KFIX Rock News: New Album Reuniting Classic ’70s Santana Lineup Due in April

It’s official. A long-in-the-works album that reunites most of the members of Santana’s classic early-’70s lineups is on its way.

Santana IV, due April 15, brings together Carlos Santana, guitarist Neal Schon, singer/keyboardist Gregg Rolie, percussionist Michael Carabello and drummer Michael Shrieve for the first time since 1971’sSantana III.

The album will feature 16 all-new tracks written by the band, two of which will feature guest vocals from The Isley Brothers’ Ronald Isley. And the band promises fans will be excited about extended guitar fireworks from Santana and Schon, particularly on what is being described as a “British blues-tinged” tune, “Shake It,” that features two lengthy solo workouts. Rounding out the group’s lineup for the project were two current Santana members — bass player Benny Rietveld and percussionist Karl Perazzo.

The new record — which features a modern image echoing the classic roaring-lion artwork that appeared on Santana’s 1969 self-titled debut — has been nearly three years in the making, with rehearsals and writing sessions beginning in 2013, and recording continuing through 2014 and 2015.

“It was magical,” Carlos Santana says in a statement. “We didn’t have to try to force the vibe — it was immense. From there, we then needed to come up with a balance of songs and jams that people would immediately identify as Santana.”

“Carlos and I feel more connected than ever,” adds Schon, who along with Rolie left Santana in 1972 to formJourney. “We get super-aggressive when we play, but also melodic and poetic. We have an incredible dialog with each other on our guitars.”

The album’s lead single, the Rolie-penned “Anywhere You Want to Go,” will be available starting February 5.

Santana IV will be released on CD, as a two-LP 180-gram vinyl set and in downloadable formats, and fans at select shows on Santana’s upcoming Luminosity tour will get a copy of the album with every pair of tickets purchased.

Here is the complete track list of Santana IV:

“Yambu”
“Shake It”
“Anywhere You Want to Go”
“Fillmore East”
“Love Makes the World Go Round” (featuring Ronald Isley)
“Freedom in Your Mind” (featuring Ronald Isley)
“Choo Choo”
“All Aboard”
“Suenos”
“Caminando”
“Blues Magic”
“Echizo”
“Leave Me Alone”
“You and I”
“Come as You Are”
“Forgiveness”

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Images courtesy PRNewsFoto/SANTANA