SANTANA / Expression Live in Tokyo 2013 (4CDR)

◆Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 12th March 2013
(Disc 1)
01.Opening
02. Cloud Nine (with "Coming To Get You" ending)
03. Love Is You Love Is Me
04. Black Magic Woman
05. Gypsy Queen
06. Oye Como Va
07. Maria Maria
08. Foo Foo
09. Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile)
10. Batuka
11. No One To Depend On

(Disc 2)
01. Taboo
02. Exodus
03. Introduction of Cindy Blackman Santana
04. Corazón Espinado
05. Bass & Drums Jam / Drums Solo
06. Band Introduction Jam
07. Jingo
08.Evil Ways
09. A Love Supreme
10.Smooth
11. Dame Tu Amor
Encore;
12. Woodstock Chant / Soul Sacrifice
13. Bridegroom

◆International Forum, Tokyo, Japan 13th March 2013
(Disc 3)
01.Opening
02. Toussaint L'Overture (incl. While My Guitar Gently Weeps)
03. Sacalo
04. Everybody's Everything
05. Se A Cabo
06. Love Is You Love Is Me
07. Black Magic Woman
08. Gypsy Queen
09. Oye Como Va
10. Samba Pa Ti
11. Corazón Espinado
12. Bass & Drums Jam / Drums Solo

(Disc 4)
01. Band Introduction Jam
02. Jingo
03. Incident At Neshabur (incl. My Favorite Things)
04. Evil Ways
05. A Love Supreme
06. Smooth
07. Dame Tu Amor
Encore;
08. Woodstock Chant / Soul Sacrifice
09. Bridegroom

◇Personnel;
Carlos Santana (Guitar)
Andy Vargas (Vocals)
Tony Lindsay (Vocals)
Thomas Maestu (Guitar)
Benny Rietveld (Bass)
Dennis Chambers (Drums)
Cindy Blackman Santana (Drums)
David K. Mathews (Keyboards)
Karl Perazzo (Percussion)
Raul Rekow (Percussion)
Bill Ortiz (Trumpet) & Jeff Cressman (Trombone)

This recording captures both days of the band's two consecutive Tokyo shows, which were the subject of much discussion due to the significant setlist changes made during their 2013 Japan tour. This release features a matrix of IEM and audience sound sources.

The two previously released titles, recorded entirely using audience sound alone, on the same XAVEL label were undoubtedly among the finest audience recordings of recent years. However, this release blends the IEM sound source used onstage with the label's original, high-quality audience sound source, allowing you to hear every sound the band produces with dramatically clearer sound quality. The drums, percussion, and other percussion instruments, the heart of SANTANA's sound, are particularly noteworthy for their direct delivery of the organic Latin groove they create. Even the subtle details that would otherwise be lost in the sound pressure of other instruments are clearly discernible.
A month has passed since the concert, and various reports have been released from various quarters, so perhaps there is no need to go into detail about the splendor of the performance or the richness of the stage composition, but listening to this album, which recreates those two days with a superb sound that could never be achieved with audience recordings alone, will bring you countless new discoveries and an indescribable sense of emotion. This is a masterpiece that allows you to enjoy the perfect balance of the tight, blood-pumping groove of the percussion section, the emotional melodies of the organ, and Santana's guitar sound, which sings and sensually intertwines with these.