Santana – Inner Secrets – Mofi 180g 33RPM Vinyl LP

Sourced from the original master tapes, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, and strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 33RPM LP of Inner Secretspresents the 1978 album in audiophile sound for the first time on a domestic reissue. Part of the label’s Santana series, this collectible version features quiet surfaces and black backgrounds that help expose the critical details, dynamics, and tones that really allow Santana’s music to soar.

As for Carlos Santana’s signature guitar voicing, spicy leads, and acrobatic solos? Hear them with newfound definition and enhanced clarity — all the better to appreciate the dexterity, vision, and soulfulness on display. Those characteristics extend to the contributions from the other players on Inner Secrets, including Graham Lear’s invigorating drumming and David Margen’s foundational bass lines. They form a solid rhythmic foundation capable of veering from disco grooves to moody pop and radio-friendly classic rock.

Home to three Top 100 singles, Inner Secrets marks another turning point in Santana’s evolution. It is the band’s first project without keyboardist Tom Coster since the latter arrived in 1972. Gone, too, from the lineup is original percussionist Jose Areas. In their places are Chris Rhyme and Pete Escovedo, respectively, with the latter having debuted on the studio portion of the preceding Moonflower (1977). Multi-instrumentalist Chris Solberg counts as the other notable new addition. All three pros play key roles on a work that witnesses Santana moving away from fusion-laden fare and toward mainstream-oriented material.

Obvious evidence of that transformation arrives in the form of four inspired covers, including renditions of Buddy Holly’s “Well All Right,” Four Tops’ “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” Classic IV’s “Stormy,” and Traffic’s “Dealer” — with the latter tune soldered into “Spanish Rose.” Santana’s focused approach is also reflected in the structures and lengths of the songs. No track lasts longer than six minutes and 15 seconds. Yet the band packs an array of contagious melodies, complex passages, and passionate performances into the tightened-up frameworks.

In addition to the instrumental prowess, Inner Secrets especially benefits from the singing of Greg Walker. Carlos Santana called Walker’s technique a “combination of street and church music; ‘street’ being raw, sexy, warm, and naked; ‘church’ being spiritual, inspirational, soulful, and sincere.” Those elements further punctuate Inner Secrets and ensure the album stands as a bookend to the group’s peak era. Wham!, indeed.