‘Smooth’ operator

Rather than his once yearly visit to Chastain Park or the Fox Theatre to recycle old favorites or to play some forgettable new album tracks, Carlos Santana will be playing Lakewood Ampitheatre to a full house of fans, young and old, most eager to hear his new material. Spurred on by critical praise and constant radio play, Santana’s Supernatural, the Grammy-winning comeback album, is his biggest commercial success ever and his current tour is bringing out larger crowds than the legendary guitarist has enjoyed in years. Atlantan Matt Serletic, president and CEO of Melisma Records and the new boy-wonder of pop producers, is responsible for the saucy sound and collaboration of the album’s first single release, “Smooth.” The biggest hit of the album, the song was chiefly written by Serletic’s colleague, Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, who also lends his vocals to the Salsa-flavored smash.

“‘Smooth’ was such a giant success mainly because it hit at just the right time,” industry tracker Lee Swartz of Sony/ATV Music says of the Serletic-produced single. “It was a winning combination of trends, luck and quality. It’s actually a great tune, but it had all the elements in place like jewels in a crown. Serletic crafted that thing, well, ‘honed’ I guess would be a better word, with the finesse of Quincy Jones at his most creative. It has that same Latin shimmer and a sort of snake-like appeal and charm that just is magical.”

“I’m really blessed,” says Serletic, when told of the Jones comparison. “I love Quincy Jones and I know he has that certain sound. I aspire to have my own sound on the records I produce, and with ‘Smooth,’ everything just flowed so organically. The things that excite me as a producer most are great songs and great singers and we had both on that song. Plus, you know, Carlos is a pretty fair guitar player,” he laughs.

Serletic has good reason to be happy. Winning a Producer of the Year Grammy for the song in February and being able to share it with Santana isn’t lost on the former musician, who credits the historic guitarist with providing the spicy ingredients necessary for the sensual tune.

“That was the second time I’ve been to the Grammy Awards and it was so exciting to be a part of it with Carlos,” Serletic says. “We spent a lot of time together backstage before the show and he’s such a thankful man about all this recent acclaim. He’s so spiritual about music, it’s been an inspiration for me to be around him. To have accomplished as much as he has, and to still believe in the power of music is unbelievable. The thing that makes me happiest most about ‘Smooth’ is that little kids are getting into Santana now. It’s amazing to hear 8-year-olds, when you ask them what their favorite album is, they say Britney Spears or even Matchbox Twenty, but they also say Santana. He’s a great musician and a connection to all those amazing musicians from the jazz era, whether it’s Miles Davis or John Coltrane. He performed the greats, he’s one of our last living links to that history. I really think kids are learning something from it.”

The aging guitar icon is even getting airplay on commercial alternative stations such as Atlanta’s 99X that would have never featured the classic rocker without the Serletic touch. As 99X program director Leslie Fram says, “Actually we were a little late on playing ‘Smooth’ because we over-thought the situation, thinking maybe it was too pop. We didn’t even question the fact that it was Santana because Rob Thomas was singing and he is definitely a part of our world. We finally realized that a hit is a hit and we weren’t going to act too hip for the room. I’m personally glad it’s in rotation here, I like it. I’ve always liked Santana, anyway.”

Citing Santana’s historic value, Serletic notes that Supernatural “is a great fusion of the older perspective and yet it’s a young persons album, as well. A timeless blend of his jazz influences and modern rock.” He credits Santana for deciding to employ some of today’s talents to make the project fresh. “[Former Arista label chief] Clive Davis and Carlos had these discussions on how to re-excite the world about Santana,” Serletic says. “They decided to make it be sort of half and half. Part signature material and the other half collaborations of the hottest younger people. And all the younger contributors, Rob, Wyclef Jean or Everlast, they all grew up listening to his music and these people were enamored to just work with the man.”

Though Serletic, currently in the studio recording new Texas band Color, is modest about his contributions to the project, Fram is very forthcoming with compliments for the Stone Mountain-born producer. “Matt has the magic touch. He feels the music and turns those visions into epics. On ‘Smooth,’ he was able to capture the essence of vintage Santana with a modern day pop melody and brilliantly match Rob Thomas’ vocals,” she says. “Matt makes music come alive. This project was melodic, emotional and sweeping and that is why it was voted the album of the year.”

Atlanta singer/songwriter Angie Aparo, says, “He takes chances and pushes you in directions you didn’t think you could go. Matt’s production brings things out of a performance that most people would ignore, and that’s really his strong point, I think. He really listens and then he hears all these different melodies at the same time.” Aparo’s recent Serletic-produced debut album, The American, is the first re- lease on Serletic’s Atlanta-based Melisma label.

What’s more, “Bent,” the latest Serletic-produced Matchbox Twenty single, is at press time the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. As his winning streak shows no signs of stopping, the producer, who has previously worked with Aerosmith, Celine Dion and Collective Soul, is clearly proud of his achievements.

“What I love about music is you can create a lasting work that, if you are lucky enough, can actually create a soundtrack to a person’s life at that moment. If it makes time stand still, just for a moment, then it works on every level and it’s a total success. And I know with ‘Smooth’ I did accomplish that. And to be a part of any resurgence of a treasure like Carlos Santana is a blessing beyond words.”

Santana plays Lakewood Ampitheatre on Sat., July 22. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.75-$61.75, available through Ticketmaster.