The first three albums are outstanding examples of the genre. Santana, Abraxas and Santana III spent months high in the US charts, the latter two staying at number 1 for many weeks. These albums included numerous memorable and fiery tracks including 'Jingo', Tito Puente 's 'Oye Como Va', a definitive version of Peter Green 's 'Black Magic Woman' and possibly the most sensual rock instrumental of all time, 'Samba Pa Ti'. On this, Carlos plays a solo that oozes sexuality over an irresistible slow Latin beat that builds to the inevitable climax. Caravanserai marked a change of style as Rolie and Schon departed to form Journey. This important album is almost a single suite showing a move towards jazz in the mode of Miles Davis 's In A Silent Way. At that time Carlos became a disciple of Sri Chimnoy and, after befriending fellow guitarist John McLaughlin, he released the glorious Love Devotion And Surrender. During that year he released a live album with soul/funk drummer Buddy Miles. All these albums were considerable hits. Welcome (featuring vocalist Leon Thomas and guest John McLaughlin) and Borboletta (with guests Flora Purim and Stanley Clarke ) were lesser albums. He returned to hard Latin rock with the excellent Amigos in 1977. A version of the Zombies' 'She's Not There' became a hit single from Moonflower in 1977. In his parallel world Carlos was maintaining a jazz-fusion path with a series of fine albums, the most notable of which was The Swing Of Delight with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Zebop! in 1981 was a tour de force, and Santana's guitar playing was particularly impressive, with a clarity not heard since the earlier albums. The hit single from this collection was the admirable Russ Ballard song 'Winning'. The solo Havana Moon featured guests Willie Nelson and Booker T. Jones, although the difference between what is solo Santana and band Santana has become almost irrelevant as Carlos is such an iconoclastic leader.

Beyond Appearances in 1985 maintained his considerable recorded output. The same year he toured with Bob Dylan to ecstatic audiences. He scored the music for La Bamba in 1986 and reunited with Buddy Miles in 1987 to record Freedom. In 1989 Santana's contribution to the title track of John Lee Hooker 's excellent album The Healer was arguably the highlight of the set. This featured one of his most sparse, yet breathtaking, guitar solos. During the summer of 1993 the band toured South America and a live album, Sacred Fire, was released. At the same time Carlos also put his own record company, Guts And Grace, onto the market, beginning with a compilation of classic live performances from original artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. In 1994 Santana appeared at Woodstock II with the knowledge that their performance at the original festival was one of the highlights of that event.

The line-up in 1995 featured Tony Lindsay as vocalist. Any association with the name Santana continues to be a positive one; whether as the band or solo, Carlos Santana is an outstanding figure in rock music and has influenced countless aspiring guitarists. Recent compilations such as Dance Of The Rainbow Serpent and Live At The Fillmore emphasize his steady influence and consistency over four decades. He received the Billboard lifetime achievement award in 1996.