Branch, Blige, Big Boi rock with Santana

09/14/2005 11:15 AM, Reuters
Barry A. Jeckell

After two release date changes, full details of Santana's upcoming album, "All That I Am," have finally gelled.

The 13-track set is due November 1 from Arista, and pairs Carlos Santana with a host of star entertainers.

The disc is led by the single "I'm Feeling You," which reteams the guitarist with Michelle Branch, who wrote the song with John Shanks and Kara DioGuardi. The pair last collaborated on "The Game of Love," from Santana's 2002 album "Shaman," which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and won a Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals.

Mary J. Blige and OutKast's Big Boi appear on "My Man," a cut co-written by Big Boi and Rob Thomas. The latter scored a breakout hit with "Smooth" on Santana's 1999 comeback, "Supernatural." Los Lonely Boys, who have toured of late with the legendary guitarist, repay the favor by appearing on "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love."

Santana also taps some rock heroes on the new disc, with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler contributing vocals to "Just Feel Better," while Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett appears with pedal steel phenom Robert Randolph on the instrumental track "Trinity." "American Idol" runner-up Bo Bice appears on "Brown Skin Girl."

Elsewhere, Sean Paul and Joss Stone collaborate with Santana on "Cry Baby Cry," Anthony Hamilton guests on "Twisted" and Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am shows up for the cut "I Am Somebody."

Randolph and his Family Band will be on hand to open the second leg of Santana's 2005 Embrace Your Light tour, which begins Thursday in San Jose, Calif. Also on board for the run will be the Salvador Santana Band, fronted by the guitarist's son.

Reuters/Billboard