My Amazon Reviews: Santana "Ultimate"

So So Santana
4 out of 5 Stars

This would be a three star compilation if not for the Tina Turner version of "Play The Game," which blows the Michelle Branch version out of the water. It also shows up why this "Ultimate Santana" is overall a weak collection. Santana has made some of the most incredible fusion of styles out of the many 60's and 70's guitar gods, but by the 80's and 90's, he was churning out mediocre albums on a regular basis. You'll note that - other than the three big early hits "Black Magic Woman," "Oye Como Va" and "Evil Ways," his Columbia albums are absent from this set. That is because Clive Davis took a chance on signing Carlos to Arista, then shepherded Santana into a studio with a clutch of guests to record "Supernatural."
 

Carlos rose to the challenge, hooking up with talent that was worthy of his skills (Eric Clapton) and some that made him sound modern to the times (the inescapable "Smooth," with Rob Thomas). It was a flawless album that deservedly brought Santana back to commercial prominence and won a slew of Grammys (ala Bonnie Raitt's "Nick Of Time").

Unfortunately, that made everyone try to re-bake the cake for "Shaman," a much lesser effort that essentially turned Santana into a guest on his own album. Ditto for "All That I Am." Frankly, Chad Kroger of Nickelback doesn't merit the honor of carrying Carlos' guitar cases, yet here he is, singing "Into The Night." And while Santana's music may have inspired hip-hoppers and rappers, that doesn't mean they share his virtuosity. So Baby Bash or The Product G&B tracks? Phooey. Listen to the actual soul that Tina Turner invests in her song, and then listen to Jennifer Lopez. Like Santana, Tina has the goods. many of the rest of these "Ultimate" guests? Not so much.

My Amazon Reviews: Seal "Seal II"

Transcending the Moment
5 Out Of 5 Stars

If the debut album by Seal was an expression of celebrating life, the second was the meditation of life itself. A deeper, far more thoughtful album than anyone could have expected, "Seal II" transformed Seal from not just a terrific singer, but into a soul singer that few artists in the 90's have since matched. Even his look changed. The debut had the wild haired singer staring you down from the cover art, but now a naked, shaven headed Seal strikes the pose of a supplicant, head bowed and arms outstretched. It's almost as if he knelt to his muse and allowed it to flow into the new music.

The initial single, "Prayer For The Dying" was stunningly direct in its ascertainment of life in the early 90's:

"Fearless people, Careless needle.
Harsh words spoken, And lives are broken.
Forceful aging, Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,It's time to move on."

I remember almost going into shock the first time I heard this song. I was so struck by its beauty and acceptance, as the chorus soared into the line "hold on say yes while people say no." It remains, for me, Seal's finest moment.

Yet this is an album that contains many moments of musical bliss. The ubiquitous "Kiss From a Rose" became a huge and deserving hit, thanks to being in the "Batman Forever" movie along with the silky harmonies through the song's bridge. Joni Mitchell lends an appealing duet vocal to the hopeful "If I Could." For those who still need the funk of the debut, there's the opening call to action of "Bring It On."

Like on the debut, Trevor Horn layered a sonically lush production that suited Seal perfectly; this was one of the best produced albums on the 90's in addition to simply being a great album overall. It would have been easy for Seal to clone his debut or to have tailored his second album to the reigning hip-hop-pop albums of the day (Ace of Base, Snow, PM Dawn, etc). Instead, he created an album that maintains its integrity and depth as it closes in on its 20th anniversary. Seal didn't just act as a performer who mirrored the times, with this album, he became an artist that transcended them.