Ziggy Marley

BLUES guitarist Taj Mahal is the latest veteran artiste to call on some famous friends to help out on an album. In his case, it is Maestro, the name of his latest set which was recently released in the United States.

Ziggy Marley, Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos, singer/guitarist Ben Harper and African singer Angelique Kidjo worked on the album, which Taj Mahal says is a tribute to the diffe-rent sounds that have inspired him.

"This is what I grew up with - jazz, gospel, reggae and be-bop," the guitarist told the Seattle Times.

Guitarist Carlos Santana (Supernatural) and reggae singer Toots Hibbert (True Love) have won Grammy Awards with 'all star' albums.