Lotus (Japanese: ロータスの伝説) is a 1974 live album by the Latin rock band Santana, recorded at the Osaka Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan, Osaka, Japan in July 1973, during their Caravanserai Tour. The Welcome album recording sessions were completed shortly before this concert, and that album was later released in November 1973. Lotus was originally released as a triple vinyl LP in Japan only. This version of the album was later released internationally.
In 2017 a limited-edition version was released as Lotus: Complete Edition. This release is a 3 disc set hybrid Super Audio CD with seven previously unreleased bonus tracks. This was also a Japan only release.
Contents
Recording and mixing
The 1973 live recordings were mixed in 4-channel quadraphonic sound and released in the CBS Stereo Quadraphonic (SQ) matrix system. The SQ encoding makes it possible to format all 4 channels into a 2 channel stereo version, which is compatible with conventional stereo playback equipment. Some releases of this mix have been marked as "Quadraphonic" or "SQ" and some are not. However, all known releases of Lotus prior to 2017 use the same SQ encoded 2 channel recordings. The 4 channels can still be heard on modern equipment provided that the listener has a proper SQ decoder and 4 channel playback system.
Release history
The complete 3-LP set was not released in Europe until November 1975. The first U.S. release was in June 1991 as a 2-CD set and 2 cassette tape set. It was re-issued again in 2006 on vinyl in the Netherlands and on CD in Japan as a 3-CD set. It was also re-issued in the US in 2013 as a 3-LP set. This version was also released in 2016 in the United States by Audio Fidelity as a 2-Super Audio CD set.
2017 "Complete" Edition
In 2017, Lotus: Complete Edition was released in Japan as a 3 disc set hybrid Super Audio CD including seven bonus tracks inserted between the original tracks. In addition to 4.0 surround sound audio there are stereo SACD tracks as well as a stereo CD layer which can be played on conventional CD players.
Album Cover Design
The album’s elaborate packaging was designed by Japanese artist Tadanori Yokoo and is noted for holding the record for the most facings on a gatefold vinyl LP- a total of 22 panels. Released by CBS/Sony to commemorate Santana’s Tour of Japan in 1973, the live recording captures the concert held on 3 July 1973 at the Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Osaka, Japan. All 22 illustrated panels were created by Yokoo, and the production of the packaging reportedly cost approximately £30,000 to manufacture.
Track listing
Japanese 3-CD
The same track listing as the original vinyl release (two sides per CD), except "Mr. Udo" in place of "Savor".
Personnel
Carlos Santana – guitar, Latin percussion, Echoplex
Leon Thomas – maracas, vocals
Tom Coster – Hammond organ, electric piano, Yamaha organ
Richard Kermode – Hammond organ, electric piano
Doug Rauch – bass
Armando Peraza – congas, bongos, Latin percussion
José "Chepito" Areas – timbales, congas, Latin percussion
Michael Shrieve – drums, Latin percussion