Jimi Hendrix’s debut recording was an instant classic, and is as startling today as when it first hit the streets in 1967. ‘Are You Experienced‘ is probably the most rock-oriented of Hendrix’s official studio releases, but its influences are incredibly diverse. ‘Third Stone From the Sun’ recalls the supple octaves of Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery; the churning afro-cuban polyrhythms of ‘Manic Depression’ evoke John Coltrane and Elvin Jones; ‘I Don’t Live Today‘ employs ritualistic native American drumbeats; and the title tune borrows the eastern airs of sitarist Ravi Shankar. The mix is dark and churning, a dense wall of sound.

Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding blast away with a barely controlled fury, and there’s a distorted metallic edge to Hendrix’s guitar timbre that has made ‘Are You Experienced‘ a particular favourite among rock and heavy-metal guitarists. ‘Purple Haze‘ and ‘Foxey Lady‘ helped define the power-trio format, thanks to Hendrix’s full-bodied rhythm guitar and his soaring solos. ‘Are You Experienced‘ also established Hendrix as a singer-songwriter. His Dylanesque vocals and spacey imagery make each tune a little gem, especially on gentle outings such as the ballad ‘The Wind Cries Mary.’

Side One
Foxy Lady – (3.22)
Manic Depression – (3.46)
Red House – (3.53)
Can You See Me – (2.35)
Love Or Confusion – (3.17)
I Don’t Live Today – (3.58)

Side Two
May This Be Love – (3.14)
Fire – (2.47)
Third Stone from the Sun (6.5)
Remember (2.53)
Are You Experienced – (4.17)

Side Three
Hey Joe – e (3.30)
Stone Free – (3.36)
Purple Haze – (2.51)

Side Four
51st Anniversary – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (3.15)
The Wind Cries Mary – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (3.2)
Highway Chile – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (3.32)