Customer Reviews

Borboletta

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a Santana fan of over 30 years, it's great to see the man getting the recognition he deserves, after so long in the musical wilderness. Yes, Supernatural is a fine CD, I was a little sceptical at first, but now I play it often, and it works. But it makes me go back to the Santana that I grew up on, and without doubt I think the 2 best Santana albums are The Swing of Delight and BORBOLETTA. Why oh why this record was not a success is beyond me, why are people just interested in 3 minutes of music with a verse and chorus repeated, why can't people open their eyes and ears to the beautiful music that is out there, waiting to be heard?

I am no musician, and I can't talk in technical terms about each individual track, all I know is that Promise of a Fisherman still sends shivers up my spine when I listen to the opening minute, the link with the previous two tracks is seamless, and builds to a wonderful crescendo.

I am a huge fan of Airto and Flora, and their contributions are a very positive feature here, as is the crystal clear, almost spiritual voice of Leon Patillo. Practice what you Preach would make a tremendous 21st century addition to hymn books across the world, such a powerful message, both in words and music.

I can't tell you how much pleasure this album has given me over the past 25 years, if you're reading this as a new Santana fan, wondering if you should delve further than Supernatural, then go and buy this record, and open your mind to the real Santana, rather than the pleasant but commercial stuff that you already know about. This is music for the mind and the soul, music that will inspire you. Go and buy it!

Borboletta is a continuation of Carlos Santana's focus on jazz, beginning with Caravanserai and partially interrupted with the more-laid-back Welcome. As in Caravanserai, the majority of the tracks (7 of 12) contain no verselines. Two of the numbers with lyrics--"Life Is Anew" and "Practice What You Preach"--reflect a nod toward gospel, and "Give and Take" has a funky texture. The verselines are so-so, lesser than those on Caravanserai. Still, between the inconsequential first and last tracks, all of the songs have jazzy soloing that ranges from very good to breathtaking.

Indeed, Borboletta reflects a diversity of talent that appeared on it, in a period of transition for the Santana Band. Percussionists Michael Shrieve and Chepito Areas were soon to be on new paths. However, jazz keyboardist Tom Coster and percussionist Armando Peraza had debuted with the group very successfully on Caravanserai, and continued their fine performances here. Coster's piano notes highlight the beautiful "Canto De Los Flores." But Borboletta also has the key inclusions of two Brazilian percussionists and a Brazilian lady who supplies glowing choral vocals on the wonderful instrumental "Promise of a Fisherman." The flow of instrumentation from the Coltranesque "Here and Now" through "Flor De Canela" and climaxing with this Brazilian-textured masterwork is one of the most fantastic displays of heavenly musicianship Santana has ever displayed. Of equal stature is the instrumental "Aspirations," lovely, free-flowing modern jazz, with Coster's radiant organ and fabulous saxophone work by Jules Broussard. Carlos' guitar work on this album is terrific from start to finish, among his best, and the percussion section shines all the way as well (hardly a surprise). Borboletta is one of Santana's finest recordings, an instrumental tour de force, absolutely wonderful to listen to.

I've owned this title for over 20 years now.When I read Santana
bios they always mention this release as a commercial failure.
I thought I was some kind of weirdo because this was one of my favorite Santana releases. I'm so glad to see other people feel
the same way I do.You can call this head music or an religious experience, whatever, these songs can take you to another zone.
Carlos's and Tom Coster's duet on the beginning of "Practice What
Preach"is a highlight but Carlos closing guitar solo on "Promises of a Fisherman" and the final minutes of that cut are just inspiring. Stanley Clarke on bass is awesome on that cut, and the percussions are dazzling. If this cd doesnot move you, you need to go to E-bay and find yourself a soul.

I think this is my favorite Santana release. I tend to prefer the stuff from 71-74- which I think is superior musically, lyrically, and spiritually. It's not as straight ahead rock as his first few and what he would later return to starting in 78/79 with Inner Secrets and Marathon. Borboletta to me, is kind of the apex. It's the culmination of everything he'd done before it. It's not as jazzy as Caravan or Welcome, and it's not as straight ahead as the first 2 or 3. It's a great mixture of it all, which is why I think it's superior. And lyrically, although I know I'll get slammed hard for this, I think it's some of the greatest I've ever heard. Life is Anew, Practice What You Preach, and Mirage- pretty thoughtful, sensitive, introspective, and spiritual stuff, kids.

This is Carlos at his most expansive, free and heedless of commercial demands. Yes,Supernatural was a comeback: to commercial pop. Commercial pop does not need Santana. Instead of making another Supernatural in Shaman, he should have made another Borboletta. This album has his best band, his best vocalist and some great songs. This album is a timeless classic and sounds as good now as when I bought it in 1975. If Santana is remembered for one album it should be Borboletta.

Kindred to Caravanserai, but the difference this time lies in that the music is more lighthearted, not as serious and transcendental.

The opening track is by Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, (as is the last track Borboletta) a short-lived percussion / effects track, that leads seamlessly into "Canto de los flores" which is a beautifully laid back instrumental, accentuated with a haunting flute.

Track six is "Aspirations" the next instrumental that gives us a glimpse of what music must be like in heaven. A progressive jazz /rock piece with a beautiful soprano sax by Jules Broussard. "Flor de canela" however is a more serious instrumental very reminiscent of Caravanserai, driven by up-tempo percussion and blistering bongos.

Carlos does not disappoint with his virtuosity if you love those long wailing sounds, from that awesome PRS guitar of his as only he can do. You can hear him go to town on "Promise of a fisherman" another very satisfying instrumental.

It is rare to hear the saxophone on Santana albums, but here Broussard amends that shortcoming with wonderful phraseology. All up a very worthwhile addition to one's album collection and a must for Santana fans.

I have so many Santana cds in my collection, yet this is probably my favorite. Not many folks have even heard this 1974 release. I have been listening to this recording for the last 30 years and it never gets old on me!! Carlos is a genius!! This cd is dreamy, vibrant, intriguing, intellectual, and deep. Buy it, Buy it, Buy it!!!!!

This is a must have album for every Santana CD fan.
Borboletta is another studio work, showing Santana's feel to Jazz and fusion, fitting beautifully in style with the music of John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
It is Santana's 6th Studio recording and although this album did not spend lot of time in the 1974 Rock music chart (perfectly logical), it is surely a masterpiece for this artist.
This album is not a basic Santana rock album, yet a blend of Rock, Jazz and fusion.

If you like this album, you may want to check the following previous releases:
1. Caravanserai.
2. Love, devotion and surrender.

This album is not very well know for a lot of people even fans of the early
days. Produced after "Welcome" it as the same spirit then "Caravanseraļ" and sound closely to it even if there is new musicians.
It must be consider as a beautiful achivement equall to the first four albums. This remastered Japanese new version is absolutely perfect and sounds much and much better then the first print. A real pleasure to listened to it (again and again). But the great surprise is the artwork with is original color (metallic blue) not the blue that we have even on the original LP. Maybe the most beautiful cover of all the Santana's album.
If you like the first albums of Santana buy this Japanese version of Borboletta and you will enjoy again the great work of this unique period.

The first concert I ever saw was Santana here in Baltimore in 1970. A friend insisted that I go and Carlos and I have been connected at the umbilical and in the spirit ever since.

Borboletta is just one of many examples of Carlos' magic and soul. The musicians that lend themselves to this awakening are mostly masters themselves. The ebb and flow of the sounds on this CD will transport you and make you get down and everything in between. Words fail for the most part so let me end by leaving y'all a quote that I came across some time ago.

"For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul's own speech."

This is the best tribute I can think of right now for Santana and just one of many great works of his - Borboletta