A powerhouse trio featuring acclaimed singer-guitarist ORIANTHI, jazz-rock drummer and Lenny Kravitz collaborator CINDY BLACKMAN SANTANA, and Canadian funk-jazz bassist RHONDA SMITH have released a single titled “Taxi”—featuring a previously unreleased guitar riff from JIMI HENDRIX.
The single is taken from the highly anticipated self-titled debut album THE POWER OF 3, due for release on January 29, 2027.
The roots of THE POWER OF 3 stretch back several years, to when Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis encouraged Orianthi to assemble a Band of Gypsys-style power trio inspired by Hendrix’s legendary group. Orianthi enlisted Blackman Santana and Rhonda Smith, bringing together three musicians with extraordinary individual careers and a shared passion for pushing boundaries. The trio have since performed twice at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and are now preparing to take their music global.
Through their longstanding relationships with the Hendrix estate, Orianthi and legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Bowie, The Rolling Stones) were granted access to the Hendrix archives. While exploring the vault, Orianthi discovered an unreleased riff that immediately sparked her imagination. Inspired by the recording, she brought the idea to Blackman Santana and Smith; together, the trio wrote “Taxi,” with Orianthi recreating Hendrix’s original riff as the foundation for an entirely new song.
“Getting to hear something from Jimi that the world hasn’t heard before was pretty incredible,” says Orianthi.
“The moment I heard that riff, I knew there was something special there and immediately started imagining what we could do with it. I brought it to Cindy and Rhonda, and we just took off from there. There’s something really powerful about the three of us creating something new around a piece of music from someone who has inspired us so much. It’s our way of honouring Jimi while making something that’s completely our own.”
Amid a scatter of gravelsome rhythms and nimbly gymnastic basslines, the yelled exhortations to be taken away (by the nominal taxi) come before a piping-hot, oil-and-salt guitar solo that will palpitate hearts and set ears ablaze. Yep, this is a slam-dunker!
Stream the single here: https://found.ee/taxi-2
Photos: © Jim Louvau
