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This is probably the band's most underrated work, and a great way to introduce new fans to Santana's music. From my point of view they don't put a foot wrong on this one: from the hard punch of 'Open Invitation' to the smooth caress of 'Stormy', the lyrical cleverness, compulsive bass, and vocal depth sustain a creation of genuine, unpretentious beauty.

Yes it's DIFFERENT from earlier material like Abraxas / Borboletta and nowhere does his guitar reach the same transcendental heights, nor does the music evoke the same unearthly, consciousness-expanding quality as elsewhere - but then this one was created to alternately energize and soothe, and that it does admirably well.

Don't miss out.

Inner Secrets has always been my favorite Santana CD. There is not clunker in the bunch. It may sound a little too polished in places but how can you refuse the power of "Open Invitation", "Well Alright", "One Chain" or "Dealer" - great tunes. The band definitely do not sound bored - well worth the small investment.

The addition of Greg walker to the band was a welcome addition.
Alex Ligertwood was okay but I don't want Santana to sound like Journey. Greg Walker, in my opinion, is second only to Greg Rollie as a good fit to Santana. This CD doesn't set the world on fire but it wasn't meant to. It is very listenable and the remakes of the older songs are well done. They are songs I never thought I would see on a Santana album but when you can actually improve on Buddy Holly, Classics Four, and the Zombies then you've earned four stars in my book.

I longly hesitated before buying this cd because of three reasons :

1. It is an oldie 2. I have lots of Santana records, and several tracks from Inner Secrets are on those other cds 3. The reviews here seem to say it is a so/so album

In fact, I should have bought it a long time ago ! This album is smashing. Among other things you have THE voice of Greg Walker (I never really liked Alex Lighertwood), Graham Lear on drums (he has played with lots of super artists, for instance Gino Vanelli), or Pete Escovedo (to me, Sheila E's daddy is one of the big ones now that Tito Puente has abandoned us). They all are there to put a unique value added to Santana's characteristic touch.

"Move on" is marvelous (just listen to the last two minutes), "One chain" has an incredible beat, "Open invitation" really rocks, and the cover version is not cheesy at all. You also have the penetrating "Life is a Lady", with Santana superstar from the beginning to the end, just like in the famous "Europa" or "Moonflower". "Dealer" reminds me of my dear Spain. Latin touches are everywhere, but the two closing tracks are jewels... And THE PLAYERS ARE PLAYING (you have very little programmed music here)

This album doesn't sound outdated, and I understand it disappoints people who like the Caravan-Borboletto-Abraxas period, but to me it is one of the super Santana records (not the case for Havana Moon or Blues for Salvador for instance). My recommendation is that you get it. I'll be ready to bet with you that you will still enjoy it in, say, 20 years from now.

When the rock world reached out to Carlos Santana in 1999, the result was "Supernatural," one of rock's top-selling albums and a celebration of what the artist played and stood for. In 1978, Santana himself strived for the pop audience and the result, "Inner Secrets," was less satisfying.

The LP has its moments: their remake of the Classics IV's "Stormy" rocks gently and jazzily with a fiery guitar outro. Buddy Holly's "Well All Right" is the set's best track, playing off the jittery rhythms of the Holly's version and the Blind Faith remake (Greg Walker's vocals throughout sound especially Steve Winwood-ish). "Move On" recalls many of the era's soul ballads (the producer/co-writers, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, had worked with Tavares, the Righteous Brothers and,later, the Commodores). The instrumentals, featuring great Pete Escovado percussion, rouse Santana's trademark guitar fire.

But the rest of the album only smolders with weaker tracks like "One Chain," "The Facts of Love," and "Open Invitation," which actually recalls Foreigner and the Santana knock-off Journey. "Inner Secrets" has enough good songs to earn partial recommendation, but Carlos Santana would achieve greater sales and critical success with music closer to his artistic vision.