Supernatural (Santana album)

Supernatural (Santana album)
source
Name	Supernatural
Type	studio
Artist	Santana
Released	June 15, 1999
Recorded	1998–1999
Studio	Ocean Way Recording, Conway Recording Studios, Record Plant, Los Angeles; The Village Recorder, Westlake Audio
Length	74:59
Label	Arista
Producer	Clive Davis (executive), Carlos Santana, Walter Afanasieff, Dante Ross, Rockwilder, Jon Thomas, Laurie Anderson, Lester Mendez
Prev title	Milagro
Prev year	1992
Next title	Shaman
Next year	2002

Supernatural (Santana album) is the nineteenth studio album by the Latin rock band Santana, led by guitarist Carlos Santana. Released in 1999 on Arista Records, the album marked a commercial renaissance for Santana, featuring high-profile collaborations and a fusion of Latin rock with contemporary pop, hip hop, and R&B. It won multiple Grammy Awards and spawned the international hit "Smooth", elevating Santana into mainstream charts and award shows of the late 1990s.

Background and Recording

Following a period of relatively low commercial impact after albums such as Milagro and live releases, Santana reunited with executive producer Clive Davis to conceive a project that would update the band's sound and reintroduce Carlos Santana to a new generation. Sessions took place in Los Angeles studios including Ocean Way Recording and The Village Recorder, with production contributions from pop and hip-hop figures such as Walter Afanasieff, Dante Ross, Rockwilder, and Lester Mendez. The project brought together artists from diverse scenes — including Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, Lauryn Hill of The Fugees, Eminem, Eric Clapton, Seal, Dave Matthews and Maná — reflecting an intention to blend Santana's signature guitar with contemporary stars. Clive Davis' A&R strategy echoed similar veteran-artist comebacks overseen at Arista Records and paralleled high-profile collaborations seen with acts associated with Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment.

Composition and Style

Musically, Supernatural juxtaposes Santana's melodic, sustained lead guitar tone, rooted in the legacy of Carlos Santana's work with Santana and influences like B.B. King and John McLaughlin, against production hallmarks from late-1990s pop and hip-hop. Tracks employ Latin percussion traditions found in Afro-Cuban and Salsa rhythms, while guest vocalists bring elements of R&B, rock, and rap; for instance, "Smooth" features songwriting by Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas, whereas "Put Your Lights On" showcases vocal interplay with Everlast. Producers such as Walter Afanasieff, known for work with Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, add polished string arrangements and radio-ready structures. The album blends electric blues inflection, salsa percussion, pop hooks, and contemporary beats akin to productions by Sean "Puffy" Combs-era pop and cross-genre collaborations reminiscent of albums from Santana's earlier fusion of rock and Latin music.

Release and Promotion

Arista released Supernatural in June 1999 with a coordinated promotion campaign involving television appearances, award show performances, and a high-profile feature on music channels such as MTV and VH1. Santana performed selections with collaborators on programs like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and award ceremonies including the Grammy Awards, leveraging appearances by guest artists like Rob Thomas and Eric Clapton to broaden media reach. Promotional tie-ins included press features in Rolling Stone, Billboard, and interviews arranged through Clive Davis' network within the music industry ecosystem.

Singles and Chart Performance

The lead single "Smooth", credited to Rob Thomas (lyricist) and Itaal Shur (composer) and featuring Rob Thomas on vocals, became a transatlantic hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in the top ten across United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and much of Europe. "Maria Maria", produced with contributions from Wyclef Jean-affiliated writers and sampled grooves, also reached high positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and international charts. Other singles such as "Put Your Lights On" and "The Calling" received airplay on modern rock and adult contemporary radio formats, while remixes by producers like Rockwilder targeted urban and club charts. The album produced multiple charting tracks across Billboard charts including Billboard 200 and the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks listings.

Critical Reception

Critical response was mixed to positive: several reviewers praised Santana's guitar work and the effective chemistry with guest artists, citing the album's accessible crossover appeal and polished production by names such as Walter Afanasieff and Dante Ross. Outlets including Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Times noted the commercial savvy behind Clive Davis' strategy while some critics argued that heavy reliance on collaborations diluted the cohesive identity established on classic records like Abraxas. The album's success at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards—where it won Album of the Year and other major categories—sparked discussion in music journalism about industry practices for veteran-artist comebacks.

Commercial Performance and Legacy

Supernatural became Santana's best-selling album, achieving multi-platinum certification in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America and selling millions globally, with certification milestones in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Its crossover hits helped introduce Latin rock to mainstream pop audiences at the turn of the millennium and influenced subsequent collaborative albums by legacy artists from labels such as Arista Records, Columbia Records, and Epic Records. The album's impact is reflected in later projects that paired established musicians with contemporary stars, and its tracks have continued presence in compilations, soundtracks, and sampling by artists across genres, reinforcing Carlos Santana's profile as a cross-generational performer.

Track Listing and Personnel

Supernatural's extensive personnel list includes core members of Santana's band alongside a wide array of guest vocalists, session musicians, and producers. Notable contributors: vocalists Rob Thomas, Lauryn Hill, Everlast, Eric Clapton, Seal, Dave Matthews, Maná, and songwriters such as Itaal Shur. Production credits feature Clive Davis (executive), Carlos Santana, Walter Afanasieff, Dante Ross, Rockwilder, and Lester Mendez. Session musicians include percussionists rooted in Latin traditions and string arrangers associated with mainstream pop records; engineers and mixers worked in studios like Ocean Way Recording and Record Plant. The album's sequencing blends uptempo singles with ballads, jam-oriented instrumentals, and cross-genre collaborations that highlight Santana's melodic lead guitar amid contemporary production aesthetics.

Category:1999 albums Category:Santana albums Category:Albums produced by Walter Afanasieff Category:Arista Records albums