The 1992 recording "Milagro" is a showcase for Carlos Santana's guitar virtuosity. Two of the twelve selections on this recording are *showpieces*: 'Somewhere In Heaven' combines guitar, keyboard and vocal solos in a combination with both strength and heart; while 'Gypsy/Grajonca' begins with a quiet flamenco guitar passage before building to a powerful composition featuring strong guitar and rhythm solos. Another four selections are outstanding examples of Carlos Santana's guitar mastery: 'Milagro' (with great rhythm solos); 'Saja/Right On/Your Touch' (with strong rhythm and vocals); 'Make Somebody Happy' (with strong vocals); and 'Free All The People (South Africa)' (with strong rhythm and vocal solos). Finally, 'Life Is For Living' features outstanding rhythm virtuosity combined with guitar and vocal solos, while 'Agua Que Va Caer' features excellent guitar and rhythm solos.

Today's rock music fans often don't appreciate instrumental complexity -- they expect complex robotic assemblies. In "Milagro" Carlos Santana combines complexity and precision craftsmanship with Latin warmth -- his *soul* is behind his music. This recording reflects a master musician's twenty-plus years of polishing his craft -- a long road from "my house is dark and my pots are cold". I recommend 'Milagro' most highly.


Beginning of the turnaround   November 17, 2001
kireviewer (Sunnyvale, Ca United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a comeback album for Santana.

In the late sixties and early seventies, Santana was a major force in rock music. He was a big innovator, bringing Latin and African sounds to rock. Later he mixed in the San Francisco psychodelic sound and then went on to jazz fusion. Throughout this time, his music was rich, lush and pushed the boundaries. There was a lot of energy and emotion in everything he played.

In the mid-seventies and all through the eighties, Santana swtiched to a stripped down, pop sound. Most of his hits were covers of old pop tunes. He had a series of unremarkable lead singers. There was no imagination to the music. It was just a matter of taking pop, adding a few congo drums and a short Santana guitar solo. However, his live shows remained exciting.

This album marks the rebound of Santana. He returns to the rich, overlapping sound that made him famous. The first three tracks are long, powerful numbers. The cover of Marvin Gaye's Right On is especially inspired. Also outstanding is Free All the People. There are some weak tracks, like Life Is For Living and Make Someone Happy. But, the CD is almost 70 minutes long and there is enough good music to rate 5 stars.

After this, Santana released the amazing live album Sacred Fire, where he took all his old hits and made them fresh and exciting again. Then came the Supernatural, the top selling ablum of 1999 and 2000.