New Hendrix album set for release
A new Jimi Hendrix album will be released on March 9 - 40 years after the guitar hero died in mysterious circumstances.
Valleys of Neptune contains twelve tracks never before commercially available, which Hendrix recorded during a turbulent period near the end of his life.
It’s the opening salvo from the Jimi Hendrix Catalogue Project, which also presents deluxe editions of the band’s previously-released albums with bonus material. Further previously-unheard work is promised in the coming months, with Janie Hendrix, the legend’s sister, having said there’s a decade of unheard music in the vaults.
In mid 1969 the classic Jimi Hendrix Experience lineup was in turmoil. Bassist Noel Redding was being replaced by Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell was soon to be sent packing too.
This was the background to the sessions which make up Valleys of Neptune, which includes covers of Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love and Elmore James’ Bleeding Heart, plus Mr Bad Luck, a track recorded in 1967.
Valleys of Neptune
Stone Free (with Hendrix, Cox, Mitchell plus Roger Chapman and Andy Fairweather Low)
Valleys of Neptune (Hendrix, Mitchell, Cox plus Juma Sultan)
Bleeding Heart (Hendrix, Cox, Rocky Isaac plus Chris Grimes and Al Marks)
Hear My Train A Comin’ (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell)
Mr Bad Luck (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell)
Sunshine of Your Love (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell plus Rocki Szidzornu)
Lover Man (Hendrix, Mitchell, Redding)
Ships Passing Through the Night (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell)
Fire (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell)
Lullaby for the Summer (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell)
Crying Blue Rain (Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell plus Rocki Szidzornu)
The album has been mixed by long-time Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer, and clocks in at 60 minutes in length. It offers more insight into the artist’s genre-changing approach to studio technique.
Janie Hendrix says: “Jimi was at home in the studio. Valleys of Neptune offers deep insight into his master of the recording process and demonstrates the fact he was as unparalleled a recording innovator as he was a guitarist. His brilliance shines through on every one of these precious tracks.”
In 1970. after outings with the Band of Gypsys and an alternative Experience lineup, Hendrix would open his own Electric Lady Studios, spending just two months in the New York premises before travelling to London. He died there on September 8, with one of his trusted roadies, James Tappy Wright, alleging the guitarist was murdered by his manager.
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