Rock supergroups don’t usually emerge from impromptu jams in Cabo San Lucas clubs, and for that matter,aren’t usually successes by their own merits. However, in Chickenfoot’s eponymous debut, we have a fully independent blues-rock hit spawned in the well-partied depths of Sammy Hagar’s (ex-Van Halen singer) Cabo Wabo Nightclub.

Consisting of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Joe Satriani (solo artist), Chickenfoot dares combine some of the most well-known names in modern rock into one band. The four members played a series of jams at Hagar’s nightclub and made their live debut during one of Hagar’s solo shows. A short time later, the band was hard at work crafting “Chickenfoot.”

Conflicts of ego come between the members of many super-bands and the music usually suffers, but nothing of that sort is evident on the Chickenfoot album. Every track showcases the individual talents of each member inside the framework of heavy-hitting rock compositions. You can really feel the cohesion and chemistry between the musicians as their respective sounds combine to form an entirely new musical animal. That animal is an album full of fun, funky and emotive rock and roll that gets you rocking to the beat. All we need is to examine the component parts of the band, and then imagine the best possible combination of them.

Sammy Hagar was the charismatic frontman that helped Van Halen to its era of commercial success between ‘85 and ‘96 and he now lends his voice and fiery personality to the eleven songs on “Chickenfoot.” Ten of the songs were co-written by Hagar and Satriani, a power duo if there ever was one. Hagar’s voice and lyrics give so much life to the songs, one can’t help smiling at the energy. Hagar really shines on “Sexy Little Thing,” “Runnin’ Out” and “Down The Drain.”

And then there’s Joe Satriani. Since his 1987 hit album “Surfing With The Alien,” Satriani has been known as the preeminent guitar god, displaying prodigious talent on all of his 15 albums. Despite playing primarily instrumental music, Satriani jumps into the role of riff-master easily. His hooks areequally powerful and technically interesting; they are as fresh as they are heavy. Of course, Satriani has his fair share of solos on the album, each of which is perfect evidence of his technical virtuosity and impeccable taste. Satriani is killer on “Oh Yeah” and “Future In The Past.”

Behind it all is Chad Smith, known for his membership in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Though the Chickenfoot record is a rock and roll effort, Smith still brings the funk, giving the tracks their own swing and flair. Like Satriani, he’s playing a different part then he’s used to, but really shines in the role. He is a truly solid rock drummer and drives the album with driving funk-inflected beats.

Not least is Michael Anthony, also of Van Halen, who completes the band’s rhythm section. His solid playing keeps every song grounded and fills out the sonic spectrum. Anthony also stands out with his signature backup vocals. His vocals behind Hagar’s were what made Van Halen sound like Van Halen, and that power is not lost on this album. The lyrics have a special texture when harmonized by Anthony.

These musicians are more than a supergroup, they’re an actual band, a single, cohesive unit that sounds comfortable and organic. Of course, the professionalism of the members does not go unnoticed, the album sounds crisp and well-rehearsed (partly due to producer Andy Johns [Led Zeppelin, Van Halen]); the track credited to all four members. “Down The Drain” was recorded in only one take. Basically, the album is a head-banging blues-rock monster that is carnally satisfying, regardless of the listener’ s genre preference. I rate the album a 4.7/5, the ballads “My Kinda Girl” and “LearningTo Fall” are weaker than the other tracks, but are halfway redeemed by the super-cool heat-sensitive ink used to print the CD sleeve (it changes color when you touch it).