Santana - Freedom (2014) [Hi-Res]

Freedom is the fifteenth studio album by Santana. By this recording, Santana had nine members, some of which had returned after being with the band in previous versions. Freedom moved away from the more poppy sound of the previous album, Beyond Appearances and back to the band's original Latin rock. It failed, however, to revive Santana's commercial fortunes, reaching only ninety-five on the album chart.

"Freedom marked several reunions in the Santana band, which was now a nonet. In addition to Carlos, the band consisted of percussionists Armando Pereza, Orestes Vilato, and Raul Rekow; returning drummer Graham Lear; bassist Alphonso Johnson; returning keyboardist Tom Coster, keyboardist Chester Thompson, and, on lead vocals, Buddy Miles, who had made a duet album with Santana 15 years before. Credited as an "additional musician" was keyboard player Greg Rolie, an original member. The music also marked a return from the hyper-pop sound of Val Garay on Beyond Appearances to a more traditional Santana Latin rock style. Thus, Freedom was a literal return to form, but, unfortunately, not to the quality of early Santana albums. And the group's commercial decline continued, with the LP getting to only Number 95." (William Ruhlmann, AMG)

Carlos Santana, guitar, vocals
Buddy Miles, vocals
Tom Coster, keyboards
Chester D. Thompson, keyboards
Gregg Rolie, synthesizer, keyboards
Sterling Crew, keyboards, synthesizer
Alphonso Johnson, bass
Graham Lear, drums
Armando Peraza, percussion, conga
Orestes Vilató, percussion, timbales
Raul Rekow, percussion, conga, vocals
Annie Stocking, backing vocals
Jeanie Tracy, backing vocals
Kitty Beethoven, backing vocals
Mark Keller, backing vocals
Pamela Rose, backing vocals

Produced by Jeffrey Cohen, Carlos Santana; with: Chester Thompson, Sterling Crew

Digitally remastered