The album was released by Columbia Records in December 1972 and debuted at No. 178 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on January 13, 1973,[1] peaking at No. 151 on February 17, 1973,[2] and spending nine weeks on the chart.
"In all likelihood, Azteca never would've had a major-label contract if it weren't for Santana, the trailblazing San Franciscan group that made Latin rhythms acceptable. Azteca had a stronger Latin bent than Santana, particularly on this eponymous 1972 debut that is dense with polyrhythms and horns, dipping occasionally into a Cinemascope presentation of saccharine emotions. That sentimentality and on-the-nose celebrations ('You Can't Take the Funk Out of Me'), along with a general hippie-dippy vibe, give the album a period-piece flavor but there is much to savor here, especially in how all involved enjoy playing with the groove, letting it breathe and expand, sometimes happy to let it ride upwards of seven minutes."[4]
In December 1972, Billboard in its review of the album stated "the seventeen man conglomerate boasts, among other assets four fiery vocalists and a four man horn section that cooks to the boiling point. Especially powerful are 'Mamita Linda', 'You Can't Take the Funk Out of Me' and 'Love Not Then'".[5]
Saturday Review of the Arts described it as an "impressive debut album", "featuring a bold, funky sound supported by an accordingly large batch of esteemed players, including graduates of Santana".[6]
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