Santana Multi-Dimensional Warrior CD

The depth of feeling inherent in Carlos Santana's guitar playing is nearly matched (but not quite) by the size and breadth of his discography: since the late 1960s the man has churned out a staggering amount of material, all of which features his unique hybrid sound that draws on rock, Latin, jazz, blues, and other forms of roots music. Given the dizzying plethora of options, newcomers might be at a loss about where to start exploring Santana's' music, which is why best-ofs like 2007's MULTIDIMENSIONAL WARRIOR are an excellent bet.

Spanning two discs and ranging across Santana's career, MULTIDIMENSIONAL WARRIOR features 28 tracks selected by the guitarist himself. Obvious candidates like "Oye Como Va" and "Black Magic Woman" have been passed by here (one can find them on any run-of-the-mill Santana anthology) in favor of tunes that showcase Santana's spiritual commitment ("Let There Be Light") and his commitment to traditional Latin musical forms ("Samba Para Ti"). But Santana's cross-genre approach and dazzling six-string wizardry shine through on every track, making this generous set an excellent place to get acquainted with the music of this rock icon.

Photographers: Gregory Heisler; Fernando Aceves.

Unknown Contributor Role: Michael Rios.

Personnel: Santana (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass instrument, percussion); Carlos Santana (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion); Chester Thompson (vocals, electric piano, Hammond b-3 organ, synthesizer, bass instrument, drums); Ruth Cahill, Walter Redmond (vocals); Sterling Crew (keyboards); Gregg Bissonette (drums); Mike Carabello (percussion).

Additional personnel: Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow (vocals, percussion); Emily Cahill, Walter a. Redmond, Sandra Hunter, Ruth Cahill, Marjo Keller, Lynice Pinkard, Lovetta Brown, Kevin Star Butler, Charisse Dancy, Aylmer Cahill, Darryl Williams, Deanna Brown, Greg Walker , Larry Graham, Leon Patillo, Alex Ligertwood, Stephen King , Tony Lindsay, Tramaine Hawkins, Joyful Company of Singers, Buddy Miles (vocals); Chris Solberg, Jorge Santana, Raúl Pacheco (guitar); Barbara Higbie (harp); David Sancious, Devon Rietveld, Gregg Rolie, K.C. Porter, Alan Pasqua, Paul Schwartz , Richard Baker, Sterling Crew, Tom Coster, Paolo Rustichelli (keyboards); Pablo Tellez, Myron Dave, David Brown , David Margen, Alphonso Johnson , Benny Rietveld (bass instrument); Greg Bissonnette, Dennis Chambers, Graham Lear, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Michael Shrieve, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Walfredo Reyes, Billy Friday Johnson, Gaylord Birch (drums); José Chepitó Areas, Michael Carabello, Orestes Vilató, Armando Peraza (percussion); Edwin M. Harper Jr..

Mojo (Publisher) (p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he CD earns kudos for reaching across corporate lines and including music from all three of Santana's label affiliations..."
Paste (magazine) (p.67) - "His musical onslaught heats up on 'Brotherhood,' which, with a twitchy solemnity, reminds listeners about the importance of compassion, soulfulness, harmony and especially oneness."