Carlos Santana hopes band's new album, "Africa Speaks," "helps humans recognize their own light"

Posted By: Staff
June 10, 2019 @ 6:00 am
Music News

Concord Records

Santana‘s latest studio album, Africa Speaks, was released Friday. The record features 11 new original songs inspired by modern African music and showcases not only Carlos Santana‘s fiery guitar but the powerful vocals of Latin Grammy-winning Spanish singer Buika [BWEE-kah].

Africa Speaks blends Santana’s trademark Latin rock sound with African melodies, rhythm and percussion. Carlos tells ABC Radio the project’s goal is to spiritually elevate the listener.

“The inspiration [behind Africa Speaks] is about being motivated to bring a frequency that helps humans recognize their own light, their own divinity,” he maintains, “so we can roll up our sleeves and create miracles, blessings, and do the impossible.”

Carlos says he discovered Buika’s music one night while checking out new African music online.

“As soon as I heard her voice, I wanted to work with her,” the rock legend declares. “I wanted to share with her.”

According to Carlos, he and the Santana band went to producer Rick Rubin‘s Shangri La Studios in Malibu, California, and recorded an impressive 49 songs in just 10 days. Then Buika was brought in to contribute to the tracks while the group was on tour.

“[S]he said that when she heard the music, she was in a spell and she was compelled to write…the lyrics and everything, harmony,” Carlos explains. “I can’t tell you enough how much all of this is done by grace, not chance, not fortune or luck, but by grace.”

Later this month, Santana launches a North American tour celebrating both the band’s 50th anniversary and their classic album Supernatural‘s 20th anniversary. Carlos says Buika may make a few guest appearances on this year’s trek, while Santana is planning to mount a full-fledged tour promoting Africa Speaks next year.