LISTEN: Carlos Santana Collaborates With Carin Leon on Soulful New Song “Velas”

A Fusion of Spirit and Sound

Carlos Santana and Mexican music star Carin Leon unite in “Velas,” a sensual and spiritual track that celebrates devotion and heartfelt connection. The single, now available on all digital platforms, blends Santana’s unmistakable guitar sound with a mix of genres — soul, R&B, rock, and pop — all tied together by flamenco-style handclaps and a hypnotic urban rhythm.

Produced and written by 26-time Latin GRAMMY winner Edgar Barrera, “Velas” serves as a musical expression of desire and faith through love. The song also draws on the spiritual meaning of candles in Latin culture — a theme that personally connects with Santana. “For me, candles have a frequency that connects you with the spirit,” said the guitarist.

A Song About Romance and Light

Santana described the track as an exploration of both divine and human love. “This song is about something that both God and humans love; it’s called romance,” he said. “Romance is a bridge between humans and God. We all pray for something, to God or the universe. What I hope people will feel when they hear this song is that they want to give each other a hug. There’s so much negativity in the world right now that we need a hug of light.”

Carin Leon echoed this sentiment, noting how the song captures a deep spiritual bond rooted in Latin identity. “This connection that we Latinos have with our spirituality, beyond religion, as part of our popular culture—and portraying it in a modern way,” he said. For Leon, “Velas” represents “the act of asking God for that person.”

A Collaboration Built on Respect

For Leon, working with Santana is more than just a career milestone — it’s an honor. “Beyond the fact that I get to collaborate with him or give my career this great milestone of being with Carlos Santana, I think what anyone from Mexico, anyone from Latin America, any musician should say is thank you for the art you’ve created and for keeping music alive for so, so many years,” Leon shared.

In “Velas,” the narrator’s love transcends the physical. The lyrics speak of reverence and divine protection, calling upon religious figures like the Virgin Mary, Muhammad, Buddha, and La Santa Muerte — reflecting a faith that crosses boundaries. The track follows “Me Retiro,” Santana’s earlier collaboration with Grupo Frontera, with both songs forming part of his new musical project.

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