Santana – Abraxas

Just got the new Supervinyl release (r31928554) and did a comparison against this release and 2020 Kevin Gray (r16479144) release. This original copy from 1970 holds its own when compared to the KG version honestly. When compared to the Supervinyl version there is no comparison - but thats not a fair fight.

I gave both the KG version and this version an ultrasonic wash, but no matter I do I cannot erase 50 years of life from this copy, although relatively minor, there is surface noise as would be expected for a copy this old.

That said, when I compare only the levels, dynamics, bass punch, mids and highs/clarity - these two are VERY close. I didn’t do a comparison between these two when I picked up the KG release as I just figured the KG version would be much better. Impressed with just how good the 1970 version is.

I Can´t find my copie. a US copie PC30130.
in the dead wax : A I see: P AL 30130 -2AA
In the dead wax : B I see: P BL 30130 - 2H
Recordesd at: Wally Heider Recordings Studio, San Francisco

in the spine : SANTANA ABRAXAS Printed in USA
On labels : Red with columbia in Yellow.
PC30130
gatefold inside right side KC 30130. Any help aprecciate.

I am pretty sure I have this version, although there is no booklet in my copy.
On the run out, I see P AL 30130-2J.

I am confused a bit because my album has a second disk, which I do not see mentioned in my research.

It is labelled KC 30595 on the label, and PAL 30595-2D on the run out (side A of the second LP in my set.)

Perhaps I have another version of this album?

This sounds excellent. AB’d this to both the 1970 Terre Haute and Indianapolis pressings, and I much prefer this one. The vinyl has a quieter background, soundstage is a bit wider and overall separation is better.

Santana is a genius. From '70, this early career masterpiece is among his best work. A perfect amalgam of afro latin, jazzy, psych-rock, Abraxas is driving and adventurous, bathed in conga and timbale. The guitar leads are enormous and wailing, even on the tender tracks. His tone is marvelous, and he articulates with thumb and forefinger for a softer initial string attack; this may contribute to his very expressive horn-like sound.

Why waste your money on a Mo-Fi DSD-cut lacquer 'one step', this is all you need. A clean early pressing with great dynamics and punch, sounds better as you crank it.

5 stars, recommended.

I bought this release and the matrix had a scratched off letter on side A so it reads like "PAL 30130 1-#D" (pretend the # is the scratched off letter). My matrix is etched on both sides except for the little "o"s which are stamped that come after the "PAL 30130 1-#D" (side A) and "PBL 30130 1-D" (side B) (the "o" on side B could actually be a "c" but maybe the stamp just didn't go all the way around). Also, I noticed a very faint "1" or "I" as well as a "C" on both sides as well as some other even fainter letters that also may not really be part of the matrix. I haven't been able to exactly match my copy with this release or any other release on Discogs (I checked all of them with this cat number) so if anyone knows about any of this, let me know! Thanks!

I came across a phenomena where some cuts seem to have the channel audio reversed. I discuss it here:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/santana-abraxas-us-original-variations.937653/

Wheres the Columbia legacy white vinyl release barcode 194397011418. LC 00162/ 88875194291 on the cover.

"I don't want Santana Abraxas! I've just been in a terrible auto accident!"

Terre Haute press reviewed originally, should be the same however:
Im very happy with the US first Terre Haute Pressing of this album. Coming from the first/second press UK I was wondering if it could be topped like I hoped it would, and it just might have been. Comparing the two was done on side 1 through a few listens back and forth.
The first impressions are that the US press has at least one aspect over the UK, that being sound staging and or stereo imaging. It was a bit surprising since I sort of expected things to be the other way around with the US taking the lead with a meaty bass but the UK actually goes deeper in the low end and maybe also high end, but its hard to call right now. Usually I tend to prefer my bass filled pressings over counterparts but what I think I realize now might be even more important is a balanced sound. The US delivers a tighter bass instead and more pronounced instruments because of that soundstage and it fits together more coherently.
One way to describe the two is to say that the UK has a more vertical sound, not as wide but tall with the deep bass and soaring highs, while the US has a horizontal sound with wider imaging.
The record I would probably reach for first at the moment is the US copy even though there are a few more pops on it, but through more listening I will be sure to update if I feel like I can explain further, but it seems like my assumption was right from the start about the UK. It will also be exciting to see what QRP can bring for their 2018 Santana releases, even better than the Mofi I hope.

Current preferred releases:
1. US First Press ( This )
2. UK First Press ( Review: https://discogs.sitiosdesbloqueados.info/Santana-Abraxas/release/3309279 )
3. ???

Equipment used:
Rega RP1 with Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge
Cyrus 2 Amplifier
System Fidelity SF-3050 tower speakers
Custom made HQ speaker cables