverse he can be on this two disc set. The first disc is full of new material and standards, while the second disc are instrumental tracks. Carlos Santana proves he is that talented on "The Multi-Dimensional Warrior."

I have to agree with the first writer.This is a bland collection of songs that you'll forget.I bring out the older albums to forget this dismal effort.I am a huge Santana fan but this album was putting me to sleep.Two discs Two times the torture.Better things are coming folks but not here.