Drawing on rock, salsa, and jazz,
Santana recorded one imaginative, unpredictable gem after another during the 1970s. But
Caravanserai is daring even by
Santana's high standards.
Carlos Santana was obviously very hip to jazz fusion -- something the innovative guitarist provides a generous dose of on the largely instrumental
Caravanserai. Whether its approach is jazz-rock or simply rock, this album is consistently inspired and quite adventurous. Full of heartfelt, introspective guitar solos, it lacks the immediacy of
Santana or Abraxas. Like the type of jazz that influenced it, this pearl (which marked the beginning of keyboardist/composer
Tom Coster's highly beneficial membership in the band) requires a number of listenings in order to be absorbed and fully appreciated. But make no mistake: this is one of
Santana's finest accomplishments. ~ Alex Henderson