Shaman is an album by Santana, released in October 2002. The record is one of three Santana albums (four, if one counts Guitar Heaven) to feature a rotating array of guest musicians, which was a format they followed after the massive success of 1999's Supernatural. To date, Shaman is Santana's second most successful record worldwide, as well as their longest, running at just over 75 minutes with a whopping 16 tracks. The album is one of only three Santana releases to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200, the others being Supernatural and Santana III.
Musically, the album is noteworthy for its incredibly diverse musical style, even moreso than its predecessor, largely due in part to the greatly differing sounds of the album's writers and guest artists, featuring genres that Santana had not attempted before, and at times, since. During production of the album, Carlos stated in interviews that the album was meant to "heal a wounded world" and help people "embrace their divinity". Whether or not he succeeded is subjective, but there is a theme of spirituality and love throughout the album that is undeniable.
Among the general public, the album is probably best-known for the songs "The Game of Love" and "Why Don't You & I", which were huge hits and continue to be two of Santana's most popular tracks, the former being by far the album's most iconic song, even winning Carlos and guest performer Michelle Branch a Grammy in 2003. The album is also notable for its highly detailed artwork, which was painted by veteran artist Rudy Gutierrez, and has since become one of his most acclaimed and recognizable works.
Nothing to do with The '90s UK Electronic Dance Music act The Shamen, nor the Folk Metal band Korpiklaani, who were originally named Shaman, nor the Power Metal band formed by three members of Angra's original formation.
US Tracklist:
- "Adouma" - 4:15
- "Nothing at All" (feat. Musiq) - 4:28
- "The Game of Love" (feat. Michelle Branch) - 4:15
- "You Are My Kind" (feat. Seal) - 4:19
- "Amore (Sexo)" (feat. Macy Gray) - 3:51
- "Foo Foo" - 6:28
- "Victory Is Won" - 5:20
- "Since Supernatural" (feat. Melky Jean & Governor) - 4:32
- "America" (feat. P.O.D.) - 4:35
- "Sideways" (feat. Citizen Cope) - 4:41
- "Why Don't You & I" (feat. Chad Kroeger) - 4:34
- "Feels Like Fire" (feat. Dido) - 4:39
- "Aye Aye Aye" - 4:45
- "Hoy Es Adios" (feat. Alejandro Lerner) - 4:37
- "One of These Days" (feat. Ozomatli) - 5:51
- "Novus" (feat. Placido Domingo) - 4:10
Shaman and its songs provide examples of:
- Audience Participation Song: "Foo Foo" has some humorous words to the audience, including the singer screaming, "Everybody jump!" rather enthusiastically.
- Big Rock Ending: "America" features a downplayed example, as does "Victory Is Won".
- B-Side: "Let Me Love You Tonight", which replaced "Since Supernatural" on the international edition of the album and was moved from track 8 to track 12. However, the iTunes edition even in the US has the former song instead of the latter. You can purchase the CD and burn it to iTunes, and then buy the former track individually to have both songs and complete the album.
- Cover Version: "Adouma" is a cover of an Angelique Kidjo song.
- Genre Roulette: One of popular music's most notable examples. No songs on the album sound the same and are almost never in the exact same style. You get Santana's signature Latin rock style, yes, but each song has some different influences, which are:
- African tribal rock ("Adouma")
- Contemporary R&B ("Nothing at All")
- Teen pop/rock ("The Game of Love")
- Soul ("You Are My Kind")
- Funk and ska ("Amore (Sexo)")
- Salsa ("Foo Foo")
- Instrumental hard rock ("Victory Is Won")
- New jack swing ("Since Supernatural")
- Heavy/alternative metal ("America")
- Blues/folk rock ("Sideways")
- Post-grunge ("Why Don't You & I")
- Trip hop/adult contemporary ("Feels Like Fire")
- Straightforward latin rock along the lines of Santana's early work ("Aye Aye Aye")
- Flamenco ("Hoy Es Adios")
- Jam rock ("One of These Days")
- Opera ("Novus")
- Instrumentals: "Victory Is Won"
- Metal Scream: "America" has one of these at the beginning.
- One-Word Title: "Shaman".
- Title-Only Chorus: "Adouma."
