rockofallages81-tvgda

Amigos was the seventh studio album by Santana, released in March 1976. The opening track, “Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana),” was a minor hit on rock radio. The closing track, “Let It Shine,” was a minor hit on the Hot 100. However, the instrumental track “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” was a #1 hit… in Spain. And a top 10 hit in Italy and Switzerland. Good for him, I suppose. In all seriousness, Amigos was legitimately a hit, but don’t be surprised if you don’t recognize anything from the album.
While Carlos Santana is a good guitarist, his legacy is… how to put this… hard to take seriously. Maybe this is just a “me” thing, or maybe it’s because when I hear people argue over who are the greatest guitarists ever, I never hear him mentioned. Whatever it is, when I see him in a TV commercial, I don’t think “that guy’s a rock legend.” Sure, he is one, but I just don’t get hyped for him.
Despite my own dumb opinion, Amigos is a pretty good album. All the musicians are great and the songs are paced very well in spite of their individual lengths. If you like jazz fusion, give it a go, amigo.