Taboo

Santana, 1971. Solo by Carlos Santana.

A moody Santana III track with a long, climbing solo over a slow Latin rhythm.

Taboo is one of the moodier tracks on Santana III, a slow Latin groove that gives Carlos Santana space for a long, climbing solo. He starts low and measured, placing sustained notes carefully over the rhythm, then gradually works higher on the neck as the intensity grows. His tone is thick and singing, and his vibrato gives even simple phrases a sense of yearning. The song shows how well he could build drama without resorting to speed. Listen for how each new section of the solo starts a little higher than the last, so the whole thing feels like a slow ascent, with the percussion quietly tightening underneath as the guitar reaches its peak.

Taboo by Santana is featured in our Latin Rock (#25) list. The solo is played by Carlos Santana and the song was released in 1971.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Latin Rock Guitar Solos — #25

Sources