why are we ripping on Santana here? First off if you don't like his music or his playing don't listen to it.About the cd he did with Mc Laughlin in the 70's that's when he got "religious" and did this with him ( maybe they believed in the same thing but that's irrelevant here)maybe Santana can't play like Mc Laughlin but at the same token I don't think McLaughlin can do the things that Carlos can either.The point is why bother try to out do somebody else?.I like Santana but just my opinion here he is better in concert than in the studio and he even admits it.In today's music where things are flavor of the month,Santana's music or his playing isn't, you just have to give it a chance.