Review: Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

For having a relatively short recording existence, Jimi Hendrix has quite the extensive catalog. Although only three official Experience albums exist, there have been enough studio tapes for years and years of rereleases. Decades of in fighting amongst Hendrix's family have lead to some bad business choices which has made many die hards weary of another "new" album of "new" material.

Valleys Of Neptune is the most significant release since 1997's First Rays Of The Rising Sun - which was the album Hendrix was working on before his untimely death at the age of 27. Neptune comes complete with unreleased material, rerecorded renditions of already famous Experience songs and a couple tried and true blues jams which act as a vehicle for Hendix, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding to improv to their heart's content.

The title track is the only real stand out (hear the song below). A rough bootleg has floated around on the net for years, but has now been given the glossy treatment by producer Eddie Kramer who worked with Hendrix on Electric Ladyland. The tune shows a Hendrix eager to leave the psychedelic shimmer of the 60's behind and focus on riffage and blistering licks to build a groove.

"Bleeding Heart", "Hear My Train A' Comin" and a rerecording of "Red House" may be solid blues sessions, but they offer nothing new we haven't heard from Hendrix before. A blazing instrumental of Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" - written by the band about Jimi Hendrix (maybe that's why he loved it so much huh?) - surprisingly comes off as something real as opposed to just a warm up jam.

Is there anything really important or ground breaking on Valleys Of Neptune aside from the title track? No. But there is enough material here to again validate Hendrix's supreme dominance on guitar - as if we needed more evidence right? Almost 40 years since his passing, no one has come close to surpassing his talents without blatantly ripping him off. Sorry Yngwie Malmsteen when you play we hear it. When Jimi plays everyone feels it.

Move over Rover and let Jimi take over.

Grade: B-