Published: August 26, 2026 · 11:58 PM EDT
The new trio releases its self-titled album December 11 through She2Music, with Carlos Santana guesting and Eddie Kramer producing a record built around Orianthi, the longtime Santana and Lenny Kravitz drummer, and the former Prince bassist
Orianthi, Cindy Blackman Santana and Rhonda Smith have formed a new power trio called The Power of 3, with their self-titled debut album scheduled for December 11, 2026 through She2Music.
The album was produced by veteran engineer and producer Eddie Kramer, whose recording history includes work with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Kiss and The Rolling Stones, and was recorded entirely in analog. Carlos Santana also appears as a guest on the record.
The Power of 3 introduced the album on August 26 with two songs released simultaneously: “War In The Streets” and “Treat Me Like A Lady.”
The project traces back to a suggestion from Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, who encouraged Orianthi to put together a power trio influenced by the format of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys.
Orianthi approached drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, whose career includes long associations with Lenny Kravitz and Carlos Santana. The pair then recruited bassist Rhonda Smith, whose credits include extended work with Prince as well as performances with Jeff Beck and Beyoncé.
The lineup had already begun appearing publicly before announcing the album, performing twice at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, including a performance ahead of the Raiders-Cowboys game in November 2025.
Orianthi has emphasized that The Power of 3 is intended as an actual band rather than a solo project built around her.
Kramer’s involvement gives the project a direct connection with the recording history that originally inspired it.
Orianthi told Guitar World that Kramer approached the sessions in an intentionally old-school manner, paying particular attention to microphone placement, amplifiers, guitar settings and effects rather than treating the production as a primarily digital process.
She said Kramer’s presence also pushed the musicians in directions other producers had not. The finished album is being described by the band and label as entirely analog-recorded. That production choice is especially appropriate for a trio whose original concept was partly inspired by the stripped-down power-trio format associated with Hendrix and Band of Gypsys.
The first two recordings show different sides of the group. “War In The Streets” was built around a chorus written by Mark Davis, with The Power of 3 developing the verses and music before completing the track with Kramer.
“Treat Me Like A Lady” places greater emphasis on groove, including a Motown-influenced bass part from Rhonda Smith.
THE POWER OF 3 - TRACKLIST
Qobuz currently lists the self-titled album with 10 tracks and a December 11 release through She2Music.
01. Taxi
02. Treat Me Like A Lady
03. No Time For Love
04. Stay
05. War In The Streets
06. Power Of Love
07. Can’t Stop Dreaming
08. Love The Way You Love Me
09. Damn Fool
10. This World’s Alright
The Power of 3 brings together musicians whose careers previously developed in very different environments.
Orianthi has worked with artists including Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper; Blackman Santana’s history extends through Lenny Kravitz, Santana and jazz; and Smith spent years playing with Prince before working with artists including Jeff Beck. Rather than presenting those résumés as the story by themselves, the new album places the three musicians inside a stripped-down band format, with Kramer recording the result in analog.
The Power of 3 arrives December 11, 2026 through She2Music.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Jim Louvau / Courtesy of She2Music
Watch The Power of 3’s “War In The Streets” official lyric video below:
