Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles – Live! (1972)

“There’s the early-’70s-style instrumental modal rock of “Marbles,” with Carlos lightly shifting his wah pedal to lend a phased voice to his searing solo. The already classic “Evil Ways” is played up-tempo, with a horn section gusting in on the tune’s syncopated organ hits and raucous, jazzy solos by sax player Hadley Caliman and trumpeter Luis Gasca. “Them Changes” is also a bit faster and funkier than its original recording, done by Jimi Hendrix and his Band of Gypsys at the Fillmore. With this updated rendition taking place less than two years after Hendrix’ passing, there’s a poignancy to when Buddy Miles sings so fervently to the crowd, “Say yeah, if you’ve been goin’ through a hell of a lot of changes!!” Recorded at the site of a volcanic crater, LIVE teams the blazing Carlos Santana and his post-Woodstock band with the righteous drummer/singer Buddy Miles (of BAND OF GYPSYS fame). This sunny, outdoors 1972 concert in Hawaii finds the guitarist doing some of his funkiest playing, with added six-string help from Neal Schon. Miles offers plenty of his signature soul-drenched vocals, and Robert Hogins’ Hammond organ combines with the rhythm section to produce Latin grooves almost mighty enough to trigger an eruption.”