Illuminations [Import]

Santana | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Columbia Europe
• ASIN: B000006ZUV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,392 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Guru Sri Chinmoy Aphorism

2. Angel of Air/Angel of Water

3. Bliss: The Eternal Row

4. Angel of Sunlight

5. Illuminations

Editorial Reviews

Carlos' 1974 album for the Columbia label, a collaboration with Alice Coltrane. Five tracks, including 'Guru Sri Chinmoy Aphorism' and 'Angel Of Air/ Angel Of Water'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Carlos' and Alice's Celestial Wonderland, June 27, 2002

By 

Jinkyu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminations (Audio CD)

Of the five albums from Carlos Santana's jazzy period, four can be described as jazz/rock, altho the latter term is sometimes a stretch. Illuminations, Carlos' joint effort with Alice Coltrane, John's widow, cannot be so characterized at all except for one of the four instrumental tracks, "Angel of Sunlight." This jazz/rock fusion, also steeped in raga, is a showcase for the sort of fine guitar soloing expected from Carlos, as well as Santana-style percussion, good bass work, etc. The other three songs are jazz/classical. They are richly textured orchestral arrangements, heavy with sweeping strings arranged by Alice, who herself plays harp and mellotron. Jules Broussard plays flute as well as saxophone. (Where is that Santana percussion section?) Carlos' chief contribution is exquisite, sweet guitar notes, not ripping solos. The result is a majestic, celestial atmosphere, reflecting Carlos' and Alice's spiritual focus of the time. The song titles tell the story: "Angel of Air/Angel of Water," "Bliss: The Eternal Now," and the title cut. This music is not what you normally expect from Santana, but is very pleasant, very lovely, for sure.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carlos Santana at his BEST!, July 30, 2007

By 

J R (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminations (Audio CD)

I opine that this has to be Carlos Santana's BEST work EVER. With Alice Coltrane on harp and the beautiful arrangement for small orchestra, this album transports me to the place with all the angels in the picture on the album cover. This is truly a spiritual album and enables me to experience a myriad of many emotions and feelings of which the human mind is capable. This music is timeless and you can really feel LOVE emanating from the music. The album starts out more melodic then gradually melds into a beautiful chaotic kind of fusion reminiscent of the mid to late 70s, all the while still being beautifully chaotic and captivating! This is a prized possession in my music collection. Illuminations used to be out of print for quite awhile, so NOW is the time to buy this beautiful and spiritual album while you can. This album is best listened to in the dark with a good set of headphones, some Ruh Khus incense (made by Primo), and just the lights from your stereo components (or any other party lights you have to hang up). You'll think you died and went to Heaven. Yes, it's THAT GOOD of an album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who dares, Win., January 9, 2007

By 

W. Noshie (Beirut, Lebanon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Illuminations (Audio CD)

This is another daring Fusion Jazz Rock musical work for Carlos Santana.
Anybody who bought this album some 30 years ago hardly understood this musical work, since Santana's audiences were totally into different kind of music. For that reason Illuminations was the first Santana release not to go to Gold.
After the release of "love, Devotion and Surrender" and "Caravanserai", both in 1972, Santana continued exploring different routes from the Rock and Latin sounds he already was famous for.
On this album Santana is fully into Fusion, Jazz and Rock; with David Holland on bass, Tom Coster on Keyboards and Alice Coltrane on Harp, topped by a Classical 18 member band. The result is one of Santana's finest accomplishments.
This album is mainly for the lovers of Fusion Jazz Rock, Santana fans and any guitar great sound lover.
If you like this album, make sure to listen to "caravanserai" and "Love, Devotion and Surrender as well". 3 Santana albums that go hand in hand.