Arguably Santana's strongest work within his mediocre '80s studio output, Blues for Salvador is a listenable CD with some high moments. The soft jazz/rock "Bella," a love song to Carlos' daughter, deserves a place of honor on any list of pretty Santana tunes. With Chester Thompson's keyboards joining Carlos' guitar to create exquisite music with an atmospheric, relaxing texture, "Bella" has its own sound rather than the rehashed high-pitched guitar twangs of the triad of "Samba Pa Ti," "Europa," and "Moonflower." In the title cut, Carlos' guitar expresses a sort of yearning, passionate but not intense, and sometimes even smug, with a modified blues feel. It is also very atmospheric, because of the perfect overlaying of Thompson's keyboards with Carlos' guitar work. However, while the other tracks are decent, they contain nothing earth shattering. "Hannibal" has some good guitar soloing but is just a moderately improved remake of the Zebop version, and "Deeper, Dig Deeper" is an instrumental of the verseline version of Freedom. Among the other songs are a concert jam and two outtakes from the "Love Never Fails" sessions. The material from those sessions never became a solo Santana album as planned, instead appearing here as well as on Freedom and Viva Santana. Thus, Blues for Salvador largely amounts to a patchwork CD. Vocals are ephemeral; the music is the thing, and there is some good stuff, but not enough to justify a fourth star.

Just saw Carlos live and would have loved if he played from this rather than so many cuts from Supernatural. I am a jazz fan before a rock fan and while I wouldn't confuse this for jazz, once again Santana demonstrates how he can transport his listener to some great beyond. Afterwards you know you have been near the source of sun and light. I am thankful for those like Carlos Santana who can translate it for we mortals. Doubt me? Try Bella, Now that You Know and Blues for Salvador. There are some weaker moments on the CD, but just those three take you all the way to eternity.

This is a really great disk. For someone that likes a variety of different music like I do it is a must in anyones collection.