New Santana Album "Africa Speaks"

I can’t speak for the compression-phobes, but the reason some don’t like the record has nothing to do with audiophile ignorance or any other audiophile concern.  

When I first saw this thread it reminded me that I hadn't heard any Santana in a while and I listened to a couple of his older albums.

As far as this album, I didn't sit down and listen to this in a "critical" way, I just let it play and I have to say, I was drawn in by the Santana's blistering guitar work right from the start and the percussion and singing kept me listening.  

To me it sounded like a group of talented musicians enjoying themselves and letting their creative juices flow.  I read that they recorded 49 songs in ten days!  Hate all you want.  If you can do anything as good or better than this in any creative form of expression, my hat's off to you!

Oh... by the way, it sounded pretty good on my system.

I guess I will have to stream it again via Qobuz hires.
I know I was not impressed first time around but I will listen with an open mind.

Agreed.  I will too.  Good attitude.

Uber, I don't disagree that it sounds compressed. Perhaps my point was that if that's all you listen for, that's all you'll hear. I can also see how it's not for everybody, but to those that said it "sucks", that's a bit of a head scratcher.