Everlast should need no introduction. The man has been a fixture within the rap community for over 20 years now, first as an auxiliary member of Ice-T’s infamous Rhyme Syndicate back in the mid-’80s, then at the centre of creating House of Pain along with Danny Boy and DJ Lethal in the early ’90s, and eventually branching back out by going solo again in the late ’90s.

From the pugilistic imagery of 1990’s Forever Everlasting to the barroom brawling, thugishness of House of Pain to the brash, countrified experimentation of his Whitey Ford alias, Everlast has never been afraid to embrace new sounds and venture off into diverse musical terrain.

Watch Everlast: “Folsom Prison Blues video” (’Love, War and The Ghost Of Whitey Ford’):

His latest effort ‘Love, War and The Ghost Of Whitey Ford’, set for UK release 29 September, 2008 (US – September 23) marks his debut release on PIAS and is already being seen as a massive return to form.

“The sound is totally different than anything I’ve ever done before,” says Everlast aka Erik Schrody about his new album, and that’s saying something for the Grammy-winning artist who has broken ground and sold millions of albums for mixing hip-hop and acoustic-based folk-rock.

The new album, his first since 2004’s Island/Def Jam release ‘White Trash Beautiful’, was co-produced by Everlast with his longtime partner Keefus Ciancia (”He’s a real brainiac when it comes to vintage grooves”).

‘Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford’ is the logical sequel to his 1998 breakthrough, the multi-platinum ‘Whitey Ford Sings the Blues’, an eclectic mix of rock, blues, country, pop and hip-hop, which cracked the Billboard Top 20 and sold more than 3 million copies on the strength of its crossover hit, “What It’s Like.”

Everlast has worked with a star-studded cast of hip-hop stars including Divine Styler, Run DMC, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Warren Haynes, Cypress Hill (including DJ Muggs, B-Real and Sen Dog solo projects), Dilated Peoples, Bronx Style Bob, Casual, Cee-Lo, Prince Paul, Fredwreck, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Ill Bill, Guru, KRS-One, Mack 10, Danny Diablo, Mobb Depp and Lordz Of Brooklyn amongst others.

Everlast – Love War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford on amazon.co.uk

Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford on amazon.com

An official Everlast website has also been launched ahead of the album’s release. Please visit:

Everlast Official Website
Everlast MySpace

My decent sized computer speakers aren’t loud enough for Santana. Every time I turn up the new ‘Ultimate Santana’ album, one speaker falls off my desk and on to the floor. The thing about Santana is that the music stands the test of time and probably will forever and when those familiar guitar riffs come on, I can’t help but crank it up.

The new ‘Ultimate Santana’ UK release includes their classic version of Zombies hit “She’s Not There” originally released on the 1977 ‘Moonflower’ album and also features standards like “Black Magic Woman”, “Samba Pa Ti”, “Evil Ways”, “Europa”, “No One To Depend On” and “Oye Como Va”.

New and previously unreleased tracks with guest singers featured on ‘Ultimate Santana’ include: “Into The Night” (Chad Kroeger), “This Boy’s Fire” (Jennifer Lopez & Baby Bash) and “The Game Of Love” (Tina Turner). Also included is new single, “Interplanetary Party”.

Not so oldies but goodies with featured guests include: “Smooth” (Rob Thomas), “Maria Maria” (The Product G&B), “The Game Of Love” (Michelle Branch), “Put Your Lights On” (Everlast), “Corazon Espinado” (Mana), “Why Don’t You And I” (Alex Band of The Calling) and “Just Feel Better” (Steven Tyler).

The first time that I heard opening track “Into The Night” was on the radio and at first I was stumped as to who it was. Once Santana’s guitar solo came in, though, I knew right away. At first I wasn’t so sure about the song – the lyrics are almost bordering on a christian music feel with Chad Kroeger from Nickelback on vocals…but it’s a grower, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it.

Watch Santana featuring Chad Kroeger – “Into The Night” video:

One of my favorite tracks off of Santana’s 1999 ‘Supernatural’ release was “Put Your Lights On”. It’s great that this track was included along with the sexy voice of Everlast.

With the bonus track, “The Game Of Love”, it’s so cool to hear Tina Turner and Santana working together! It would have been even cooler if it was the only version of the song on the album – why have two? Maybe the Michelle Branch version could have been replaced with a Tinariwen and Santana track. Either way, Tina Turner’s “The Game Of Love” is definitely worth hearing if you haven’t yet.

‘Ultimate Santana’ is a great album to have stocked in the CD collection. Highly recommended.

“Into The Night” YouTube video link

Santana Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Grammy Award-winning Santana is set to release ‘Ultimate Santana’ on October 15th, 2007 in the UK on Arista Records. This is the first ever Santana collection that encompasses a recording career of almost 40 years, covering the cream of his Columbia and J recordings.

(Read the ‘Ultimate Santana’ review + watch “Into The Night” video!)

Having sold in excess of 90 million records worldwide, performed to over 100 million people globally and having 10 Grammy Awards under-their-belt, Santana is now well into their fourth decade of recording and performing their own fusion of Rock, Jazz, Latin and Blues. ‘Ultimate Santana’ celebrates the awe inspiring career of a legendary band who have stayed with the times – highlighted by the inclusion of two previously unreleased tracks – separate collaborations with Chad Kroeger of Nickelback – which will be the first single “Into The Night” (out October 8th) and Tina Turner – “The Game Of Love”.

Along with these previously unreleased tracks ‘Ultimate Santana’ contains all the essential tracks from vintage albums ‘Santana’ (1969), ‘Abraxas’ (1970), ‘Santana III’ (1971), ‘Amigos’ (1976) through to industry phenomenon ‘Supernatural’ (1999), multi-platinum ‘Shaman’ (2002), and ‘All That I Am’ (2005) and features collaborations with some of the biggest names in music such as: Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Tina Turner, Chad Kroeger (Nickleback), Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) and Everlast.

2007 represents 40 years since the original Santana Blues Band played its first shows in San Francisco. Today, Santana is virtually unique, being one of the only bands to have sustained their success on the charts and on the road as a sold-out stadium attraction. ‘Ultimate Santana’ pays homage to the full spectrum of Carlos Santana’s longevity, creativity, and soulful musical conscience.

Buy Ultimate Santana on amazon.com

Carlos Santana Official Website