Record Reviews

JIMI HENDRIX ~ FIRST RAYS OF THE NEW RISING SUN (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY 762168 (Barcode: 886976215828) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2010 This incredible collection of 17 tracks, which were (all except one) recorded by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist during the months shortly preceding his tragic and untimely death in September 1970, are a best possible reconstruction of the next double LP Jimi planned to release under this title as the follow up to "Electric LadylandFind albums with this title". Most of the work on these tracks was done in the newly constructed Electric Lady studio, which was Jimi´s brainchild and dream. Engineered by Eddie KramerFind albums by this artist, the same sound engineer who recorded all Jimi´s studio material, these songs were never finished and polished to perfection the way Hendrix would have probably made them as their final versions, but we´ll never know how that would have turned out. But under these circumstances, whatever is here in whatever shape or stage of completion, is surely important and essential enough to be cherished and remembered, as is every note Hendrix played during his short life. The music is performed by the usual Hendrix trio Mk II with Billy CoxFind albums by this artist on bass and Mitch MitchellFind albums by this artist on drums, with several other artists appearing on various tracks. Stylistically the music is quite different from the early Jimi Hendrix Experience material, with Jimi pushing constantly to cover more ground away from the Blues influences into more Rhythm And Blues and even Soul influenced music, in a way coming back full circle to the music he used to play in his formative years. But of course his genus guitar work and vocal delivery make whatever style he was playing in less significant, since anything he touched was, and always will be, first and foremost Jimi Hendrix. All these songs were previously released on three posthumous Hendrix albums in 1971 ("The Cry Of LoveFind albums with this title" and "Rainbow BridgeFind albums with this title") and 1972 ("War HeroesFind albums with this title"), but grouped together here they are the first proper treatment of this material. This new edition, newly remastered, adds a specially filmed DVD, which explores the process of creating this music. Essential stuff for body and soul!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

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