After thirty years of proficient songwriting and countless tours around the world, Carlos Santana is finally getting the recognition he deserves with his 1999 release, "Supernatural."

On January 4, Santana was nominated for eleven awards at the upcoming 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, which will air Wednesday, February 23 on CBS. Santana, who won a Grammy in 1988 for best rock instrumental performance with "Blues for Salvador," has never received near as many nominations as he has this year.

Santana's nominations include album of the year, best rock album, record and song of the year for "Smooth," best pop instrumental and instrumental composition for "El Farol," best rock instrumental performance for "The Calling," best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for "Maria Maria," and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals for "Put Your Lights On." Santana also had two songs from the new album, "Smooth" and "Love of My Life," nominated for the same category of best pop collaboration with vocals.

The new album sees Santana collaborating with many different musicians from the industry. The chart topping "Smooth," which was nominated for 3 awards, features Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Artists from the world of hip-hop that joined Santana on "Supernatural" included Lauryn Hill on "Do You Like The Way," Wyclef Jean on "Maria Maria," and former House of Pain frontman Everlast with his dark anthem, "Put Your Lights On." "Love of My Life," a soulful love song, was co-written by Santana and acclaimed songwriter Dave Matthews. "The Calling" is an incredible instrumental, which features Santana yet again with long-time collaboration partner and bluesman, Eric Clapton.

Santana had the opportunity to work with Eagle-Eye Cherry on "Wishing It Was," which also featured the production wizardry of techno masters, the Dust Brothers. Of interesting note is that Santana, who is known for his collaboration efforts with artists throughout the music world, worked with Eagle-Eye's father, Don Cherry.

In the album's liner notes, Santana thanks Eagle-Eye in a heart-felt declaration of appreciation.

"This fulfills a promise I made to your father," wrote Santana, "that one day we would join together and create healing music."

Santana began his rise to stardom forty years ago in the streets of Tijuana, Mexico. He arrived in San Francisco in 1966 and began the Santana Blues Band, which would later play the famous Fillmore West and the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The sixties, psychedelic influence is evident in Santana's vast body of work.

"Supernatural" features a diversity of musical styles and genres, but maintains the patented guitar sounds that only Santana could create. Songs like "(Da Le) Yaleo" and "Africa Bamba" show Santana's mastery of Latin-flavored blues. However, it is his stunning performances with guest musicians, which sets this album above others released last year. "Put Your Lights On" is a hauntingly insightful look at the state of the world, while "Maria Maria" tells the story of a young girl from the Spanish Harlem.

But the one thing that stands out on every track of "Supernatural" is Santana's ability to layer his unique and intricate guitar work and make each song his own.

"Supernatural" is, by far, one of the best releases of 1999. He should be very successful at this year's Grammy Awards.

More information about the album and Santana can be found at www.santana.com.

Published by The Chart on 2-21-00.

Article's Posting at the Chart's Website