I love this CD. Carlos's guitar playing is top notch as usual throughout the album. Buddy Miles does a good job taking over on lead vocals. She Can't Let Go and Love Is You are very moving ballads with guitar solos with deep emotion. Vera Cruz, Praise, and Victim Of Circumstance are quality rock songs. Before We Go is also a great tune on this CD. The synthesizers are great on this CD by Chester Thompson. Mandela is the only song I found boring on this entire album.

This CD is extremely underrated. If you like Santana's newer sound, CDs like, Zebop, Beyond Appearances, Blues For Salvador, Marathon, Shango, etc, you will LOVE this CD. This CD comes from the true heart of Santana. The guitar work is incredible. The guitar solo on "She Can't Let Go" will blow you away. "Songs of Freedom" is a masterpiece that only Buddy Miles could have sung. "Praise", "Mandela", and "Before We Go", are just as strong in both lyrics and guitar work, of any of Santana's contemporary works. "Victim Of Circumstance" is a great tune that ends this CD perfectly. Don't rely on the short Real sound files to make up your mind. You need to hear the FULL progression of each song. Some of these songs start out slow and proceed to a feverish display of stunning guitar work that Santana is famous for. If you like this CD, then PLEASE check out Santana's Milagro CD as well. The Blues for Salvador, and Spirits Dancing In The Flesh CDs are also a must have for any person who wants to realize that Santana has become a better musician with time. The production quality of these later albums are as good or better than his early works. Santana's early work is incredible as well. Here is a list of Santana's early best: Santana 3, Caravanserai, Amigos, Oneness (silver dreams and golden realities) Inner Secrets, and Moonflower (live CD). There are many Santana purists who only like his early work, but the truth of the matter is this: except for Supernatural his later "polished production" offerings have reached a superior level of writing, spirituality, and musicianship,. If you're still not convinced, go to a used CD store and have a listen before you buy, but don't listen to the nay Sayers. Buy Freedom. It will set you free.

Although this album is over 20 yrs old, it must not be forgotten. Buddy Miles (who passed away recently) was the lead singer on this Santana album and it makes for one of the best Santana albums ever. Buddy's voice is full of passion whenever he sings and it very evident on this album on every cut. This album is hard to find but I recommend it very much--great guitar and singing, and excellent songs. Santana fans should try to find this overlooked album--they will not be disappointed. Buddy is right up there with Gregg Rollie as one of Santana's best singers. GET THIS ONE!!!!!!

This is, in my opinion, the worst Santana album out there. The album stinks because it is too poppy and synthetic. (I hate the synthesizers) There are a few decent sounds on this album, but the majority are of unusually poor quality.

If you're looking for "Abraxas" type fireworks, forget it. Seems as if this CD was done to fulfill a contractual obligation, they should have kept this one in the can. I borrowed this from my local library, I would have been upset if I had paid for it. I guess even an extremely talented and creative guy like Carlos Santana has an off day...