What’s the 4-1-1?
Guitarist Michael Sanders’ collaboration with an all-star cast of musicians that include session players from Santana, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Black Eyed Peas, and the Allman Brothers.

Genre
Hard rock / virtuoso / jazz / afro-Latino

The Good
Although it is short, the opening track “Waiting for Venus” gives you a brief overview of what’s to come with its tribal beats and seductive female spoken words. While “Esoterica” establishes Sanders as the virtuoso he claims to be, the soulful vocals of Jean Michele Byron and the keyboard tones of Dave Schulz cannot not be ignored. Sanders displays his funk guitar abilities on the instrumental “One Trick Pony,” as well as some frantic guitar runs.

If “Beneath the Sun” was composed to make you imagine your self cruising down the boulevard of your favorite beach community in the summertime, then it accomplished its goal. With its Spanish/English vocals, fuzzy guitar tone, and soft organ tones, “Sons of the Sky” recalls early Santana. Sanders brings more of the funk with some ‘wicka-wicka’ style guitar tone on “Anantia Muscaria.” Only this time, Rocklin Thompson kicks in with some powerful vocals.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
Michael Sanders is not your typical hard rock guitar genius. Combined with One Tribe Nation, Sanders delivers some excellent Latin-inspired rhythms and melodies, and throws in a splattering of enduring and soulful vocals from some of the best well-hidden musical talents.

Did You Know?
Michael’s father, Will Sanders, played piano and sang with The Inkspots, Cab Calloway, Mercer Ellington and Count Basie.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne ,p>