Sean Trane If you’ve been in the Santana shelves of almost any record store, no dout you have seen many dubious origined albums featuring earlier than the debut live tracks dating from 68, before they got a deal with Columbia. Yet all of those semi-legit releases are probably about ripping of Santana, so finally (but much too late), Santana decided to make those recording fully his. This is the one and only official album, and should you decide to investigate the album, please make it this version.

If you love the first Santana group (it is almost the same group except for the bassist) and especially their debut album, you’ll be in heaven with this one, as there are some embryonic versions of four tracks from it. And when I say embryonic, the least we can say is that extended versions of Jingo, Treat, Soul Sacrifice and Persuasion are just as exhilarating as the originals. Yes, they already had their style down pat before getting a contract and no wonder they clinched one either. While there are some bluesy jams such as Fried Neckbones (And Homemade Jam) that are more excuses for lengthy solos, (this one previously available on those semi-legit releases I spoke above), there are some really rare tracks also such as Conquistador and Chunk A Funk.

All of the tracks here are superb and full of Rollie’s organs and have great percussions, Carlos really shining, but as usual always sharing the spotlight. Although on disc 2 there are some inevitable lengths (the 30 min+ Freeway), these never get boring either, but the congas/drums exchange is a bit expandable.

While there are many versions of these tracks, this is the only valid album, and I urge you to get the real thing rather than all of those cheap and illegal versions. You shall not regret either as the sound quality is much superior to them also.