Eight months prior to their triumphant worldwide debut at Woodstock, Santana played a 4-night set at the Fillmore West on December 19-22, 1968. The resulting 2-disc recording from this fertile developmental period ably demonstrates the remarkably creative path Carlos Santana took to inevitable fame. Utilizing a line-up that included Gregg Rolie, vocals and keyboards, David Brown, bass, Doc Livingston, drums and Marcus Malone, congas, the band's sound was a tasty gumbo of rhythm and passion.
As evidenced in their set list, Santana's influences at this time included master African percussionist Babatunde Olatunki ("Jingo"), jazz musician Chico Hamilton ("Conquistadores Rides Again") and Albert King ("As The Years Go Passing By"). Grooves were the name of the game, and the chemistry between Rolie and Carlos Santana was at the core of these performances, whether its the give-and-take improvising going on between the two in "Fried Neckbone" or the slow, after-hours jazz vibe Rolie lays down at the beginning of "Treat," which ends up morphing into a Latin-flavored rock number. A fascinating live document showcasing the embryonic stages of Santana's trademark improvisational talents.

Track List:

CD1
1. Jingo
2. Persuasion
3. Treat
4. Chunk a Funk
5. Fried Neckbones
6. Conquistadore Rides Again
CD2
1. Soul Sacrifice
2. As the Years Go Passing By
3. Freeway

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