

The Jimi Hendrix legend has always included stories about all the great things he did as a sideman for other musicians. Finding that material was often difficult or available only through inferior bootleg channels. The first part of this collection features Hendrix’s work with the Isley Brothers, Don Covay and Little Richard. From there come terrific remixes mostly by Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer that reveal greater sound, since Kramer went back to the original tapes to offer versions before mixdowns. So “Fire” is doubly loud. “Are You Experienced?” is instrumental. “Castles Made of Sand” is another fantastic instrumental version where Hendrix’s guitar is sharp and the tone is downright scary. There are recordings in hotel rooms: the Band’s “Tears of Rage,” an early work version of “Hear My Train’ a Comin’,” an easeful version of “Long Hot Summer Night” and the tender “Angel.” There are more live recordings at the Fillmore, outtakes from the Band of Gypsys album (“Stone Free,” “Foxey Lady”). And more incredible recordings like “Suddenly November Morning” from Jimi’s Greenwich Village apartment, which includes the seeds of a new song that flows into “Drifting.” His talent is baffling to this day.