On this day in music history: October 24, 1970 - “Abraxas”, the second album by Santana hits #1 on the Billboard Top 200 for 6 weeks (non-consecutive). Produced by Fred Catero and Carlos Santana, it is recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, CA from April 17 - May 2, 1970. Recorded in only two weeks and released just thirteen months after their self-titled debut, it is an even greater success for the San Francisco based rock band. The album takes its title from a line in German author and poet Herman Hesse’s (“Steppenwolf”, “Siddhartha”) book “Demian”, which is quoted on the back of the original LP jacket. The albums’ now iconic cover art features a painting by artist Mati Klarwein (“Bitches Brew”, “Live-Evil”) titled “Annunciation”, painted in 1961. A major critical and commercial success upon its release, it spins off three singles including covers of the Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) penned “Black Magic Woman” (#4 Pop) and the Tito Puente latin jazz classic “Oye Como Va” (#13 Pop), both becoming FM rock radio staples as well as major pop hits. Sony Music issues a remastered CD of “Abraxas” in 1998 featuring three live bonus tracks. Long a favorite of audiophiles, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases of a limited edition double vinyl LP mastered at 45 RPM in October of 2016, pressed with MFSL’s “one step” pressing method for unsurpassed sound quality. “Abraxas” is certified 5x Platinum in the US by the RIAA, and is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999.

Oh yes, another in the burgeoning series of music (albums or singles) bought when they came out and Santana's first three album count amongst these. We loved Carlos and though he strayed from his original and roots of his playing and left us hanging for a while he is undertaking a current return to form we think. 

This however we adored! and you can tell why, as near to perfection as it gets . . . . 

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History