Lotus (Japanese: ロータスの伝説) is a 1974 live album by the Latin rock band Santana, recorded at the Osaka Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan, Osaka, Japan in July 1973, during their Caravanserai Tour.
The Welcome album recording sessions were completed shortly before this concert, and that album was later released in November 1973.
Lotus was originally released as a triple vinyl LP in Japan only. This version of the album was later released internationally.
The 1973 live recordings were mixed in 4-channel quadraphonic sound and released in the CBS Stereo Quadraphonic (SQ) matrix system.
"Lotus" is the first live album release by US Jazz rock/fusion act Santana. The album was recorded on the 3rd and 4th of July 1973 in Osaka, Japan and released through Colombia records in May 1974.
The original vinyl version (which was meant to be a Japanese only release) is a trible vinyl release.
The song selection comes from the albums "Abraxas (1970)", "Santana 3 (1971)", "Caravanserai (1972)" and "Welcome (1973)".
There are also a couple of new tracks that hadn´t appeared on any of the earlier studio albums. The lineup consists of a mix of the members from the original Santana group and the members of the post-"Caravanserai (1972)" Santana lineup.
The music on the album is focused on the instrumental jazz rock/fusion songs from the band´s discography while the already few vocal based tracks in the discography are even fewer on "Lotus".
The most famous of the latter type "Black Magic Woman" is of course featured though. The musicianship is outstanding on the album.
There is such an obvious joy about playing music which is contagious to say the least. The tracks from the excellent "Caravanserai (1972)" album are absolutely stunning in the live versions.
A track like "Every Step of the Way" is simply smoking hot and about to catch fire, but the tracks from the other albums are excellent too.
There is only one weak point about the album and that´s the 9:58 minute long drum solo. I have never found drum solos or any solos without music playing underneath very interesting and this time is no exception.
The drum solo is of course played with virtuosic skill but I still find it hard to appreciate because it´s so long. Guitarist Carlos Santana is given lots of spotlight and his floating organic guitar solo style graces most songs.
The latin percussion is as prominant as ever in the music and the keyboards/organ playing by Tom Coster really brings a lot to the sound too.
Side one
1. Meditation (from Love Devotion Surrender) - 1:40
2. Going Home (from Welcome) - 2:53
3. A-1 Funk (new track) - 3:13
4. Every Step of the Way (from Caravanserai) - 11:30
Side two
1. Black Magic Woman (from Abraxas) - 3:38
2. Gypsy Queen (from Abraxas) - 3:58
3. Oye Como Va (from Abraxas) - 5:47
4. Yours Is the Light (from Welcome) - 5:30
5. Batukada (new track) - 0:55
6. Xibaba (She-Ba-Ba) (new track) - 4:13
Side three
1. Stone Flower (Introduction) (from Caravanserai) - 1:14
2. Waiting (from Santana) - 4:14
3. Castillos de Arena Part 1 (Sand Castle) (new track) - 2:51
4. Free Angela (new track) - 4:26
5. Samba de Sausalito (from Welcome) - 4:02
Side four
1. Mantra (from Welcome) - 7:17
2. Kyoto (Drum Solo) (new track) - 9:58
3. Castillos de Arena Part 2 (Sand Castle) (new track) - 1:13
4. Se a Cabo (from Abraxas) - 5:39
Side five
1. Samba Pa Ti (from Abraxas) - 8:56
2. Savor (from Santana) - 3:06
3. Toussaint L'Overture (from Santana III) - 7:40
Side six
1. Incident at Neshabur (from Abraxas) - 17:15
Notes
Released: 1975
Format: 3 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
Country: Europe
Genre: Jazz, Rock
Style: Latin Jazz, Jazz-Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Label - CBS Records
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