The first installment of Connecting The Dots, a series that connects the dots between artists and producers and the tracks that resulted, we kick it off with Connecting The Dots with Carlos Santana as compiled by Maurice Bernstein (CEO and Founder of Giant Step). Beginning with a track by Mr. Hermano, Maurice takes the listener on an interesting path, describing the connections in full fashion.

Free As The morning Sun - Mr. Hermano
This is a rousing gospel tinged version of a very obscure Santana track that was on Santana's solo effort "Devadip - Oneness" released in Europe only in 1979.

Planetary Citizen - Mahavishnu Orchestra
Band leader Mahavishnu John Mclaughlin was a frequent Santana collaborator in early 1970's they event made a record together called "Love Devotion and Surrender". Picked this for it's pure funk and spot the sample that Massive Attack used.

Turn Off The Lights - Larry Young
This is one of my fav tracks of all time so where is the connection with Santana you may ask? Organist Larry Young played with Mclaughlin in late 60's in a seminal group called Lifetime. Additionally he played organ on Santana and Mclaughlin's effort "Love Devotion & Surrender" under his Muslim name Khalid Yasin.

I Wouldn't Change A Thing - Coke Escovedo
Another classic track, Coke Escovedo was a very influential percussionist from Bay Area and was a member of Santana during Santana III, also was the brother of Pete Escovedo whose daughter is Sheila E.

Stormy - Madlib
This track was covered by Santana on the cd "Inner Secrets" in 1978, this version is Madlib's interpretation of Ruben Wilson's.

Ms. Grier - Groove Collective
So what's the connection here you might asked. Well Groove Collective founding member and co writer of this track Itaal Shur also penned Santana hit "Smooth".

Spread The Light - Dave Ghetto
This was one of my favorite tracks from last year. Here's the link, the sample used on this track is Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Stoneflower" taken from the album of the same name. Santana covered this track on Caravanserai adding lyrics etc.

Haven't You Heard - Patrice Rushen
Half the fun of this is getting to put your fav tracks in a playlist and Patrice toured on keys for Santana's tour with Wayne Shorter in 1988, hence her inclusion.

Tombo In 7/4 - Airto
Airto and his wife Flora Purim appeared on Santana's albums "Welcome" and "Borbeletta".

Nena - Malo
Malo was Santana's brother Jorge's group in 1970's and they had one big song called Sauvecito-but when it came to Latin percussion they could hold up with the best of them. Many members went on to join Santana in later years.

Non Pacem - Azteca
Here we go back to Coke Escovedo again, on leaving Santana in early 1970's he set up an ambitious 16 piece band called Azteca including many ex members. The result was latin acid rock at it's finest.

Hum Allah Hum Allah Hum Allah - Pharoah Sanders
Besides this track being sampled by Galliano for the track "Prince of Peace" it features the vocals of jazz yodler Leon Thomas (one of the first artists I worked with when I started Giant Step). Thomas was lead vocalist in Santana in early 70's on 2 releases "Welcome" and "Lotus-Live in Japan".