From rockandbluesmuse.com on Africa Speaks:
Carlos Santana will be releasing his latest album Africa Speaks on June 7th through Concord Records. This eleven song, Rick Rubin produced, collection is an arresting and significant piece of work from the already beyond legendary Rock/Latin/Jazz guitarist and musical/cosmic ambassador.
After five decades of ground-breaking musical explorations, Carlos Santana is at the enviable point in his long career where he is free to follow his musical heart wherever it leads him. This time around, the 10-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has focused his energy on returning to the ultimate “source” of all things musical, and human: Africa. While I’m sure spinning these tunes would energize any Summer party, this isn’t a Summer party album. Africa Speaks isn’t background music. These are beats and sounds that instantly grab your attention not by clamoring for it, but by touching something deep and unnamed that you might not have known was a part of you.
Playing with family, familiar friends and some ridiculously talented guests, Carlos Santana and Rick Rubin have, seemingly casually, captured some musical magic on Africa Speaks that sounds both new and ancient, both spontaneous and pre-destined, both otherworldly and DNA-familiar. You’ll want to strap in and listen close.
Title and opening track “Africa Speaks” introduces itself with a spoken monologue, clearly stating the theme of the album and letting you know what you’re in for; a celebration of the sounds and rhythms that have been the soundtrack to our human journey since long before guitars were invented. A full two minutes after the opening spoken word section, the song finally settles into a piano and conga driven rhythm that supports a choir of vocals and Santana’s piercing guitar breaks. Carlos then ups the ante on “Batonga,” an aggressive, jazzy excursion driven by the poly-rhythms of the drums and congas, and aided by some equally fierce Hammond B3 work from guest David K. Mathews.
Guest Spanish vocalist Buika, a force throughout the album, is especially riveting on “Oye Este Mi Canto.” The tune launches itself sounding like a seduction until about halfway through, when the vibe gets funkier behind another crisp and astonishing Santana lead break. But even that remarkable tune feels like table-setting once “Yo Me Lo Merezco” starts flowing from your speakers. You don’t have to speak the language to be moved and transported by the absolute power of these vocals and mesmerizing music. In the lead break you can’t help but hear Santana’s heart and soul getting pushed out of his guitar. You’re hearing a pure musical vessel responding to the vibrations around him.
After all the chaos and catharsis of the previous two songs, “Blue Skies” slips in on quiet cat feet, with piano and bass building the foundation for a nine-minute jazz/rock odyssey featuring some luscious guest vocals this time from the UK’s Laura Mvula. Expect this jam to go long and strong during some upcoming Summer shows because, in a live setting, this song could go anywhere.