Abraxas

Knew two of the songs very well, the rest is good

Groovy fun album! Probably won't make an effort to listen repeated, but I feel bad giving it a 3 as it was fun, rounding up to a 4!

great album. i heard the big songs on it and when i hear "Oye Como Va", i think of Jackie Treehorn's party in "The Big Lebowski". The Dude definitely would be grooving to this album as did I.

-my first Santana experience… damn this is realy solid. the guitar stuff is just as good as i was expecting and i absolutely love the Latin influence. this is what i’ll be listening to next time i go to Mexico or the Southwest -definitely due for a relisten as i know i’ll enjoy this even more a second time. completely timeless sound -Favorites: Singing Winds, Crying Beasts, Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen, Incident at Neshabur

better than i thought

Vrolijk wakker worden zo!

bas mi se svidelo, malo psihodelicno bas vajbi, mix nekog latino vajba i roka, gitare predobre, dosta je instrumental kao 80% pesama negde oko 7. pesme postane malo repetitivno ali mozda bi mi bilo jos bolje da slusam opet sta znam

The coolest

Man I love this album. Santana always delivers such a unique sound. The bongos and the guitar get me every single time. Feels like I’m deep in the jungle when the album gets started, and then Black Magic Woman has such a witchy, yearning feel. Oye como va is a fun one, feels like we’re at the beach with a marg in hand. A moment for the keyboard in Incident at Neshabur. Whoa. Se a Cabo keeps up a fast, rolling tempo and a nice keyboard sound. Love the switch back to absolute rock sesh in Mother’s Daughter. The album does a good job of keeping a consistent sound palette while still giving a lot of variety between songs. It keeps things short and sweet while still delivering kick ass music. There’s a lot of little bits in here that I think maybe Fleetwood Mac drew inspiration from, or maybe it was just the sound of the decade. Not sure but I want to dig in more. Another amazing album back to back.

This was a very very solid album. Especially listenable after the past week of meh. The songs got to the point, didn’t overstay their welcome, and other than Carlos Santana’s guitar-ing, the rhythm section was easily the highlight for me — they kept it lively through the whole album. I didn’t realize that almost every Santana song I knew came from this album lol. Not a whole lot of technical notes since this is a more jamm-y album. Just good, clean, family fun like a Spielberg movie. 7/10 Song notes: - The lead-in from Singing Winds, Crying Beasts into Black Magic Woman was such a great one-two punch to start the album - Idk if I’m the only one that heard The Lick during Oye Como Va but that made me laugh Favorites: - Black Magic Woman - Oye Como Va - Incident at Neshabur - Samba Pa Ti

Bangers!

Of course there were a lot of guitar heroes at Woodstock in 69. Alvin Lee, Jerry Garcia, Pete Townsend, John Fogerty, Robbie Robertson, and the man himself, Jimi Hendrix. But Carlos Santana was the one who came as a shock. When his band strutted through a fiery "Soul Sacrifice" it was the last moment he would be unknown. His first album was the calling card, saying, "Here I am. This is what I do." But this second album was the one where things really caught fire. Originals, covers of Fleetwood Mac and Tito Puente, all dished up in Latin Fusion and Santana's stinging guitar tone. There is a kind of magic on this album. Santana loved B. B. King, and there is something of Lucille about his playing. But it's the blues from Mexico. And you can dance to it.

i really enjoyed this album!! it blends blues, rock and latin elements together really nicely. at times it felt like a story. some songs were super dynamic, while others more mellow. the tracks were sooo groovy. some of my fav were: black magic woman (love the vocals), se a cabo, hope you’re feeling better (kinda heavy: obsessed)

7.5/10

Un virtuoso haciendo lo que mejor sabe hacer.

Eu já conhecia "Black magic woman", não preciso escrever muito aqui, um ótimo álbum instrumental 4/5

Nice. He's a great guitar player, and the songs are pretty smooth.

Loved the Latin feel of this. So much so I think the noodle-y guitar of Carlos was my least favourite bit of it

The vibes are great and the music is addictive. Jazzy, smooth and laid back. Black Magic Woman is the obvious highlight but the entire experience is so sweet.

I honestly feel more or less the same way about this as I did about Beggars Banquet. I recognize that this might ostracize me. I have to speak my truth. It's quite good, but never jaw-dropping. I think my grandpa might've seen Santana live. Also Oye Como Va playing *the lick* is funny. W: Oye Como Va, probably others L: none? 3.5/5

Honestly, this album has aged a little bit from what I remembered. Fantastic album, but yeah. Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman, Incident at Neshabur. Fucking amazing shit. Sometimes ends up in a slight blues rock area that I'm kinda burnt out on, but his guitar playing is always transcendent. Great stuff.

This album is such a quintessential part of the early 70s. I don’t even think of Oye Como Va and Black Magic Woman being covers. I’ve always known them as Santana songs.

8.5/10

Good album

Carlos

This album has something great at mixing latin music with rock in that psychedelic, almost-instrumental sound. It really is catchy and, sonically, very rich in textures and so full of brightness, joy and many interesting aspects, added to an even jazzy feeling. And, although it is not much impressive, it really is a very well delivered album with lots of nice sounds and wonderful melodies. There is a great use of guitar in here too, being a main element that does not feel tiring at all, it flows very well through the different songs and sounds in this album. It is such a joy, and a great album, for sure.

Super fun

Santana are one of those bands it would be difficult to invent from first principles. A blues guitarist with a warm, blooming tone, an organist rooted in garage psychedelia and soul, and a rhythm section built around Afro-Cuban percussion: Tito Puente meets The Doors. It sounds like a formula assembled by somebody in a record-company office, yet Abraxas never sounds assembled. Its various musical languages have become so completely integrated that the joins disappear. That is why this works when so much nominally ambitious rock leaves me cold. The music is harmonically rich, rhythmically intricate and frequently virtuosic, but its complexity never points back at itself demanding admiration. “Incident at Neshabur” has the structure of jazz—establish a groove, then move the spotlight—along with gorgeous polychords, abrupt changes of mood and several distinct instrumental voices. Yet it remains physical music. The Cuban polyrhythms keep all that harmonic sophistication attached to the body. If this were prog, I would probably be losing patience; Santana never forget that intelligence is there to deepen the experience, not become the experience. The central tension is between Carlos Santana and Gregg Rolie. Carlos pulls the band towards modal harmony, Afro-Cuban rhythm and an almost devotional kind of instrumental expression. Rolie brings Hammond organ, blues rock, garage psychedelia and direct songs such as “Mother’s Daughter” and “Hope You’re Feeling Better”. Those tracks are the least Latin things here, and the latter sounds like four minutes spent inside the Fillmore West: one can smell the patchouli and visualise the oil wheel. The two sides of the band do not always blend evenly, but they appear entirely at home with the contradiction. The record gains strength by being able to move between them. Holding it all together is an extraordinary rhythm section. The percussionists do not insist on turning every composition into a Latin showcase. They serve the song. On “Oye Como Va” they create that timeless lope over the simple but endlessly fertile Am7–D7 vamp. On “Se a Cabo” they drive a psychedelic rush with congas and timbales, packing an improbable amount of movement into two minutes and fifty-four seconds. On “Samba Pa Ti” they loosen almost completely, establishing a pulse and allowing Carlos to ramble freely across it. Even on Rolie’s rock songs, the congas and timbales simply do rock things because that is what the music requires. Carlos himself is less a conventional guitar hero than B.B. King placed inside Cuban rhythms. The fingers can move quickly, but speed never displaces expression. His sound is lazy, warm and saturated rather than fully distorted; each note arrives, blooms and is allowed to finish speaking. The segue from Peter Green’s “Black Magic Woman” into Gábor Szabó’s “Gypsy Queen” is masterful. The tempo tightens, the percussion gathers force and British blues turns almost imperceptibly into a psychedelic rush transposed to Havana. “Samba Pa Ti” takes that vocal quality furthest. The guitar phrases keep tumbling into one another until the music reaches something close to ecstasy. It reminded me, perhaps perversely, of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan—not stylistically, but in the way a melodic line can keep flowering until technique is overtaken by expression. The track lasts nearly five minutes and simply comes and goes. “Se a Cabo”, almost two minutes shorter, seems to contain an entire evening. Abraxas repeatedly bends experienced time because the musicians know when to inhabit an idea and when to leave it alone. The album begins with “Singing Winds, Crying Beasts”, a shimmering overture that introduces its world before Carlos enters, and ends with the 88-second “El Nicoya”, giving the percussion section one final spotlight before everyone departs. That framing feels appropriate. Abraxas may carry one guitarist’s name, but it is not the work of a star and his accompanists. It is a locked, democratic band discovering what happens when blues, jazz, psychedelia and Afro-Cuban rhythm stop behaving like separate genres. I might have found all this oppressively patchouli-scented a few years ago. Now I simply take it as it comes, man.

Jammy. Dead-like.

Opening with an instrumental is interesting. It's kinda weird. I do like Santana, at least from the little I've heard. Just so enjoyable to listen to. Great album Favourite: Oye Como Va Least favourite: El Nicoya

4/8

Cool as fuck 8 / 10 Best track/s: Mother's Daughter, Incident at Neshabur, Hope You're Feeling Better

surprisingly pleasant melodic music) I listened to it with pleasure.

Really nice album. Much more than a virtuoso guitarist showing off. Well conceived and executed. Fun.

Way better than expected. Some real heat on here

Listening to this in 2026, it sounds roughly as cool as Maria Maria and Smooth sounded in 1999.

I'm not a big fan of Santana's Latin fusion, but the guitar play is immaculate, and the album shows it off with a high focus on instrumental pieces, although they're a bit too bluesy for my liking. It works best, I think, as background music in a restaurant, unfortunately, but it's still pretty nice.

Groovy

I really enjoyed this album. Not a no-skip album, but it's darn good.

I had listened to this one before, but I enjoyed it more this time and it sent my on a bit of a Santana deep dive afterwards. This is my favorite album of his, but I'll definitely be listening to more of them in the near future.

This just had that nice Santana guitar vibe and was well paced, not too long. Very enjoyable

I've got to give the boring and common review that this is just so easy to sit back and listen to. The guitar work is great and it's got an effortless sound.

Did two car listens and it wasn't working for me. Headphones kicked it up. A lot of stand out tracks besides the big ones. A bunch of sonic adventures packed into 38 minutes.

Ganske chill å høre på. Black magic Woman er en banger.

Sure some of the accusations of Carlos Santana just doodling in dorian have some merit, but he came up with some mighty guitar hooks!

Wanted to be a hater but unfortunately it’s very good. Great energy - so much work being done by the percussion and organ but Santana is also good at guitar I guess. Vocals were ok - I think they would blend really well with a Rob Thomas type.

Slow burn for me. At first I said, ugh Santana without Rob Thomas or Michelle Branch…and it will be mostly just instrumentals. But honestly it was great.

One of the must have albums in this type of list. It is a concise, powerful and psychedelic rock album that very tastefully intertwines Latin sounds and themes. 9/10 [KEEP]

Fantastic

One of the best 'sophomore' albums and an almost career defining work (until Carlos's spectacular 1999 renaissance). It exists in the shadow of a legendary Woodstock appearance and its Peter Green cover, not to mention Oye Como Va and Samba Pa Ti, give it some high profile rock classics. It's an innovative fusion of Latin American and rock but the album is more than a showcase for a guitar god - Santana was a band with even contributions. Those percussionists were highly influential to the character of the music. The penultimate track has echoes of the (recently ended) Cream. Artwork is reminiscent of some jazz albums of the day.

Really cool album, particularly the first half

Guitars go bwaobwao

lekker album hoor. maar is toch niet helemaal mijn stijl

I’d rate this album between 3.5 and 4. It’s a very easy and fun listen despite not being my taste. But I cannot lie, the vibes are immaculate. I’ve heard these songs in movies and TV shows across my life. So it gives me a bit of nostalgia to listen to them now.

Funky, shredded and electrifying guitar. What more do you need? This was great Oye Como Va surprised me more than any other song and will be on repeat for a while

Sometimes I wonder if Carlos has too much restraint and just want him to rip, but the first three tracks stir me up.

Cookingggggg

C'était drôlement bien.

8/10

loved hearing latin rock after all the previous albums.

I’m wholly unfamiliar with Santana’s work, but being a jazz head and listening to this for the first time had me mesmerized. The layers, the fantastic guitar playing, those incredible vocals—god damn. Definitely listening to this one again.

Sutil, íntimo, eléctrico, dinámico, juguetón. Son algunos de los adjetivos que me dejan ver la tonalidad única de Santana frente a los 70s, una mezcolanza de géneros realizada prodigiosamente por la banda. Un sonido envolvente y enriquecedor.

Another guitarist who's been on my radar but I've never really checked out. I recall listening as a child, though it would have gone over my head back then. The fusion of rock, Latin, and jazz isn't something I would have appreciated when I was younger. I'd have found it challenging, probably dismissed it as "too much going on." But now? I love it. There is just so much groove on this record. The percussion section all locking in together to create these driving, infectious rhythms that never let up. And then Carlos Santana just shreds on top, and the tone is unmistakable. It all works so well. The Latin and jazz elements aren't bolted onto a rock framework either, they're much more interwoven and natural. Tracks like "Oye Como Va" and "Black Magic Woman" are the obvious standouts, but the album holds together as a complete listen rather than just a singles collection. 4/5 easy.

Apologies to Santana, for only knowing his work that featured Rob Thomas and in M&S adverts, and for only just now realising Santana is the name of the band. I wasn't the biggest fan of the guy singing in English, but hey, it's 1970 and you've got to shift some records. But that's the only reason it gets a 4

Faltaron los ajos mientras escuchaba el álbum pero aún así fue muy divertido una de las cosas que le faltaba al rock psicodélico de los 60s eran más percusiones Siento que es complicado entrar a los que es santana porque musicalmente se entiende mejor desde el jam y la improvisación pero el inició de este álbum con 2 de las canciones más famosas de la banda hacen que el inicio sea más digerible y vaya creciendo lo mejor debe ser se a cabo y de ahí cae un poco pero es un buen álbum

the one and the only Carlos Santana at his finest

enjoyable

What a great psychodelic rock album, the singles are undeniable and very much essencial to the chicano music sub-sub-sub-genre. Oye como va is very much the main chicano anthem pretty much. But the rest of the album is a great listen and you can feel the crazy live energy they conjure with Carlos' guitar, the great percusion playing and the keys going everywhere. Another definition of an album that must be listened to from start to finish.

masterclass in guitar

I loved his guitar. Of course. And there were a couple of songs that surprised me. But knowing he is such a talent, listening to songs I don't completely appreciate, makes me wish he had created different music, more similar to blues, rock,... But to each, his own. 3,5/5.

Heard before?:❌️ Will listen again?:✔️

La diversité de genre proposé dans l’album wow. Les tracks ne se ressemblent pas et apportent individuellement un moment de fraîcheur. Dédicace à “el Nicoya” ou la partie drums est vraiment folle Album de vacances/10

Wikipedia call them a Latin rock group but I would say more Latin than rock. I was expecting massive guitar attack but much more laid back Latin rhythms and I'm a sucker for a good bongo beat. Can't be 5 stars as the two biggest hits are covers but certainly made the tracks their own.

Santana is really cool, Carlos is amazing at the guitar and the mixture of sounds like the bongo (i think) makes the ambience really colourful and psychadelic.

What an album. What a fusion. Adored it, adored

Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen Oye Cómo Va Samba Pa Ti

I enjoyed this a lot. 4/5

what a fucking cool album. beautiful beautiful instrumentals, feels very 80's disco groove

A second vibe in a dimly lit NYC diner album has hit the 1001albumsgenerator

Another edition of this album contains a Guitar Hero song that I was obsessed with. Black Magic Woman was my best song on expert mode. Cover art for this album is so cool. Also the fusion of Latin and Rock music just works.

goats for a reason

Today I learnt that Black Magic Woman was a Fleetwood Mac Cover!

7.75/10 - I really enjoy the Latin influences on the psych rock album. I think it’s warm, fun, and inviting. It’s a good album to vibe with or a good album to really pay attention to. Plays well both ways.

This is an extremely solid album. Black Magic Woman has always hit real well for me and the rest of the album is great.

I knew the singles except for Hope You're Feeling Better. I guess I was hoping for more guitar, but it's still very good. Mother's Daughter was a cool new find. Banger!

Awesome album actually. Hard Rick guitar mixed with Latin sounds. Works really well. 4.5 probably.

Damn, was this album good. Elite guitar playing and super smooth melodies joined together into some excellent songs.

Although not my type of rock, santana is clearly an incredible musician, shown by his fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and latin american music. His ability to blend these styles and sounds truly makes this a album you have to listen to before you die.

4/5 Rhythms drive the album. Leaving space for guitar.

A solid album with a strong Latin sound throughout. Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va were the highlights, but the album held up well otherwise.

Black Magic woman. Nostalgia do guitar hero 3, lendas do rock

Mostly feels like fairly standard classic rock with a Latin tinge. Nice guitars and keyboards. Obviously I was familiar with "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va". Solid songs. "Mother's Daughter" is a really great song. "Hope You're Feeling Better" is good too.

This album was great.

Santana at their very best, no difficult second album syndrome here.

El disco no se siente como una lista de temas sueltos, sino como un único e infinito viaje continuo de ritmo, percusión, fuego y esa guitarra de Carlos Santana que literalmente llora y habla.

tis gud. honestly I am biased so at first I rated 5, but for me this is like 4/5. Purely a subjective thing

While I didn't have much in the way of expectations for this, I didn't expect to like it. Although I also described it to someone else as "enjoyable background music," so maybe that's not terribly positive. But the chill vibes do settle into a comfortable place, and Santana's playing never feels wanky. It matches the song, and I appreciate his restraint when he could undoubtedly shred. An unexpected pleasure.

Santana is definitely one of my major music blind spots and I wasn't expecting much because I don't necessarily love music from this era that has a lot of meandering guitar solos and tangents... but I was quite impressed. Guess when the musicianship is that high those musical meanderings can be quite nice.

Santana music is always good

Yeah I mean Santana’s good. This album is good.

I am biased most of the time if I don’t know the artist but this album is good ngl

Que joya! Un sonido muy sorpresivo para la época combinando lo latino con el mundo de la guitarra electrica, no es que necesariamente no se haya hecho antes, pero su ejecución está muy pero muy bien hecha Mi favorita es definitivamente Black Magic Woman, pero es que no es como que haya bajado revoluciones después de esa canción en su álbum, otras como Oye Como Va y luego Se a Cabo son muy buenas, y estoy dejando otras por fuera Invitados a darle una oportunidad al señor Carlos Santana en su excelente álbum del 70

Oye cómo va and black magic woman are heat

I liked the ulbum alot,it's really peaceful,I also advice not listen to it in mono audio to get the full experience,the insruments and the sounds are ethereal.

Gotta love Santana. Mother's Daughter was the instant hit for me.

Another sick fucking album

toll.

Singing winds, crying beasts - 3 Black magic woman / gypsy queen - 5 Oye como va - 4 Incident at neshabur - 4 Se a cabo - 3 Mother's daughter - 4 Samba pa ti - 4 Hope you're feeling better - 3 El nicoya - 3

It was good. I don't know what to say

Liked it, knew more songs than I expected.

La banda sonora perfecta para soportar estos 30 grados de calor en mayo.

Great guitar album.

Enjoyable riffs and licks with a few songs I'd definitely heard before. I appreciated this record more than I thought I would, not knowing his back catalogue or ever having listened to his evolution. This made me intrigued to listen through.

Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Near Perfect - Singing Winds, Crying Beasts pulls you into the mystical world of this wonderful album. The guitar cuts through like a knife and focuses the music. Black Magic Woman then gives us a more conventional song. I'm not sure if I think it surpasses the original but it's certainly very good. Oye Como Va is a masterpiece. Incident At Neshabur is great, as is Mother's Daughter. Samba Pa Ti is another masterpiece of guitar work, it's just sensational. Hope You're Feeling Better rocks.

Funky gitar

I forgot how good Santana was. Pleasantly surprised. Great guitar from Carlos. Lots of instruments Jazz/Latin influences . Type of progressive rock. Three hit songs stand out Black Magic Woman written by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac Oye Como Va Tito Fuentes Hope you’re feeling better

Really enjoyed this. Santana has a really special and unique sound which I find very evocative. Will be worth a revisit in the future.

Jazz, rock, and Latin is a combination I didn’t know would work so well. The first half of the album flowed so well that I didn’t even realize I was like four songs in. Interesting listen, I enjoyed it very much

Besides the music, easily the best album cover so far I've found through 1001, the music is funky too

Opening track is fantastic, love the bells playing with left/right audio tracks. Each individual song is great, but they blend together more than I’d like and I start zoning out at some point. Upon a relisten, it’s kind of amazing how well the album works as one giant song as well as individual tracks. Great example of rock of its era.

It wasn’t too much my personal taste but I did love oye como va and added that straight to my travel playlist.

Ik ben in een vrijgevige bui. Dit is trouwens hoe je gitaren doet, duidelijk de centerpiece in sommige nummers, maar zonder ooit overweldigend te zijn.

Groovy. Would listen again

love me some psychedelic rock and the Latin American influenced, is sooooo goood. i find this one surprising, due to how contemplative and disposed to long songs and passages was this one, considering what I expected from Santana and his popular songs in media. At the end, I've realized that this is despite all, classic rock. Somewhat different, but follows the expected patterns of short singles being the recognizable parts to the public, and some of the others and sometimes, lengthier parts of the music were left to the album. And sometimes, those parts were the best. I think here is that way. Good and a fantastic vibe. And the cover is wonderful.

Love it. Exactly what you imagine an album with this cover to sound like.

The lack of lyrics on most songs unfortunately holds these back from being really strong numbers for me. I like the guitar parts, but when you hold these to other songs from that era, Rainbow, Sabbath, Zeppelin, the outcome is less favourable in my opinion. When they do have lyrics it feels to me like Cream did, with my of a Latino feel, I don't mind it at all.

Listening to this was a lovely way to chill out on a glorious, warm, sunny day. A mix of classy guitar with some Latin American style and rhythm and a bit of Acid Jazz sneaking in with tunes like Incident At Neshabur. Despite the morally dubious lyrics of Mother's Daughter, it rocks out very nicely and my standout track is the Hendrix-esque Hope You're Feeling Better. A classy 4 stars for Santana.

Fucking awesome! I loved the sound of it and he is such an impressively stylistic guitar player. Some great songs!

This rocked, despite it being listened to while having a very bad sad day. Sort of after I guess. It rocked though, super hard. Will relisten when in higher spirits someday lol. 4.5

Increible él como guitarrista e increible como te construye el ambiente y lo va cambiando rapidisimo a su gusto, musica de calidad en su maxima expresion 9/10

Really good, has the energy and softness at the same time, cool 👍🏼

3.5/5

Favorite Track: Oye Como Va

============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== --------------------SANTANA------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------ABRAXAS------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------(1970)------------------- ============================================== ============================================== -----------------CALIFICACIÓN----------------- --------------------★★★★☆-------------------- --------------------(4,055)------------------- ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== 1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts (★★★⯨☆) 2. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen (★★★★☆) 3. Oye Como Va (★★★★★) 4. Incident at Neshabur (★★★⯨☆) 5. Se a Cabo (★★★★☆) 6. Mother's Daughter (★★★★★) 7. Samba Pa Ti (★★★⯨☆) 8. Hope You're Feeling Better (★★★★⯨) 9. El Nicoya (★★★⯨☆) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE TOTAL 3,5+4+5+3,5+4+5+3,5+4,5+3,5 = 36,5 ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE PROMEDIO 36,5 / 9 = 4,055 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CALIFICACIÓN FINAL ★★★★☆ (4,055) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ==============================================

Solid album. Some really interesting changeups in the track list and obvious bangers like black magic woman. Did not expect to vibe with El Nicoya as much as I did.

One of my favourite albums of all

sí estaba cocinando ese we. ocupo oir los discos que según son más jazz fusion

I like the black magic woman and basically almost every other song except for the one at the end that ends way too fast on this trippy album. I never took any drugs before but I bet this is what it would sound like and a pillar man is based off Santana so I gotta give it like a 9 cuz it's so fine

This is the kind of album I want to discover during this whole. How it's outside my normal wheelhouse atmospheric and enjoyable. Definitely adding to the digital library.

BANGERRRRRR magique love love love love

7.5/10 Will I add this album to my library? maybe

Great album. Great guitar the whole way through. Black Magic Woman is a special song and the transition into Oye Como Va is so good. There are some filler moments, but worth the listen through and through.

It’s Santana being Santana. It’s funny how many samples of this album have ended up on adverts, mind.

hell yeah a lost gem (to me) that i hadn't heard since my friend back in high school would play this tape constantly in his nissan sentra. memories....

Tenho que reouvir isto Bacano :)

He’s such a genius

Wow -- classic Santana! Most of Santana's music that I have heard has been much more recent... and much more refined and polished. It's interesting to hear this more raw and unpolished version of the band. Theres an amazing fusion here of Latin (I LOVE that percussion!), blues, rock and jazz. I think the strongest element is the improvisation -- technical but also full of emotion in the moment. Black Magic Woman is a classic, and I really loved Incident at Neshabur.

Expectation: -> I see this album's potential, for me, to be similar to the high floor, low ceiling analogy. Cannot imagine that 1970 Santana will wow me. Yet, he is known as one of the most talented guitarists, has a great reputation. After listening: -> Was expecting mostly solo guitar. This is all good, some of it really really good. Especially enjoyed some rock moments and the guitar solos. The talent is obvious. If this is critically acclaimed, and I am guessing that it is, I can see why. Track ranking: Mother Magic Samba Hope Incident Oye Winds Cabo Nicoya

Great, vibey, mostly instrumental latino rock music. Rhythmic & interesting!

Inte lika gitarrunkigt som jag trodde det skulle vara. Det instrumentala låtarna var klart bäst. Bra perc som gjorde mycket för svänget. Jag kan nog sträcka mig till en fyra.

Tänk att bo i San Franscisco på 70-talet. Vilket drag!

Now that’s what I call musíca!

Great music cultural moment.

Very NICE my head was bobbin the whole album this is a very nice recommendation.

Playful and inspiring instrumental album that combines rock and latin music together perfectly.

Objectively the correct form of guitar wankery. Great latin percussion with some really funky riffs. Good (if sparse) vocals. Was in the vibe and didn't notice it had auto-played into non-album tracks.

Psychadelic goodness, enjoyed this thoroughly. This sort of music puts me in a trance and before I know it the album is over. Unfortunately it's missing the standout factor required for me to give it a 5. High 4

Santana rips and this album rips. Tempted to give it a 5 but I've given too many. 4.5

Great for vibing, songs are a lot of fun, but need more structure

Oye como va is so nostalgic to me

now this is a really good listen!

Better than I thought it would be while still being the album with the song every Boomer bar band plays

There are some absolutely classic songs here, and to me it has always sounded kind of timeless even though it is also very much a product of its time. The versions of "Oye Cómo Va" and "Black Magic Woman" have become, to me, the definitive ones even as they were covers of established artists.

Rate: 8/10. Pachanguero y rockero.

Very good album. Emaculate and captivating guitar playing over some Latin beats and riffs.

Сказать нечего ту би онест

very vibey. not my usual thing but i enjoyed it!

good vibes and fun guitar work here. wild that santana released his best songs almost three full decades apart. favorites: black magic woman, oye como va

Dude can play guitar

Solid album. Not totally my jam but some classic cuts.

Not a big fan of latin sounds (and latin percussion in particular). I found this one is definitely good, but not great for me. For instance, I know " Oye como va" is a classic, but I don't really like it. That being said, I really enjoyed the guitar work (for instance in the jazz-inspired Incident at Neshabur, Mother's Daughter, or Samba Pa Ti). I also like the fact that the songs I enjoyed the most seem to be the ones written by Carlos Santana himself.

On paper It’s everything I dislike, but I really enjoyed the expressiveness

Funky!

fun and groovy. Larry Gopnik open your heart

Great guitar work. 7.3/10

Fácil de escuchar y con buenas canciones. 8/10

I had a really good time with this album, obviously Santana is a great guitarist but all I really knew going in was Smooth, so I kinda assumed it'd be a little like that for the most part. But I was once again pleasantly surprised, this turned out to be a lot more mellow and groovier than that. It feels like a group of guys just hanging out having a good time, which I can really get behind. Great stuff. Favorites: Singing Winds Crying Beasts, Oye Como Va, Hope You're Feeling Better

Sexy as hell guitar playing. Solid album, not much for me to say honestly.

En extra för Black Magic Woman

Classic Santana banger

Honestly I thought this was a really enjoyable listen. Admittedly I was a bit distracted, but liked having it on in the background. I can't give it a 4 and I'm too lazy to re-listen, but like 3.75 seems right.

Probably their best

4.5

great!

Great 9/10

Carlos Santana is a fantastic guitarist and this is a fantastic album. I absolutely loved listening to this and I quite enjoyed that the majority of the album is purely instrumental.

Neat debut, it certainly creates an atmosphere. My standouts are black magic woman (being the famous origin of the track) and Incident at Neshabur.

An interesting and fun album, something that you don't hear everyday. Also it is quite atmospheric Fav songs - Oye Como Va, Mother's Daughter 4/5

It was much more diverse than I expected and I enjoyed most of it. I had only heard the radio versions of the songs, and the album edits were more interesting.

Santana is an epic guitarist; this album is a must-listen

Really enjoyed this. Great, long instrumental sections alongside some decent vocals.

each song grooves bigly.

When this album came out there was nothing that sounded like it. I was attracted to it because as a drummer, I loved anything with percussion and the album is loaded with it

Pure sweet grooves. A classic for sure.

Quite enjoyed this as a more laid back album, however not quite strong enough for a 5

Got the vinyl out for this one. Some of Santana’s best work. Fun album.

I really liked it

Some almighty grooves on this album for sure. Obv Oye Como Va is a huge standout for me, even over Black Magic Woman. Incident has some cool ideas in it and I'd never listened to it all the way through. I think I had it on an ipod as a teenager but always skipped after the first few secs. SE A CABO BABY that shit is sick, a bop a bop a bop. For Mother's Daughter, I gotta say, their straight ahead 70s guy rock and roll is the weakest thing on this album but it's still pretty sick! Way better than the contemporaries also playing "first distortion pedal and organ" stuff. Samba Pa Ti is a little more laid back than I had hoped, was ready for some Samba de Orfeu type. But it has a really pretty melody. I feel the same about Hope You're Feeling Better as I do about Mother's Daughter. Aaaaand El Nicoya is a quick shade of what I was hoping for out of Samba Pa Ti! This record fucks. Easy high 4. If you're out there calling this elevator music... I need you to learn to dance. Move your body in rhythm in any fashion. Not everything instrumental is "elevator music", just try to get some groove in you.

I just saw Santana in concert; they put on a great show! “Oye Como Va” and “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” are both great songs off this album.

conocía una canción: oye cómo va

I didn't know this album, but I know who Santana is. I liked it, great mix between rock and salsa sounds

All-time classic.

The ferment of the 60s was more productive than we can easily imagine. Everybody welcome! Afro-cuban? Sure! Jam? Why not? It is, to me, too easy to not recognize that a whole world exists beyond the rock radio hits we get overly familiar with at the expense of the creativity produced in that ferment. My only problem with this? Who thought 37 minutes was long enough?

When the jam hits for just the right amount of time it’s brilliant. Just some jams too long for my liking

Nice late evening listen. Send dad.

Great transitional album from the 1960s into the 1970s. Well produced, a great experience, and essential listening.

Enjoyable chill

Groovy. Into it. Good Friday night jams...

No other rock band sounded like Santana back in the late 60’s, with their latin polyrhythms and blues solos. Wonderful sophomore album. 4

Very nice music, good to listen alone and chill or relax.

groovy I enjoyed, but probably wouldn’t choose to listen to it again fav songs- el nicoya, mother’s daughter, oye como va

La segunda canción de este álbum me hace sentirme a lado de mi abuelo en este plano terrenal, la hipnótica guitarra de santana siempre me ha llevado a lugares y personas que amo incluso cuando me encuentro en un plano diferente. gran álbum para ser el primero que escucho en esta app.

I like Santana, easy to listen to

Number: 91 Date: 04/03/2026 Artist: Santana Album: Abraxas Year: 1970 Genre: Latin Fusion Psychedelic Rock Rating: 4 Notes: Before: ======= I like Santana pretty well. They're not my favorite by any means but I do think a list of 1000 essential albums has to include something by Santana. Probably even a list of 500 and maybe even a list of 200. I am surprised to see this is their only album on the list given the authors proclivity for including multiple albums from so many artists that were popular in the 70s. During: ======= 3 Singing Winds, Crying Beasts 4 Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen 5 Oye Como Va 3 Incident At Neshabur 3 Se A Cabo 3 Mother's Daughter 3 Samba Pa Ti 4 Hope You're Feeling Better 3 El Nicoya ----------------------------------------------------- 3.49 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= 3 my personal rating 5 suitability for this list 5 impact ----------------------------------------------- 4.3 composite rating

Along with Cream, Allman Brothers, Hendrix's Band of Gypsies, and the Dead this is 1970 jamband ground zero, exploding psychedelia beyond the fussy over-composed twee pop of London by sprawling out into improvisation of blues funk and jazz and, here, latin rhythms. The percussion and the guitar are the stars on this - constant polyrhythmic power and gritty dark overdriven SG tone and dorian / harmonic minor harmonies. The songs/writing and vocals aren't really much to remember but function as the vehicle for the jam/groove.

Heard this often as a kid and used to know “Samba Pa Ti” completely by heart.

That cover of Black magic woman was just the cherry on top, favorite Fleetwood Mac song, so amazing to hear a slightly different take on it. Loses a star for me because I love lyrics and this wasn't very heavy on lyrics

My fav Santana, doesn't feel to work out and cool album art

Lovely psychedelic jazz fusion stuff.

Heck yeah. Black Magic Woman is a forever classic

Fun enjoyable groovy

El álbum destaca por su profunda atmósfera psicodélica; el uso de los bongós es un acierto total, ya que logra evocar una sonoridad tribal muy envolvente. Sin embargo, el disco flaquea en su estructura general: al repetir los mismos recursos rítmicos y melódicos en casi todos los cortes, la experiencia termina volviéndose algo monótona.

Muy buen album para entrar a conocer a santana

Great music for a big summer cook out.

L’album s’écoute sans accrocs, avec une très bonne ambiance, du groove. Il accompagne à merveille un moment de détente (jeu ou dessin)

Sick cover, funky groves

I liked it. Few interesting tracks, and very nice soundstage.

Classic 70s

Easy to listen to latin rock.

A true classic of psychedelic rock, Carlos Santana has a magical and romantic sound that mixed with samba and a latin touch, works very well, also the guitar solos are incredible. Although I had already heard "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va," the entire album surprised and delighted me.

Vibes, sexy, summertime Faves on first listen Oyo Como Va Samba Pa Ti Hope you're feeling better

Great album

Quality album brings back memories of my dad who loved Santana

A really fun fusion of blues, rock and samba. It feels really jazzy at points and I like that the piano, organ, bass and percussion take centre stage at different points in addition to the guitar. The cover of Oye Como Va was my favourite song from the album, but I enjoyed the entire tracklist.

Like a lot of people, I associate Santana with that shitty song from the 90s. People told me he was good, but I didn’t believe them because….come on, he made that song. Anyways, last year I listened to this album for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. I guess his tastes just got worse as he got older.

Santana es un capo. Nada más que decir.

Story time: this was one of my dad's vinyls but I wasn't allowed to touch it because my mom said it was satanic. I've got to ask both of them why, I'm guessing it's because of Santana's last name, though the cover can't help. Brilliant songs, he really knew how to cover and the organ and vocals and guitar are out of this world.

Santana has developed a reputation for smooth, polyrhythmic beats, and "Abraxas" is no different. Latin rock with hints of psychedelia, particularly on opening track "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts", Santana energetically slides from tune to tune, many of which are instrumentals. Carlos Santana doesn't really need his voice though; his brass inspired guitar style is as distinctive and dynamic ever, and his more restrained, jazzy playing on "Incident at Neshabur" is up there with some of his best. He is arguably outshined, however, by the remaining members of his band, who perform brilliantly in developing this vibrant, rhythmic LP.

A prime example of an album I’ve completely overlooked despite knowing it existed. I used to see this all the time in bargain bins at record fairs and still never picked it up — no idea why, because this is fantastic. From the moment it starts, you’re dropped straight into that mix of Latin percussion, warm grooves, and Carlos Santana’s soaring, expressive guitar work. The rhythms are alive and constantly shifting, and the guitar lines just glide over the top with real flair. It’s energetic, colourful, and full of that distinctive atmosphere only Santana seem to pull off. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Blistering guitar against Latin rhythms — what’s not to like?

I liked it crazy it also had some crazy album art. The vibes were good.

Who doesn't like Santana

This is still amazing after such a long time. Did hear it very often in every decade of my life. Can still recommend it.

I am pretty sure that Carlos Santana is the most famous latin music artist in the world and yet I had only heard of one of the songs on this album. But when I listened to it I knew three. "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen", "Oy Como Va" and "Samba Pa Ti". There is an interesting mix of musical styles in this album. The latin guitar, timbales and cowbell is present, as you would expect. But there is a definite psychedelic rock feeling at the start of Black magic woman and Hope You're Feeling Better. With some distorted synth organ and vocals making it feel a bit like Arthur Brown. But then you have Incident at Neshabur that starts like Duke Ellington has briefly taken over, then Iron Butterfly takes over. None of it should work, but it really does. This is a hybrid album and I like it. (3.500)

Enjoyed this more than I expected! An engaging mix of hard rock, prog rock, and traditional Mexican music styles. Very listenable, very fun.

Very groovy and fun.

This gets 4 stars for Oye Como Va. The Woodstock performance of this is incredible. Sure the rest of the album wanders around a bit, but it does give a good sense of the 70s

I thought this wouldn't be "my thing," but I think it might be "my thing."

Classic fusion of psychedelic and latin, makes for a very enjoyable album. Black magic woman and oye como va are stand out tracks.

Dad always used to listen to this album. Nostalgic.

Santana is a late 60s/early 70s artist that I’ve overlooked (Erin would say he’s a 90s artist thanks to the generational triumph that is Smooth). Glad I’ve come around to listen to this because it’s outstanding. Great guitar work obviously, but the work is a psychedelic Latin fusion that works so well. The extended jams are engaging and well performed. And that cover, so cool.

classic

it was nice i really enjoyed it i wouldn't say that it's a record with"hits" or particular highlights rather something that you listen from start to finish beautiful guitar good vibes

It can be hard to overcome prejudices, and when I think of Santana, the first thing that comes to mind is that Matchbox 20 song. Because of this, plus his status as a Boomer God, Santana really started in a hole here. Damned if this wasn’t so much better than I ever expected. It is both surprisingly Out There, and Surprisingly Tasteful. Maybe he only became cruddy when he got his first ostentatious flame top PRS.

STANDOUTS: Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen, Oye como va, Mother's Daughter One of the most effortlessly cool albums ever made. This is the type of album you listen to on a tropical beach in the middle of the summer with no care in the world. No worries nor concerns, just pure smooth psychedelic bliss. I would also like to mention how well this album holds up after over half a century. I'm convinced Carlos Santana is actually a time traveler, because an album like this could be made in 2026 and still feel fresh and unique, let alone 1970. 8.5/10

Just a lot of fun, Oye Cómo Va being the standout

So groovy. So chill. Santana rocks.

piola, guitarras

The best kind of Jazz is not jazz at all; rather, it's the rock and metal bands inspired by it. Those artists who took the good parts (the instrumental smarts, looseness, mania), and abandoned the crap parts (trumpets). Santana's early work feels both loose and tight, jammed and rehearsed, and critically, they remembered that albums tend to have songs. This album has some good songs. Of course, without that South American style this would feel like just another rock band showing off. It's different for all us white boys sick of the same scales and tunes. It's a little bit witchy, a little magical.

I listened to this while reading some trashy vampire book and it reminded me that in one of the ‘Twilight’ movies, half the time is spent in South America. Mind you, a different country with a different language, but I still enjoyed the reminder. The songs were good as well, so that was a plus.

Solid album, and definitely a hidden gem. Not quite my thing, but I definitely appreciate having listened to it. Remarkably fun Latin rock with some sweet jazz thrown in. Doesn't overstay its welcome, each song has a unique vibe and some great guitar riffs. Would happily listen again.

Great allbum

I really like the musical explorations they take on this album. I love a good jam band, and while Santana is not a jam band, there’s similarities in getting lost in the music. They are incredibly tight and focused and everyone is playing perfectly in groove with each other. They are truly at the top of their game. A great album for this list.

Santana is a master of the Latin groove and he delivers it very well on all of the tracks of this album. Then when you couple in his icy guitar licks, Abraxas is something to really listen to.

Smooth guitar licks fronting these classic rock tunes, memorably accompanied by the Latin rhythms of the congas and timbales. While the album veers too jazzy for my liking, the quality cannot be denied.

Álbum incrível, com muita personalidade e uma identidade clara e única. As intervenções do Santana com a guitarra são super naturais e tão subtis que nem te dás conta que é o suposto protagonista. tudo muito bem integrado e com um groove latino que te convence sem muito esforço a balançar na cadeira. Certamente um álbum que revisitarei.

I love Santana. Oye Como Va...one of those rare instances where a cover is vastly superior to the original. Incident at Neshabur is Steely Dan's favorite Santana song. I love the electric piano/organ. Samba Pa Ti is like West Coast Latin Allman Brothers, great song. Of course it's Steely Dan that autoplays after the album is over.

Some legendary tunes.

Had no idea what to expect, but it's such a vibe. Some instrumental, some vocal tracks. Feels like I could be in Miami in 1970 on a sunny day, walking on the streets, maybe going into a diner for a burger or to a mexican restaurant. Looking at cool cars, enjoying life. Kinda jazzy, great guitar parts, organ sometimes. Some enjoyable Latin beats/rhythms/instruments. Get surfy vibes sometimes and it's chill and fun. Nice first album from this site.

Third one in a row that ive already listened to. Its decent, got me into Santana. 7/10 Favorite tracks: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen and Oye Como Va

This is when Carlos Santana became a legend, in my book. Oye Como Va is timeless, as is Black Magic Woman, but the other tunes in this short album are quite enjoyable, as well.

Love it

Rewatched the Big Lebowski this summer and my new favorite joke in it is when the Dude’s car gets trashed and they cut to them driving without a windshield eating burgers and listening to Oye Como Va.

This is such a unique album. Santana is a straight up American rock band. But the Latin roots and African rhythms are so heavy and influential here that they go way beyond American rock. Plus there's a Fleetwood Mac cover!? I'm still not a huge Santana fan but I really enjoyed this album. I'd highly recommend it.

Luv sum Santana. This albums fun with great Latin flare!

A very good album, especially given how heavily focused it is on instrumentals. Funky, smooth, guitar-heavy. In many ways a landmark.

Pretty good stuff

Saved? ✅ Would listen again? ✅ Would recommend to anyone? ✅ Would buy on Vinyl? ✅

Good jazzy Latino tunes.

Groovy baby

Creative and unique

It's hard not to be taken by an album that sounds like the artists are having a blast being in their element. I was familiar with some of Santana's stuff thanks to my dad's introduction, and it was fun discovering more of his work. It's a beautifully chaotic jam that had me shifting between bopping along and simply admiring the talent and enthusiasm.

Excellent album. Some classic tunes and just great musicianship overall.

black magic woman is such a banger thank u fleetwood mac

This was surprisingly cool fusion-y stuff. I was expecting it to be a little cheesy from what I knew of him, but I enjoyed.

Great, enjoyed listening

Loved the mix between jazz guitar , Latin style, and a reggae feel!

Es Santana. Guitarra copada con orígenes latinos, medio salsoso. Es único.

Not often that you have a guitar player that seems to almost speak to you through his playing. Quite a mystical power.

It's fine. Doesn't sound much different from many other guitar bands of the era. Personally I find they all start to sound the same

What a nice listening experience, just really great guitar work throughout that elevates this groovy experience. Also, it has such great influences from Latin music as well as jazz and rock. Santana has the stuff.

Not bad. I’m not a huge fan of long guitar solos but the drums make up for it

Super cool! Mars volta is an all time fav of mine and I can see a lot of influences in this one. Awesome!

Good i fw the latin percussion and i fw u and i used to crack to black magic woman

carlos santana, disco de la canción "oye como va, mi ritmo, bueno pa gosar", movido, muy musical, sample de cancin del chojin y wyoming, hope you are feeling better, 4/5

The latin-rock mix worked incredibly well and very clean production throughout.

Landmark album from a time when Rory Gallagher and Horslips were celtic rock kings in Ireland. Prominent latin vibe in addition to rock influences.

1.Cool sans plus 2.Excellent 3.Rythme latin, fusion. Bon arrangement, rock-latin fusion. Très cool 4.Arrangements incroyable, très cool 5.mid 6.Vocal, très cool!! 7.Sympa un peu prog, 8. bien 9. ok Très sympa, album fusion latino-rock-jazzy 3.5+/5

Acid drenched Latin grooves and face melting solos. This is so much better than the later stuff that was too awful for words. It does sometimes blend into one long track, but I have a sneaking suspicion that may be the point. It's like a gig on wax. Stick with early Santana, have a beer and a dance. Best Tracks: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen; Oye Como Va; Samba Pa Ti

awesome!

Black Magic Woman einfach legendär und auch sonst ein sehr schöner Klang den dieses Album habt. Von mir gibt's vier Gitarren-Saiten :P