So, it's the 50th anniversary of Santana's breakthrough with the Woodstock performance and release of their debut album. And I just had to lament the apalling lack of digital releases of Santana Quad mixes. So far all we have is:
Abraxas (DTS CD, long out of print)
Illuminations (SACD on Dutton Vocalion, terrific release, but as much as I love the album, it is possibly the most esoteric Santana-related release, and as a surround experience it is good but not spectacular)
Lotus (3xSACD on Sony Japan. Stunning album and lots of unreleased material, gorgeous sound and packaging, but again as a surround experience it's not all that exciting)
I am thankful for what we have got, but really...come on! The core Santana albums on some kind of digital format are just, way, way overdue. Is anybody out there listening? Sony Japan - what happened? Michael Dutton - is there anything you can do? My mind is boggling and my mouth is salivating at the prospect of hearing Santana, Abraxas, III, Caravanserai, Welcome and Borboletta in surround. Sprinkle with some Love, Devotion and Surrender and I would be one very happy camper. It's about time!
Abraxas (DTS CD, long out of print)
Illuminations (SACD on Dutton Vocalion, terrific release, but as much as I love the album, it is possibly the most esoteric Santana-related release, and as a surround experience it is good but not spectacular)
Lotus (3xSACD on Sony Japan. Stunning album and lots of unreleased material, gorgeous sound and packaging, but again as a surround experience it's not all that exciting)
I am thankful for what we have got, but really...come on! The core Santana albums on some kind of digital format are just, way, way overdue. Is anybody out there listening? Sony Japan - what happened? Michael Dutton - is there anything you can do? My mind is boggling and my mouth is salivating at the prospect of hearing Santana, Abraxas, III, Caravanserai, Welcome and Borboletta in surround. Sprinkle with some Love, Devotion and Surrender and I would be one very happy camper. It's about time!