Santana III is an album of 'lasts'. It was the last album recorded with the original Woodstock-line up and the last to hit #1 in the Billboard charts until 1999's Supernatural. But there are also a number of important 'firsts' on this album; Coke Escovedo joins in for the first time on percussion, as does Neal Schon (Journey) - who was a mere 17 of age when they recorded the album - on guitar.

Santana III is viewed by many as the band's commercial and creative highpoint. The band sounds darker, more raw, and more eager with the doubling up on guitar of Schon's Rock'n'Roll sensibilities and Santana's ecstatic high notes and soulful fills. Escovedo's and Chepito's percussion is as fast as it is furious, and the minimal production adds greatly to the timeless appeal of this album.

We have added 4 bonus tracks that were originally recorded in the same time period as Santanta III but have never appeared on vinyl before. They add an extra drive to an already compelling album, that extra spark to the powder keg that is the explosive Santana!