Supernatural - Santana (CD 1999)

Watching the slowly-setting sun play an endless game of "peek-a-boo" with rain-filled clouds that are about to let down their burden onto the multitude, random thoughts go through my head. Thoughts dealing with such trivial subjects as my last year of HS coming up soon, the lack of job possibilities, and other useless things. Those thoughts mingle with other possibly more confusing thoughts such as thinking about the reasons why how come every time I turn on the news, another brother (or disenfranchised person if that makes you feel better) is either incarcerated, killed, or the victim of some random, unnecessary crime (Don't ask me why I think these things, because I don't know)..

While lost in thought, pensive, reflective acoustic-guitar licks surrounded by rousing electric-guitar melodies begin to play while a simple phrase or two (or three) comes out of nowhere and begins to resonate within my mind:

Hey now, all you sinners, put your lights on...put your lights on.

Am I a sinner? Well, I haven't really done anything that would make me good ol' buddies with Hades....

Hey now, all you lovers, put your lights on...put your lights on.

Well, for all my incessant charm and barely-there appeal, Cupid has missed a few times in my book....

Hey now, all you children, leave your lights on...Better leave your lights on.

When hearing this one, images of smiling, jovial-looking kids on milk boxes and post-it boards with the word "MISSING" stamped above their faces. Maybe, if they left their proverbial lights on, then they probably would have have been taken (Or not, since most child kidnappers are within the family).


Hold on...let me start the actual review...

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As ambiguous as all that may have sounded, it is what was going through my mind when, arguably, the best track on this album ("Put Your Lights On" featuring Everlast) began to play. Its underlying message marks the theme of Supernatural - that in all situations and possibilities, one can still find positiveness. Disregarding the fact that such message may have been muddled by the inclusion of so many superstars (Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, to name a few), the fact is that the message is still there ringing loud and clear through the spiritual sounds of Carlos Santana's guitar...

And spiritual he does sound on the aforementioned song and many others on this album. On "Put Your Lights On", his electric guitar provides the rousing yet earthy spirit to counteract Everlast's gravitas brought about by his poignant lyrics, dealing with trying to stay positive in face of all odds, and the down-to-earth, rooted sounds of his acoustic guitar. On another collabo (this time with Dave Matthews) called "Love of My Life", his electric guitar expresses the jubilant emotions sung by Matthews in relation to a girl that touches him spiritually (Notice a trend?). Together, they're a combination that reminds one of the last days of summer where restlessness and general amusement are replaced by a sense of weariness and slight trepidation (Face it, who really wants summer to end?), but tinges of sweet, warm relaxation remain....

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That are wonderfully exhibited on such songs as the hit singles from this album - the collabo with Rob Thomas "Smooth" and the seemingly hot midsummer's night-inspired "Maria, Maria". Interestingly, both deal with dedications to unknown females that spark the respective muses of the singers in each song. In the former track, Rob Thomas sings about a girl whom he has love that's as smooth "as the ocean under the moon" over Latin-flavored rhythms emphasized by snazzy horn trills, emphatic drum bombasts, and the always-sensual and spiritual sounds of Santana's guitar. However, if "Smooth" was the daylight and the luminous side of life, then "Maria, Maria" would be its mysterious nocturnal side. Admittedly filled with somewhat trite lyrics about a relationship surrounded by negativity surrounded by useless words from a man who shouted out the eleventh month, Santana's switch between acoustic and electric guitar adds sensual warmness at first (acoustic) to be replaced by spiritual reflection (electric).

Speaking of spiritual reflection, it is a feeling that emanates from other songs on this album such as the jazz-inspired "El Farol" and the brilliant duet with another guitar legend, Eric Clapton, named "The Calling". Both of these songs feature mystifying guitar playing by the Devadip (spiritual nickname of Santana) which makes both eminently repeatable. However, the light-jazz appeal of the former is traded for a jam-like ambiance. It's nearly impossible to describe how good the interplay between these two are except their gentle strummings/pluckings at the beginning are like the calm before an emotional, free-wheeling storm of combined guitar riffing - that's accompanied by a soulful choir chorus.

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The more upbeat parts of the album (in the strain of "Smooth") are where it loses its mysticism. For every enjoyable Latin-flavored jam like "(Da Le) Yalleo" (where the percussion and brass section of Santana - the group - shine together wonderfully in spectacular harmony), there is a barely above-average song such as the collabo with Eagle-Eye Cherry called "Wishing It Was". Santana s mystical playing confounds most people who listen to this song, but the lyrics bring this song down from the superb level it would have if it were an instrumental track. Dealing with laughably dreamy (past reviews of mine come to mind) lines such as "I always feel alive when the death bell rings" and "pain never makes me cry, but happiness does", it's as if the lyricist was trying too hard to be profound.

On the other hand, when the rest of the band gets their time in the spotlight, nothing but positive vibes are manifested. On songs such as percussion-based "Migra" and the jazzy pop-influenced "Primavera", Santana (the band) remind folks why they endured so long, even through several changes (Although, if I knew the beautiful language of Spanish, it would be a more enjoyable aural experience). Nevertheless, both of these songs are perfect to listen to in the last vestiges of the summertime - when remembrances of something beautiful and awe-inspiring are needed as the leaves begin to fall.

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Supernatural is the quintessential summer album. Even though the eclectic mix of guests makes for a somewhat directionless CD, the overall theme of finding light in everything makes it perfect for a spin in the summertime or any other time one wishes to feel elated. Full of Latin-tinged rock and jazzy pop, there is still something in this album for everyone years after its original release. Honestly, I cannot say if this album can stand alone from the rest of Santana's (the group) discography, but on this summer night, it is as divine as the sunshine.