The Ultimate Collection cover

The Ultimate Collection

Santana · 1997

156 min · 39 tracks · music of Latin America

A vibrant tapestry of Latin rock and blues that showcases Santana's signature guitar work and rhythmic grooves.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Jin‐Go‐Lo‐Ba Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Evil Ways — This track exemplifies Santana's early sound, blending Latin rhythms with rock elements and featuring one of his most recognizable guitar riffs, setting the tone for his career.
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    Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen — As one of Santana's signature songs, this track showcases his ability to merge mystical themes with captivating melodies, illustrating his unique approach to Latin rock.
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    Oye como va — This classic track highlights Santana's fusion of Latin jazz and rock, featuring infectious rhythms and a powerful instrumental arrangement that defines his style.
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    Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) — A hauntingly beautiful instrumental piece, 'Europa' showcases Santana's emotive guitar playing and has become a staple in live performances, representing his artistic depth.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • infectious grooves for dancing
  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • for festive gatherings
  • vibrant energy for road trips
  • engaging guitar solos to savor

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, single tracks
  • seek constant, fast-paced energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A comprehensive retrospective introducing Santana's music to new listeners.
Themes
Latin rock evolution· mystical guitar melodies· rhythmic cultural fusion
Career context
By 1997, Santana had experienced a resurgence in popularity following the success of his album 'Supernatural' in 1999. 'The Ultimate Collection' serves as a comprehensive retrospective, encapsulating his influential career from the late 1960s through the mid-1990s. This compilation highlights his evolution as an artist while bridging his classic sound with contemporary listeners.
Stylistic neighbors
Carlos Vives· Los Lobos· Javier Solís

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Jin‐Go‐Lo‐Ba Start here 4:14
  • 2 Evil Ways 3:55
  • 3 Soul Sacrifice 3:13
  • 4 Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen 5:19
  • 5 Oye como va 4:17
  • 6 Se a cabo 2:50
  • 7 Samba pa ti 4:45
  • 8 Everybody’s Everything 3:30
  • 9 No One to Depend On 5:32
  • 10 Guajira 5:43
  • 11 Para los rumberos 2:46
  • 12 La fuente del ritmo 4:32
  • 13 Song of the Wind 6:04
  • 14 Love Devotion & Surrender 3:37
  • 15 Mirage 4:42
  • 16 Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) 5:05
  • 17 Dance Sister Dance (Baila mi hermana) 3:11
  • 18 Carnaval 2:15
  • 19 Let the Children Play 3:29

Disc 2

  • 1 Revelations 3:18
  • 2 She’s Not There 3:19
  • 3 I’ll Be Waiting 3:10
  • 4 Flor d’luna (Moonflower) 3:51
  • 5 One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison) 3:30
  • 6 Well All Right 4:09
  • 7 Aqua Marine 3:58
  • 8 All I Ever Wanted 3:35
  • 9 You Know That I Love You 3:56
  • 10 Winning 3:27
  • 11 The Sensitive Kind 3:28
  • 12 I Love You Much Too Much 4:43
  • 13 Hold On 4:35
  • 14 Nowhere to Run 2:52
  • 15 Say It Again 3:28
  • 16 How Long 3:56
  • 17 Veracruz 3:46
  • 18 Gypsy Woman 4:22
  • 19 Havana Moon 4:10
  • 20 Blues for Salvador 5:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata