AbraxasSantanaDescription: EDITORIAL REVIEWS One of the most influential bands in rock Santana pioneered world beat way before their time with a unique blend of rock & Latin music that proved to be as popular as it was visionary. Columbia celebrates the band's 30th Anniversary with the label by presenting expanded remastered versions of Santana's first 3 albums. This reissue contains the classics Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen and Oye Como Va plus 3 previously unissued tracks recorded live in 1970 at the Royal Albert Hall (CD only). Santana's 1970 follow-up to their Woodstock-propelled smash '69 debut found leader Carlos Santana further expanding his San Francisco group's already broad musical boundaries. To wit: two hit singles that emanated from opposite ends of the spectrum--Black Magic Woman originally written and recorded by English blues-rock guitarist Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac and New York Latin percussionist/dance music king Tito Puente's infectious Oye Como Va. Tying blues rock and salsa together in one pancultural package Abraxas also featured such standout tracks as Gypsy Queen and Singing Winds Crying Beasts. The latter underscored the growing Eastern sensibilities of guitarist Santana. --Billy Altman
