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LATIN ROCK
"SUPERNATURAL," SANTANA.
Arista.
Critic's Call: * * * 1/ 2
Call me cynical, but I'm generally wary of the motivations of aging rock stars who call on the hottest young stars to guest on their CDs. It generally smells of a desperate attempt to gain credibility - and sales.
It cheapened the Rolling Stones' "No Security" to include Mick Jagger's duet with fashionable Dave Matthews. It's like watching an overweight old man strut around the beach in Speedos two sizes too small.
Having said that, Carlos Santana and I would like to point out that questions of motivation are moot when the music's great.
In his first release in five years, Santana has called on some of music's hottest commodities - including the still-sizzling Matthews - and wrapped them in his lush guitar playing and his band's impeccable Latin rhythms. It gets a little embarrassing at times that just about every guest feels compelled to rap or sing a line of hallowed praise for Santana, but that's a small price to pay for the rest of the solid lineup of songs.
I'll acknowledge that Santana isn't for everyone; indeed, the only demand one of this paper's arts editors has ever placed on me is that I never play Santana within earshot of him. But for those who have ever appreciated his work, rest assured that the old ace is at the top of his game.
"Supernatural" would have been a solid album based just on the five songs that feature only Carlos and the band. But the guest turns make it a real treat.
A strength is the varying styles the guests bring, though each of their works comes away "Latinized" by the band's sound. Matthews is terrific on "Love of My Life," and even Eagle Eye Cherry proves himself worthy of the company on "Wishing It Was."
There's even a bit of a Fugees-fest, as Lauryn Hill and Cee-Lo grace one track while the next song features Wyclef Jean and...