Zappa was a genius; and, a very opinionated one. He was also a very serious composer and student of the music of Edgar Varese and Stravinsky. He was a very deep musician whose music has a depth, complexity and level of craft that is leagues beyond Santana's. Santana's strength is that great and instantly recognizable tone with a really strong sense of sincerity and very deep "from the heart" quality in his playing. Most guitar players would say that Zappa was an infinitely better guitar player; just as most composers would say that Zappa was infinitely more accomplished. Which one touches any given listener's heart more is, as always, subjective and dependent on what that listener is looking for in music.
"He was a very deep musician whose music has a depth, complexity and level of craft that is leagues beyond Santana's."
Although I was deeply offended by that statement, I didn't have time to respond, but now I've got plenty time.
It really takes some gall to make a statement like that; who told him he was qualified to make such a definitive statement? I told him many times that music was "subjective" but I see it still hasn't stuck.
"Santana" has been one of my favorite artists since the late 60's, and still is. I don't know how many vinyl copies of "Abraxas" I've replaced, and after all this time, it's still a hot item; I use it for a test record, and no one ever complains. It seems that people who like many different genres of music have that one in their collection; I wonder if Frogman has it in his collection?
Here is the first cut on "Abraxas", you decide;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xskk5q1DL6A
Enjoy the music.