Supernatural

Thirty years after his breakthrough Woodstock appearance, Carlos Santana returns to the fray with a star-studded album. It also reunites the San Francisco-based guitar legend with co-producer and label supremo Clive Davis, who gave Santana their first recording contract back in 1968.

Supernatural combines most of the familiar Santana elements i.e. lengthy guitar jams and frenetic percussion over a Latin/jazz/ rock framework. Only this time around he's chosen to invite a large cast of today's big names, many of whom at least claim to have been influenced by his music over the years.

Their participation undoubtedly alters what would probably have been yet another undistinguished album. Certainly Lauryn Hill's spunky performance on 'Do You Like The Way' (which she also wrote and produced) updates the Santana sound considerably - if it wasn't for the instantly recognisable guitar lines it could be a track from one of her own albums. Likewise with Wyclef Jean's funky 'Maria Maria' which, thanks mainly to the restraint shown by Carlos Santana is arguably the most realised track here. Not so Everlast's punchy 'Put Your Lights On' which is punctuated by unnecessary and irritating guitar soloing.

Less successful collaborations are the more mainstream rock cameos which include Dave Matthews on 'Love of My Life' (sounding more like Sting here) and Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas whose quirky 'Smooth' was a recent US hit. The project is wrapped up with 'The Calling' featuring Eric Clapton on a Floydian epic which, clocking in at almost eight minutes, gives both axe-meisters ample opportunity to indulge their respective talents.

A mixed bag, but with enough on offer to make it worthwhile.