Carlos Santana Mahavishu John McLaughlin ‘Love Devotion Surrender’

Posted 04 Nov 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1973, Albums of the 70s, Instrumental, Jazz/ Fusion

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#183 in the Series) is the 1973 release from guitar virtuosos Carlos Santana and Mahavishnu John McLaughlin titled Love Devotion Surrender.

This was released on the heals of the Santana album Caravanserai. Both albums somewhat mystified die hard Santana fans. Both albums were a major turn from the latin-tinged Jam Rock that was featured on the bands first three releases.

Santana’s second and third albums (Abraxas and the one known as III) had been number one sellers. Caravansarai peaked at number eight and this release peaked at 14. So the new sound showed an effect on sales. It would take the band 26 more years to hit the top of the charts. (Supernatural, 1999)

Boy men were followers of Sri Chinmoy. Chinmoy was was an Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher who emigrated to the U.S. in 1964. His teachings emphasized love for God, daily meditation on the heart, service to the world, and religious tolerance (a view that “all faiths” are essentially divine).

The album is also a tribute to musician John Coltrane. It contains two Coltrane written tracks, “A Love Supreme” and “Naima.”

Members of both Carlos and John’s bands play on the record. Billy Cobham also added drums.

Give a listen to some of this great music. This album sounds better now than it did back in 1973. Carlos and John still play together every so often. I’d love to hear another recording.