Brace yourself for the newest Santana

For more than 30 years, Carlos Santana and his ever-changing posse of band-mates have been rocking the world, combining traditional rock and roll with the sensuously smooth sounds of Spanish guitar.\nShaman continues with the tradition of creating sure-to-be-hit collaborations, as the 1999 Grammy-winning Supernatural did with Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas. Shaman adds Spanish flair to traditional pop and R&B styles, proving, though, that some artists would mix better with a polka band than they do with a Spanish guitar.\nThe album does feature a few "collaboration-less" Spanish tracks that rely solely on the skills of the band, including new member Andy Vargas, whose vocals stand out in "Aye Aye Aye."\nThe album's first hit single, "The Game of Love," features Michelle Branch, who compliments the track perfectly and sounds considerably more vocally mature than on her debut CD.\n"You Are My Kind," written by Thomas of Matchbox 20, features Seal bringing his tender, smoky voice to this fast-moving guitar and conga-driven track, complete with Santana on the rain stick. \n"Amoré (Sexo)" starts out promising but then … enter Macy Gray. While the song does have the Spanish beat and guitar strokes necessary to make this danceable, Gray's distinct vocal style tragically impedes in this track's musical value.\nA standout track is "Since Supernatural," written by Wyclef Jean and featuring Melkie Jean and Governor Washington, backed by the innovative sounds of "The Human Orchestra." This track may sound like hip hop, but the beat and vocals make it fly.\nSantana makes use of the feathery sound of Dido in "Feels Like Fire," as well as incorporating one of the three tenors, Placido Domingo, in "Novus." Nickleback's Chad Kroeger lends his pipes to "Why Don't You & I." Yet, one of the CD's less fortunate collaborations is with P.O.D. on "America," with the only true standout proving to be Santana himself on the guitar.\nShaman includes more memorable collaborations then did Supernatural. For some Santana fans, this may be further indication that Carlos and the crew are selling out, but since I didn't grow up listening to Santana classics, Shaman lets me experience the kind of music I like while allowing me to recognize Santana's legendary skills at the same time.