To Zion

Lauryn Hill, 1998. Solo by Carlos Santana.

Santana's Spanish-tinged acoustic lines frame Hill's song about her son, a rare guitar highlight on a landmark soul album.

To Zion, from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, is a song about Hill's son, and Carlos Santana's Spanish-tinged acoustic guitar frames it with warmth and grace. His lines are delicate and lyrical, weaving around the vocal and adding a sense of intimacy to the arrangement. The guitar becomes a quiet emotional anchor, giving the song a timeless quality. It is a rare guitar highlight on a landmark soul album, showing how Santana's style could fit seamlessly into a very different musical world. Listen for how the acoustic phrases answer Hill's voice, and how his flamenco-flavoured runs add colour without ever overwhelming the song's personal message.

To Zion by Lauryn Hill is featured in our Neo-Soul (#2) list. The solo is played by Carlos Santana and the song was released in 1998.

In our lists

• The Greatest Solo of Every Year — #55
• Beyond the Canon — #12
• The 20 Greatest Neo-Soul Guitar Solos — #2
• Guest Solos — #19

Sources