Santana / HI, USA 05.22.1970 Soundboard Edition

This miraculous soundboard album allows you to experience—viscerally—the live sound of Santana in 1970, a year when the band skyrocketed to stardom in the wake of the Woodstock legend and saw their album *Abraxas* hit number one in the US. This release captures the concert held in Honolulu on May 22, 1970, featuring a stereo soundboard recording. While the classic *Berkeley 1970 Soundboard* is a beloved staple from that year, it dates from a slightly different period. To better understand the context, let’s first take a broad look at the band’s activities during that time: • Jan 16–Apr 12: US Tour #1 (25 shows) ← *Berkeley 1970* • Apr 18: London show (Production of *Abraxas* began Apr 17) • Apr 24 & 26: US Tour #2 (2 shows) (*Abraxas* completed May 2) • May 15–Jun 13: US Tour #3 (10 shows) ← ★Here★ • Jun 16–28: Europe (9 shows) • Aug 4–Oct 21: US Tour #4 (31 shows) (*Abraxas* released Sep 23). A hidden gem discovered through the “Legacy Master Project”—this is Santana in 1970. While *Berkeley 1970* captured the era of their debut album, this Honolulu show took place while they were producing their follow-up, *Abraxas*, and awaiting its release. It was the fourth concert of “US Tour #3,” held just 20 days after the album was completed (May 2). Tracks like “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Como…” …and “Va” were also fresh from the recording sessions—this is a record of the very moment those *Abraxas* tracks began to breathe life on stage immediately after their completion. This soundboard recording, capturing such a precious performance, is the latest release in the “Ihin Master Series” (Legacy Master Series), which has recently been churning out superb Santana recordings. It was unearthed by the renowned “JEMS” team from a prized archive entrusted to an acquaintance by a hardcore West Coast collector who passed away a few years ago. While the series has previously focused on delivering sensational recordings from 1972 and 1974, a soundboard recording from 1970 has finally been discovered. Although the Honolulu recording has circulated before, this specific master is extremely close to the source (likely a first-generation copy or a transfer from the taper’s own backup). It is a vastly superior master, offering a much fresher sound than previous versions. Indeed, the audio quality is undeniably top-tier. It is not merely the best master of this specific show; its brilliance makes even the acclaimed *Berkeley 1970* release pale in comparison. While *Berkeley 1970* had the characteristic texture of a vintage soundboard recording, this release lacks that “vintage” feel. Of course, being a direct-from-the-mixing-console recording, the era-specific equipment sound remains, yet a remarkable freshness—free from the degradation usually associated with age—permeates the entire performance. Rather than simply “official quality,” perhaps it is best described as “archival official quality”—the kind of sound found in a deluxe archival box set. The thrill of experiencing the raw, live performance with such vivid immediacy is immense. This fresh soundboard recording captures a miraculous concert where the band’s potential—fresh from creating the masterpiece *Abraxas*—was supercharged by the intensity of the live stage. The setlist is also a highlight unique to 1970, so let’s outline it here: Santana (5 songs) – Savor / Jingo / Evil… Ways (★) / Treat / Waiting (★) / Others (4 tracks + 3 tracks) • Celestial Guardians: Se A Cabo (★★) / Black Magic Woman-Gypsy Queen (★★) / Oye Como Va (★★) / Hope You’re Feeling Better • Others: Toussaint L’Overture (★★) / Gumbo (★★) / Conquistadore Rides Again (★★) *Note: Tracks marked (★) were not included on the acclaimed *Berkeley 1970 Soundboard* release. Tracks marked (★★) are absent from both *Berkeley 1970 Soundboard* and *Fillmore West 1969*. The setlist is packed with numbers missing from those other releases precisely because this performance took place right after the completion of the *Abraxas* album. The show opens with “Se A Cabo,” quickly followed by “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” with “Oye Como Va” appearing in the middle section. Songs that would go on to be loved worldwide are performed here with the raw, fresh energy of their early inception. Furthermore, “Evil Ways” and “Waiting”—signature tracks from their debut album—are included, having been absent from *Berkeley 1970 Soundboard*. With the addition of repertoire like “Toussaint L’Overture,” “Gumbo,” and “Conquistador Rides Again,” this setlist offers an incredibly rich overview of Santana in 1970. This is a 1970 treasure unearthed from the “Legacy Master Series,” a line of highly acclaimed releases. It captures a historic performance from the period immediately following the completion of *Abraxas*, delivering fresh, official-quality sound. This is a stereo soundboard recording of the Honolulu concert from May 22, 1970. As the latest entry in the buzz-generating Legacy Master Series, it represents the definitive version, far surpassing previous releases in terms of sound quality and generation. This album is a cultural treasure that delivers a historic live performance—recorded just 20 days after the completion of *Abraxas*—straight into your brain with “official-release quality” sound that surpasses even standard soundboard recordings. Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 1970 (56:17) 1. Intro 2. Se A Cabo 3. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen 4. Savor 5. Jingo 6. Oye Como Va 7. Toussaint L’Overture 8. Evil Ways 9. Treat 10. Gumbo 11. Waiting 12. Hope You’re Feeling Better 13. Conquistadore Rides Again STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING