Oye Como Va

Santana, 1970, from Abraxas. Solo by Carlos Santana.

The Tito Puente cha-cha-chá rebuilt around organ and a stinging, blues-based guitar solo.

Santana's Oye Como Va rebuilds Tito Puente's cha-cha-chá around organ and a stinging, blues-based guitar line. Carlos Santana plays with a sustained, vocal tone, often using a Gibson SG in this period, and his solo mixes blues bends with Latin phrasing, riding the groove rather than fighting it. The steady, hypnotic rhythm and Gregg Rolie's organ give him a solid base to float over. The track helped bring Latin rhythms into mainstream rock. Listen for how Santana holds a note and lets it swell with sustain, then snaps into quick, rhythmic phrases that lock with the percussion, blending rock energy with the dance feel of the original.

Oye Como Va by Santana is featured in our Latin Rock (#5) list. The solo is played by Carlos Santana and the song was released in 1970.

In our lists

• Beyond the Canon — #36
• The 25 Greatest Latin Rock Guitar Solos — #5
• The Best Santana Guitar Solos — #5

Sources