Is Evil Ways a good place to start with Santana?

Yes, Evil Ways is recommended as a starting point for new Santana listeners. A vibrant fusion of rock and Latin rhythms that electrifies with soulful guitar riffs and rhythmic percussion. Released as Santana's debut album, 'Evil Ways' marked a significant entry into the music scene just before the band gained widespread acclaim. At this point, Santana was still developing their unique sound, blending rock with Latin influences, which would later define their career.

Who is Evil Ways for?

Evil Ways works well if you're into extended grooves for deep immersion, swaying rhythms for dancing moments and uplifting vibes for social gatherings.

How many songs are on Evil Ways?

Evil Ways has 6 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Evil Ways

Santana · 1969

39 min · 6 tracks · music of Latin America

A vibrant fusion of rock and Latin rhythms that electrifies with soulful guitar riffs and rhythmic percussion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Evil Ways Start here — This track is not only the album's standout single but also encapsulates Santana's signature sound with its infectious groove and compelling guitar work that would define their legacy.
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Jam in E — An instrumental showcase, 'Jam in E' highlights Santana's improvisational skills, showcasing the band's ability to blend jazz elements within a rock framework, which was innovative at the time.
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As the Years Go By — This track features poignant lyrics paired with a smooth melody, demonstrating Santana's ability to convey emotion through both words and music while maintaining their Latin roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Evil Ways blends rock with Latin influences effectively, showcasing Santana's emerging sound and setting a foundation for future work.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent guitar riff that is interwoven with brass and percussion, creating a lively call-and-response dynamic.
The second track, 'Jam in E,' is an instrumental piece that showcases extended improvisation, allowing the musicians to explore their Latin rock sound.
Several tracks incorporate traditional Latin rhythms, such as salsa and bolero, which are layered over rock instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

extended grooves for deep immersion
swaying rhythms for dancing moments
uplifting vibes for social gatherings
reflective pauses amidst lively jams

Maybe skip if you

preference for quick, catchy tracks
dislike for lengthy instrumental sections

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Santana's reputation with a major hit, marking their entry into the music scene.
Themes: Latin rock fusion· soulful guitar riffs· cultural rhythm blend
Career context: Released as Santana's debut album, 'Evil Ways' marked a significant entry into the music scene just before the band gained widespread acclaim. At this point, Santana was still developing their unique sound, blending rock with Latin influences, which would later define their career.
Stylistic neighbors: Carlos Vives· Los Lobos· Javier Solís