January 10, 2010


Nearly 40 years after his death, Jimi Hendrix remains not only rock's most iconic and influential guitarist but perhaps its most prolific ghost.

Valleys of Neptune, containing a dozen previously unreleased studio tracks recorded mostly in 1969, arrives March 9 to kick off Sony/Legacy's massive reissue campaign.

The legend's 11th studio album — the eighth to be issued posthumously and first since 1980 — boasts his Experience trio's final studio recordings, his earliest sessions with bassist Billy Cox and the long-shelved Mr. Bad Luck, intended for 1968's Axis: Bold as Love.

Also included is a frenzied Fire, the long-coveted title track (out globally Feb. 2), a sprawling cover of Cream's Sunshine of Your Love and such retooled originals as Lover Man, Red House and Crying Blue Rain. Throughout, Hendrix displays confidence, humor, spontaneity and his trademark virtuosity as he undergoes a shift from psychedelia and unbridled soloing to R&B structures.

"It's wonderfully fresh material," says longtime Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer, who originally recorded, and newly mixed, the Neptune tracks, employing high-tech digital and analog gear to cleanse the audio. "You hear the pure essence of the band, an in-your-face vibrancy. There were only four tracks and no overdubs, with Jimi singing as if he's in a concert. He's at the top of his game."

Just as 2009's Beatles reissues ignited sales across generations, Neptune and the upgraded Hendrix catalog are expected to lure rock fans of all ages. The March 9 batch includes deluxe editions of Are You Experienced, Axis, Electric Ladyland and First Rays of the New Rising Sun, each with a bonus DVD documentary.

"We're going to generate a ton of excitement about Hendrix," predicts Adam Block, senior vice president of Legacy Recordings. "Today we experience Hendrix on rock radio, movies, soundtracks, TV. That really reflects the timelessness of this material. And beyond the recordings, there's the spirit of Jimi and what he represents: uncompromising originality. That's so rare, and you can't underestimate how that contributes to his current relevance."

Hendrix left a wealth of pristine studio and live tapes.

"There's a strong vault, a lot of live stuff, that we have yet to tap into," says Kramer, marveling at what the storied ax man might have achieved had he not died in 1970 at age 27.

"I'm sure he would have incorporated the past and hip-hop and dance and all the modern technology. He would have gone into symphonic jazz with a huge horn section. He'd be a huge force."

Well, more huge.


http://www.usatoday.com/l...1_ST_N.htm
[Edited 1/10/10 21:06pm]

This is a bit disheartening at first read as I know i've read articles with Eddie Kramer where he's pretty much stated that they've already released all that's worth releasing.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's in this group of tunes.



Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

theAudience said:

I thought we got a sense of where Jimi was goin next on "Band Of Gypsys" and what became "First Rays", but if there's more I'd love 2 hear it.....

diamondpearl1 said:

We'll see. I'll remain skeptical until i've heard it.
Hate to see his legacy trashed for the sake of a dollar.


Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

theAudience said:

Word. Which is what Eddie Kramer has done, historically...

While I agree that that they are trying to milk Hendrix's catalog as much as possible...and it IS pretty ridiculous to be rereleasing some of these cd's which were already released as "remastered" in the late 90's (I believe)...

I WILL say that "Valleys of Neptune" is a DOPE song worthy of being released...
2 instrumental versions were already released in the past few years officially by Hendrix's camp on the cd "Hear My Music" and I have a version with Hendrix's vocals that I downloaded on the internet quite a few years ago....

"Valleys of Neptune"...check it out.....

http://blog.seattlepi.com...190698.asp

it's a good thing that they got the rights from Alan Douglas Experience Hendrix had a good thing going initially. I may give it a chance, the reissues seem unnecessary, the comp may have a few interesting things. I'm just glad Chas Chandler purposely withheld material from Alan Douglas

emilio319 said:

great song indeed
been out for long too , off this album

http://www.discogs.com/Ji...se/1345814
[Edited 1/11/10 16:12pm]

theAudience said:

agreed

This is an outrage.

Giovanni777 said:

Actually, Eddie Kramer is the one you should be able to trust.
Alan Douglas was the one that's been suspect.


Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

theAudience said:

Douglas was a complete prick and a half

The title track is streaming online at:
http://www.spinner.com/20...-premiere/

Admittedly, I'm only a casual fan and don't know anything about the politics surrounding the handling of his estate, but I'm enjoying the Valleys of Neptune set. The standout track for me is the early version of "Ezy Ryder", "Lullaby For The Summer". The driving beat, funky bass, and guitar lines that will be stuck in my head for days is just my style.

My review of Valleys of Neptune:

http://according2g.com/20...i-hendrix/

ahhh here we go. i knew there had to be a thread about these. i am loving them. thoughts? love the packaging and the sound is terrific, haven't watched the DVDs yet.

seriously.. little wing is a perfect song.

It's OK.