Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
4 stars out of 4
The remaining Electric Ladyland studio tracks that Jimi Hendrix recorded
before his death in 1970 came out in different and unsatisfactory
forms on "Cry of Love", "War Heroes", "Rainbow Bridge", and "Voodoo Soup."
"First Rays of the New Rising Sun" was released in 1997 by the Hendrix
family, and they addressed all of those inadequacies. Finally the
tracks got the proper remastering that Hendrix's music deserved. Eddie
Kramer was working with Hendrix and his band (s) for months in the
studio to develop this music (Members of both the Experience and Band
of Gypsys would contribute to the sessions).
It's immediately evident that Hendrix was headed in a new direction
with his music, although we will never know definitively what he had
in mind. The one thing that is obvious is that Hendrix was leaning
more towards building a funk and rhythm and blues foundation for each
song. In contrast songs like "Angel" revealed a softer side of Jimi,
which had a dreamy lushness to it that was not evident in any of his
previous work. On the other hand, he still was cranking out his trademark
psychedelic funk filled rockers like "Room Full of Mirrors," "In From
The Storm," and the instrumental "Beginnings."
Hendrix had a vision that wasn't fully realized, yet it's apparent
that his family has completed the circle the best they could and put
some closure on Jimi's career. His artistry and recorded works are
only part of putting together his fascinating life; this is one more
piece of the puzzle that allows all of us that continue to enjoy his
music to appreciate what he left us behind. I can't think of anyone
that is making music like this today, if there was they would be world
renowned superstars without equal. Some of the good things that have
come of his music are that many great artists have emulated him. Lenny
Kravitz, Prince, and Scott Finch, to name a few, have all been inspired
and influenced by his music. All of them continue to etch in time
their own mark upon our musical history with Jimi's stamp.
This material was originally intended to be a two album set, and that
is what you get, 17 tracks of top quality Hendrix music, with more
sonics and oomph than it ever had before. It's more than likely that
it would have sounded even better if it had been completed from start
to finish with Jimi's direction, nevertheless we will continue to
take it all in with open arms and ears.
Songs:
1. Freedom (Hendrix) - 3:26
2. Izabella (Hendrix) - 2:50
3. Night Bird Flying (Hendrix) - 3:50
4. Angel (Hendrix) - 4:21
5. Room Full of Mirrors (Hendrix) - 3:21
6. Dolly Dagger (Hendrix) - 4:44
7. Ezy Ryder (Hendrix) - 4:07
8. Drifting (Hendrix) - 3:48
9. Beginnings (Hendrix) - 4:12
10. Stepping Stone (Hendrix) - 4:12
11. My Friend (Hendrix) - 4:36
12. Straight Ahead (Hendrix) - 4:42
13. Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (Hendrix) - 6:04
14. Earth Blues (Hendrix) - 4:21
15. Astro Man (Hendrix) - 3:34
16. In from the Storm (Hendrix) - 3:41
17. Belly Button Window (Hendrix) - 3:36
Credits:
Buddy Miles - Drums, Vocals (bckgr)
Mitch Mitchell-Drums
Stephen Stills - Piano
Steve Winwood - Vocals (bckgr)
Buzzy Linhart - Vibraphone
The Ronettes - Vocals (bckgr)
Billy Armstrong - Percussion
Paul Caruso - Harmonica
Billy Cox - Bass, Vocals (bckgr)
Jimi Hendrix - Bass, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Mixing
Eddie Kramer - Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Photography, Remastering
George Marino - Remastering
Emmeretta Marks - Vocals (bckgr)
Linda McCartney - Photography
Mitch Mitchell - Drums, Producer, Mixing
Juma Sultan - Percussion
Chris Wood - Vocals (bckgr)
Albert "Ghetto Fingers" Allen - Vocals (bckgr)
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