The Power of 3 – Debut Album Features Previously Unreleased Jimi Hendrix Riff
Orianthi, Cindy Blackman Santana and Rhonda Smith join forces for The Power of 3, with their debut album arriving January 29, 2027
The Power of 3 – The Power of 3
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital
Label: She2Music
Release date: January 29, 2027
Guitarist and vocalist Orianthi, drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and bassist Rhonda Smith have joined forces as The Power of 3.
Their self-titled debut album ‘The Power of 3’ is scheduled for release on January 29, 2027, through She2Music. Produced by Eddie Kramer and recorded entirely in analogue, the album also features a guest appearance from Carlos Santana.
Orianthi has established herself through her solo recordings and collaborations with artists including Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper and Carlos Santana. Her solo album ‘Some Kind Of Feeling’ reached number one on the Official UK Blues Chart.
Cindy Blackman Santana brings decades of experience in jazz, rock and improvisation. Known for her work with Lenny Kravitz and Santana, she has also collaborated with Pharoah Sanders and John McLaughlin. Her 2026 album ‘Coherence’ explores the connections between jazz and rock.
Rhonda Smith completes the trio on bass. Best known for her longstanding association with Prince, she has also worked with Jeff Beck, Beyoncé and Chaka Khan. Her background spans funk, rock and contemporary music.
The Power Of 3 (L-R) – Rhonda Smith, Orianthi, Cindy Blackman Santana: Photo by Jim Louvau
The trio’s latest single, Taxi, has a connection to Jimi Hendrix. According to the band’s announcement, Orianthi and producer Eddie Kramer were granted access to the Hendrix archives, where Orianthi discovered a previously unreleased guitar riff.
Inspired by the recording, she recreated the riff herself and worked with Blackman Santana and Smith to develop an entirely new composition around it.
The song therefore draws on an archival Hendrix musical idea rather than presenting the original recording as a newly released Hendrix performance.
The single follows the previously released double single War In The Streets and Treat Me Like A Lady.
The origins of The Power of 3 go back several years, when Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis encouraged Orianthi to assemble a power trio inspired by Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys.
Orianthi subsequently recruited Cindy Blackman Santana and Rhonda Smith, bringing together three musicians with extensive experience across different musical styles.
The group has already performed twice at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Their forthcoming album marks their first full-length studio release together.
The self-titled debut will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats, including a limited-edition yellow vinyl pressing offered through the band’s official webshop.
Website: https://www.thepowerof3.com/
Tracks:
01. Taxi
02. Treat Me Like A Lady
03. No Time For Love
04. Stay
05. War In The Strees
06. Power Of Love
07. Can’t Stop Dreaming
08. Love The Way You Love Me
09. Dam Fool
10. The World’s Alright
Read also:
Want to discover more from The Power of 3 and related artists? Click on the titles below to read earlier articles on Bluestown Music.
New Release: Orianthi – Some Kind of Feeling
Orianthi’s solo album combines contemporary rock with blues influences.
New Release: Cindy Blackman Santana – Coherence
An exploration of jazz, rock and improvisation featuring Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin.
New Release: Santana – Sentient
A collection of Santana recordings, including a collaboration with Cindy Blackman Santana.