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New Santana Album "Africa Speaks"


Santana has a new album out; since it's not quite jazz, and I'm not sure if it's Rock, I'll just throw it up for grabs and see who likes it.

Africa Speaks is inspired by music from the continent of Africa, and has been called a "unique fusion of rock, Latin and jazz". Many of the album's tracks were recorded in one take. The album features vocals from Spanish singer Buika.

Africa Speaks was released on June 7, 2019 by Concord Records and Suretone Records, but this is the first time I've seen it on "you-tube"

Since it has been hard for me to find anything by Santana that I didn't like, I'll refrain from expressing my biased opinion.


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD4a7bAnhrM&list=PLW0qrlJ-5IPmYy6pMLK1wv4Fq8V3bIFMm



What do you think?
orpheus10
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Greg
Even via Qobuz hires I thought it sounded compressed and lacking in dynamics but maybe I let that overcome my opinion of the music itself.
Be tomorrow night before I get chance to relisten to it.
big_greg
6,670 posts
 
Uber, I didn't mean to single you out, that was intended as a plural "you" when I said if that's what you listen for, that's what you'll hear. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,017 posts
 
I am just in this crazy world for the third order harmonics
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
This recording, is where, Santana is now, after 50 years of doing his thing. If you are a Santana fan, I would be surprised, if you do not like this, to some extent. If you do not like it, because : it is compressed; it is not " Africa " enough for you; or, you feel he " sold out " ( as some comments suggest ), well, you and I, listen to music, for different reasons. For those of you who are going to listen to it again, try, and not think so much. Enjoy ! MrD.   
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Well I streamed this again late last night on Qobuz hires.
Was very relaxed and receptive.
Still think it is overly compressed and lacking in air and dynamics but.....

Yes there is some pretty fine guitar playing and it does have a cohesiveness to it that has possibly a longer term appeal than my first go round indicated.

Would I buy the album? No I would not but it is now in my Qobuz fave list.

I think it might do better on a decent headphone setup.
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