Four star

A SHAMAN is a spiritual healer who, among other things, uses song to create unity and harmony in the world.

Carlos Santana has taken an eclectic mix of pop, rock, blues and light opera, added his virtuoso skills on guitar and tried to enhance the various styles in a harmonious way.

There are many contributors to the album, as diverse as Dido, Seal, Macy Gray and Placido Domingo. Santana purists may not like it but I found it original, refreshing and exciting.

The tracks with guest stars I particularly liked were the catchy single The Game of Love featuring Michelle Branch, Seal's You are my Kind, Musiq's Nothing at All and the surprisingly powerful America featuring Christian rock band P.O.D.

However, there were five pure Santana tracks included on the album - and they were all great, bringing some Latino samba magic to a blustery dark night.

The first track, Adouma, gets you in the mood, there's the vibrant Foo Foo and Aye Aye Aye and check out the beautiful guitar work on Victory is Won.

Considering there are so many different producers, not to mention egos around, the whole effect is very harmonious - which I guess is what Carlos was trying to achieve.

LM