Live Santana...

I believe that Lotus was only available on LP as a three LP set, pressed in Japan by Sony. My copy has excellent sonics and the performances highlight the jazzier, more stretched out, side of the band. Moonflower has better sonics, but noiser surfaces on all of the copies that I have heard. The performances are more powerful and recorded in a closer perspective, they highlight the latin rock aspect of this music. The Buddy Miles disc is a bit sloppy as far as playing goes and the sound is a bit murky. Maybe that's what happens when you record inside a volcano. I would pick one of the other two. Having seen the band many times, perhaps Moonflower is a more authentic slice of that experience. But why not buy all three? They are not that expensive and are essential recordings.

Thanks...will do...Lotus and Moonflower I havnt seen used in my area...Miles is $3 and very clean...thanks..

I have Lotus pressed in Holland. The quality of Holland mastering and vinyl is very good, not sure how it compares to Japanese pressing. The recording is pretty good although a little bass shy. Mix is very heavy/up front on Carlo's guitar, unfortunately keys are recessed a bit too much and overall sound is a little flat in terms of sense of space and stage.
I've had Moonflower on U.S. pressing, and Holland pressing. Holland Vinyl MUCH better; cleaner, clearer, more detail, less distortion... better recording quality than Lotus... drums hotter and with greater dynamics. Not all of Lotus is live, there were some studio cuts, some cuts are, like all Santana, so-so artistically speaking, others are great. If you sit down and listen to Moonflower all the way through you'll probably end up with a headache! I love Carlos but after an hour or so you want to get off the ride.
The Buddy Miles thing has never been recommended and I don't have it.

Correction to above.. "Not all Lotus is live" meant to say "Not all of Moonflower is live"