Santana - Shaman [2LP Yellow & Red]

Santana's Shaman doubles down on the star-studded formula of Supernatural, and this 180-gram double LP presses it on yellow and red vinyl.

Arriving in 2002, three years after Supernatural had sent Carlos Santana back to the top of the charts, Shaman again pairs his singing guitar with a parade of guest voices. Seal, Dido, Macy Gray, P.O.D., Citizen Cope and Plácido Domingo are all among the collaborators, and between the vocal features sit fiery instrumentals that keep the record anchored in Latin rock.

The Game of Love, sung by Michelle Branch, is the breeziest of the hits, a sunny groove built on bright percussion and a chorus made for radio. You Are My Kind pairs Seal's smooth croon with a slinky, rhythmic pulse, and America, with P.O.D., cranks the heat up into heavy, nu-metal crunch. At the far end of the spectrum, Novus sets Domingo's operatic tenor against Santana's lyrical lines for a grand, dramatic finale.

Through all the shifting styles, that sweet, sustaining guitar tone remains the constant, instantly recognisable within a couple of notes. Spread across four sides of coloured vinyl, Shaman plays like a vibrant, crowded party with Santana as the generous host, happy to share the spotlight while never quite giving it away.