CDs review: Jimi Hendrix – Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision – 2024: Video, CD covers

‘Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision’ is the latest in-depth project from Experience Hendrix, encompassing 3CD/ 1 Blu-Ray of previously unreleased music Jimi Hendrix recorded at his newly created recording facility in 1970

The deluxe box set offers 39 tracks (38 previously unreleased) that were recorded by the new-look Experience (Billy Cox on bass, Mitch Mitchell on drums) at Electric Lady Studios between June and August of 1970, just before the legendary musician’s untimely death the following month.

The project also includes 20 newly created 5.1 surround sound mixes of the entire First Rays Of The New Rising Sun album plus three bonus tracks [“Valleys Of Neptune,” “Pali Gap,” and “Lover Man”].

The Blu-ray includes the critically acclaimed, full-length documentary Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision.
The film chronicles the creation of the studio, rising from the rubble of a bankrupt Manhattan nightclub to state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Hendrix’s desire for a permanent studio.

Directed by John McDermott and Produced by Janie Hendrix, George Scott and McDermott, the film features exclusive interviews with Steve Winwood [who joined Hendrix on the first night of recording at the new studio], Experience bassist Billy Cox, and original Electric Lady staff members who helped Hendrix realize his dream.

The documentary includes never-before-seen footage and photos as well as track breakdowns of Hendrix classics such as “Freedom,” “Angel” and “Dolly Dagger” by recording engineer Eddie Kramer. The package includes an extensive booklet filled with unpublished photos, Hendrix’s handwritten song drafts, and comprehensive liner notes.

Tracks:
CD 1
01) Ezy Ryder [Alternate Mix]* 6/18/70
02) Valleys Of Neptune [Alternate Version]* 6/15/70
03) Straight Ahead [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70
04) Drifter’s Escape [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70
05) Astro Man [Takes 9 & 10]* 6/24/70
06) Astro Man [Take 14]* 6/24/70
07) Drifting [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/25/70
08) Night Bird Flying [Take 25]* 6/16/70
09) Farther Up The Road* 6/24/70
10) The Long Medley [Astro Man / Beginnings / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) / Midnight Lightning (Keep On Groovin’) / Freedom]* 6/24/70

CD 2
01) Earth Blues [Alternate Mix]* 6/26/70
02) Dolly Dagger [Takes 17 & 18]* 7/1/70
03) Angel [Take 7]* 7/23/70
04) Beginnings [Take 5]* 7/1/70
05) Lover Man 7/20/70
06) Tune X* / Just Came In [Take 6]* 7/22/70
07) Heaven Has No Sorry [Demo]* 6/26/70
08) Freedom [Take 4]* 6/25/70
09) Valleys Of Neptune [Demo]* 6/26/70
10) Come Down Hard On Me [Take 15]* 7/15/70
11) Dolly Dagger [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70
12) Messing Around [Take 17]* 6/16/70
13) Tune X* / Just Came In [Take 8]* 7/22/70
14) Drifting [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70
15) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70
16) Belly Button Window [Take 1]* 7/23/70

CD 3
01) Dolly Dagger [Mix 2]* 8/20/70
02) Night Bird Flying [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70
03) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70
04) Midnight Lightning* / Beginnings* 7/1/70
05) Straight Ahead [Alternate Mix]* 8/20/70
06) In From The Storm [Alternate Mix]* 8/24/70
07) Bolero* / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70
08) Drifter’s Escape [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70
09) Astro Man [Alternate Version]* 8/22/70
10) Bleeding Heart [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70
11) Drifting [Alternate Version]* 11/20/70
12) Room Full Of Mirrors [Alternate Version]* 10/19/70
13) Angel [Alternate Version]* 10/19/70

*Previously unreleased
First Rays of the New Rising Sun + Bonus Tracks 5.1 Mixes

01) Freedom
02) Izabella
03) Night Bird Flying
04) Angel
05) Room Full of Mirrors
06) Dolly Dagger
07) Ezy Ryder
08) Drifting
09) Beginnings
10) Stepping Stone
11) My Friend
12) Straight Ahead
13) Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)
14) Earth Blues
15) Astro Man
16) In From the Storm
17) Belly Button Window
18) Pali Gap (from Rainbow Bridge album)
19) Lover Man (from Jimi Hendrix Experience box set)
20) Valleys of Neptune (from Valleys of Neptune album)