Carlos Santana: Undefinable

Carlos Santana recently released a new retrospective album featuring hit songs and a few new tracks -- all with various artists. Ultimate Santana includes collaborations with Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Rob Thomas, Michelle Branch and others. Santana says he loves teaming up with other acts -- especially those who have different musical backgrounds. The Mexican-born artist tells us it's his way of not becoming a part of any one kind of genre: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "It helps me not to allow anyone to define me. There's like another Mexican blues player or another Los Lobos guy. And as much as I like Los Lobos sometimes people put them into like you know 'they're those nice Mexican guys who play this music.' And I'm like 'whoa, whoa.' I'd rather be a musician that could go to Japan or Africa or Jerusalem or the Apache Reservation and be able to complement whatever they put in front of me."

The guitarist says he's glad to have been able to change up his style over the years: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "Like Miles Davis would say you know 'You're born with a curse and a blessing -- a curse to change and a blessing to be able to do it.' But now I embrace that you could do this, so you can do that."

As for 2008, Santana plays to work on a new three-disc project called The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, which he says will include songs with different influences. The set will feature a trio of Santana, his longtime keyboardist Chester "CT" Thompson and Narada Michael Walden on drums. There will also be guest appearances.
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