Back catalogue: Rock

Review: Santana's Abraxas stands as the definitive Latin rock masterpiece, capturing the band's vibrant and groundbreaking sound at its creative zenith. Released in 1970, this album showcases Santana's blend of psychedelic rock and Afro-Latin rhythms, a combination that moved audiences and earned Abraxas a lasting place in music history. The album features nine tracks that brilliantly highlight the talents of the band, particularly the 'Holy Latin Rock Trinity': Carlos Santana's emotive guitar work, Gregg Rolie's powerful Hammond organ, and the dynamic percussion of Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello. Standout tracks include the chart-topping 'Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,' the dance-inducing 'Oye Como Va,' and the soulful 'Samba Pa Ti,' each a testament to the band's skill in blending diverse musical elements. The Mobile Fidelity reissue, sourced from the original analogue master tapes, brings exceptional clarity and depth to this classic, making it an audiophiles and Santana fans ideal version to get.

Review: Mobile Fidelity's 180g 33RPM LP reissue elevates the album's sonic experience by sourcing it from the original analogue master tapes. Pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, the reissue boasts pristine sound, revealing the intricate details of Santana's dynamic arrangements. Carlos Santana's guitar work, rich in clarity and precision, soars with newfound definition, making his signature solos and leads stand out even more vividly. Inner Secrets, Santana's 1978 album, marked a significant shift towards the rock mainstream, featuring three Top 100 singles and showcasing a more focused, streamlined sound. This period saw Santana transition from their earlier fusion-heavy style to more accessible, radio-friendly material, packing complex passages and passionate performances into tighter song structures, with no track exceeding six minutes.Notable contributions from new band members, including Pete Escovedo on percussion and Chris Solberg on multi-instrumental duties, further shape the album's sound, complementing Graham Lear's sharp drumming and David Margen's groovy bass lines. Highlights include covers like Buddy Holly's 'Well All Right' and the Four Tops' 'One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)'. Greg Walker's raw, soulful vocals bring an edge to the music, embodying the "street and church" quality Carlos Santana admired. Inner Secrets serves as a powerful milestone in Santana's evolution.

Review: Carlos Santana was one of the most prolific artists of the 1970s and 80s, and later in that period is when he released his fourth solo album. After a relentless pace of an average of more than an album per year since his band's 1969 debut, this Grammy-winning effort was his last release before a well-earned break in that run. The largely instrumental album showcases Santana's signature guitar tones with plenty of signature soulful energy and masterful control over his playing. He was supported by a stellar lineup including Tony Williams, Alphonso Johnson, Buddy Miles and Orestes Vilat and Mobile Fidelity's limited reissue presents the album with audiophile sound quality that reveals enhanced clarity and the intricate details of Santana's playing.

Review: The 1973 album Love Devotion Surrender marks the singular collaboration between guitar legends Carlos Santana and Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, resulting in a spiritually charged masterpiece. This reissue from Mobile Fidelity unties both of the artist's quest for enlightenment, drawing inspiration from John Coltrane's work and their shared devotion to Indian guru Sri Chinmoy. Sourced from the original analog master tapes, this reissue showcases the album's intricate sonic landscape with remarkable clarity. The dynamic interplay between Santana and McLaughlin, with Santana predominantly on the left and McLaughlin on the right, creates an wonderful live listening experience. The album’s varied tempos and tones, ranging from delicate acoustic passages to powerful bursts of percussion, are brought to life with extraordinary realism. Featuring interpretations of Coltrane classics like 'A Love Supreme' and 'Naima,' as well as original compositions, the album blends jazz, rock, and gospel elements. Larry Young, credited as Khalid Yasin, delivers standout organ accompaniment, adding depth to the improvisational lines and ecstatic chords that define the record. Love Devotion Surrender remains a transcendent journey through sound, driven by two of music’s most visionary artists.

Review: Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water stands as a timeless masterpiece, effortlessly blending diverse musical styles with poignant lyrical themes. From the iconic title track to lesser-known gems like 'Keep the Customer Satisfied,' each song is a revelation of Simon and Garfunkel's musical evolution and collaborative spirit. The album's rich sonic details, highlighted by subtle remastering, brings out the instruments and vocals out like none other before. Bridge serves as both a reflection of its era and a timeless testament to friendship and musical innovation. As Simon & Garfunkel's swan song, it resonates with a poignant, bittersweet charm that transcends generations. This edition is released on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's limited numbered special Hybrid SACD. Consider this the best digital version possible that has ever been released.

Review: Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends stands as a monumental achievement in music history, being a beacon of the late 1960s while exploring themes of relationships, identity, society, and mortality. This concept album transcends time, earning its place as one of the greatest records ever made. Mobile Fidelity's 180g SuperVinyl edition, mastered from the original analogue tapes, elevates the album's brilliance, offering a listening experience that magnifies the intricate details of its recording sessions. The album opens with the gentle 'Bookends Theme,' setting a reflective tone before plunging into the experimental soundscapes of 'Save The Life Of My Child,' which brilliantly incorporates dialogue, street noises and an eerie echo of 'The Sound of Silence.' 'America' stands out as a heartfelt narrative, seamlessly flowing into the melancholic 'Overs.' The poignant 'Voices of Old People' and 'Old Friends' evoke nostalgia and contemplation, with the closing Bookends theme urging listeners to cherish their memories. Classic tracks like 'Mrs. Robinson' and 'A Hazy Shade of Winter' showcase the duo's signature sound, combining evocative guitar work and harmonized vocals. This reissue reaffirms Bookends as a timeless masterpiece, worthy of rediscovery and celebration.

Review: Styx and Foreigner and much-loved rock acts and they came together for an epic 'Renegades & Juke Box Heroes' tour recently. Nothing says summer like their feel-good anthems such as 'Come Sail Away,' 'Feels Like The First Time,' 'Renegade,' 'Juke Box Hero,' 'Mr. Roboto,' and 'I Want To Know What Love Is.' Foreigner's Mick Jones continues to drive the band with his signature songwriting and guitar hooks, while lead singer Kelly Hansen has rejuvenated the band for a new generation. Supporting members bring unmatched energy and help add to Foreigner's enduring appeal and Styx, with their extensive catalogue of hits and high-energy performances also impress. This is a great tribute to classic rock.

Review: Going on to become the biggest selling record in America in 1979, Supertramp's sixth album Breakfast In America is perhaps the quintessential historic example of a British album destined to "break the USA". As if forecasted in advance, 1979 heard the band take capital advantage of the bilateral "special relationship" formed between the two nations since the War, a principle which was of course thereafter reflected in the rock industry. After Led Zep but long before Sting, Supertramp would here spawn the likes of 'The Logical Song', 'Goodbye Stranger', and 'Take The Long Way Home', all of which were smash hits in the US but comparatively denervated back home, where they would only scrape the top ten in the Charts. Despite such an imbalance in successes, this show from the Pavillon de Paris captures the band back in Europe that year, both filmed and recorded in December 1979.