In 1967 a young guitarist arrived officially onto the music scene, and quickly became one of the most respected musicians ever to grace the Earth, armed with an electric guitar he set out to change music as we know it. James Marshall Hendrix was first properly spotted by Linda Keith, Keith Richard's girlfriend, who eventually brought him to meet Chas Chandler, the former bass guitarist for the Animals. He was looking for new acts to manage and produce and persuaded Hendrix to come to the UK and form a band to perform with him. Hendrix duly followed and was quickly joined by bass player Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, both of whom were English. Chas Chandler was convinced that he could make a success of the trio and suggested that they could do something with 'Hey Joe', which became Hendrix's first ht single. This was released to great success and followed up by 'Stone Free' and 'The Wind Cries Mary'. This were not included on the original release of the album, but were included on the re-mastered release, which I shall review here, as it is the more comprehensive edition. On the albums original release, it only managed to reach number 2, prevented from taking the top spot by the Beatles with Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album was still ranked as 15th on the list of the top 500 albums for Rolling Stone Magazine, which shows the quality of this debut release.

The main musical theme explored on the album are the blues, a staple for Hendrix and etched into his musical background, of which more can be seen on the release of Blues. The songs themselves are al around three and a half minutes in length, a feature trumped by Chas Chandler, as he believed that all songs should have the capability to be released as singles. But despite these perhaps constraining elements, Hendrix's ability as both a writer and a guitarist shine through, building up to the more complex themes dealt with on Axis: Bold As Love and beyond. I should point out that this release is the re-mastered UK release and as such has a different track listing to that of the US and some other releases, so be warned when buying copies, make sure you check which one you are purchasing.

1. Foxey Lady *****

The opening to this album is a classic, with the slow build up from the guitar before it heightens and the drums and bass are released upon the listener. This song was said by Hendrix to be one of the few happy songs in his canon, although whether this is true or not is down to the listener themselves. The guitar is the main highlight on this song, as is backed up well by Mitchell, but the vocals on this are great really show what a prolific talent he was. The song itself is quite simple and contains a basic structure, but it is done so well, with the tones and emotions expressed by Hendrix both lyrically and through the music astounding.

2. Manic Depression *****

A song with a bit more bite as you may have guessed from the title. The instruments are harder and it is a much more driving song, with the vocals simply lying on the bedrock created by the drums and guitar and bringing the listener along. This though is very much a song driven by the instruments and the drumming on Mitchell's' part is great and really provides the spine of this song.

3. Red House *****

One of the big highlights of this album, this song is all about the blues and is one of Hendrix's classic tracks, with some spectacular guitar, which most may attempt but will likely fail to come to this level. The song describes his visit to his old flames house, but finds it empty and as such decides to leave, but despite his blues, he's still got his guitar. I can't really recommend this song, but I would say that if you have heard this before, it will likely be the later recorded version, which varies slightly from this, with an ever so slightly different guitar part, but both are great and you won't be disappointed.

4. Can You See Me ****

This is a good song but not quite up to that of the previous track, relying more upon repetition, but this is still a good song and features song great guitar parts, especially the twang between the lines at the beginning. Some nice drumming as well and quite a good track on the whole, but lyrically it is a bit bland and doesn't really progress or move one from where it begins.

5. Love or Confusion *****

I like this song, as it feels quite atmospheric and the vocals seem almost to be coming through the air, an almost spectral presence in the song, backed by a band in the mists. I am not sure if this is how the track was originally designed to be heard, but that's how I feel and regardless of that it is a good track. The lyrics themselves deal with the confusion that comes with love and the problems that can arise from passion and desire, shrouding the person in confusion and unknowing, which is really how the song feels, beyond the normal and coming from the subconscious.

6. I Don't Live Today *****

A song that was a highlight of many live shows and present in a large number, which is good as this is another great track, taking in some of the older blues influences and putting them in a more modern sense and feel. The drums from Mitchell are again a highlight, but they always were, with the tone produced by the guitar a joy. The song again feels very un-earthly and seems to come from somewhere else, but then that may just be good production.

7. May This Be Love ***

One of the more pop-influenced tracks on the album, and as such probably the weakest track on here. The lyrics feel a bit too corny and pop-induced, but the instrumentation is still good and that makes this track better then it may otherwise have been.

8. Fire *****

After the previous track this is a joy, another hit for Hendrix and despite its short length and simple structure, this is a good track, with some nice background vocals from Mitchell and Redding. The song was apparently inspired by a meeting with one of the band member's relations on a cold winter day, with Hendrix bitterly cold, he asked them if he could 'stand next to your fire'. But even from these humble origins, this is a good track and stands up well.

9. Third Stone from the Sun *****

This is probably the most creative track on the album and one where Hendrix can really go to town on the instrumentation, as this is primarily an instrumental track, and the production. The song feels very laid back and you can just enjoy this song for what it is, when the vocals do kick in though, the song picks up a bit and we come to an almost surreal part. The vocals seem to be shrouded in mist, and again this song feels almost other-worldly. This song would hint at the richer themes and ideas that came about on his later albums and shines out on this album as the longest track, coming in at a pretty short 6.44.

10. Remember *****

This song is a nice track that is more vocal driven which deals with broken relationships again, and contains some nice lyrics which deal with the break-up almost in the second-person. The song builds up and the instruments kick in proper around the minute mark and show the talent that the group had as a whole, with each of them staying close and in tune.

11. Are You Experienced? *****

This was the original closing track to the album, containing some nice backwards guitar and more up-beat and powerful music. The lyrics themselves are very non-specific and seem not to really explain to the listener the exact nature of what they are speaking of, but perhaps this is implied, although I will leave it to you to decide what you believe it is about. The song though is good and the creative elements suggested by some of the other tracks are shown here with the more varied and inventive instrumentations, mainly done by the backwards guitar.

12. Hey Joe *****

The extra tracks begin with the song that made Hendrix famous in the UK, a cover of Billy Roberts, which takes on the slower instrumentation and style of some of the later coves of this. The song is good, and the guitar is prevalent throughout and comes in with a great solo. This was his entrance to the world as a serious musician and isn't it good, taking on elements of the blues, and not too over the top and quite soft, showing a maturity and style in his work.

13. Stone Free *****

His second single release comes next, which deals with touring and his possible distaste for some of the people that he has met through it. Perhaps looking to break away from the constraints that he had as an early musician, but then perhaps it was too early for that, but whatever it is about, the lyrics are solid and keep the song together. The percussion side of this song is the main boost behind the vocals and the main stand out, but some nice guitar parts in the chorus back this up.

14. Purple Haze *****

If you are reading this review I think you will have at least heard some of purple haze, which is often seen as his best track, although I would disagree with that suggestion, but then I often do. The song was apparently inspired by some of Hendrix's more surreal dreams that take on some of the elements of science fiction novels, which he loved. The song does have a journey feel and the song does seem to almost flow through something, with the guitar part, which is astounding and probably the main highlight of the song. But the combination of the surreal lyrics and instruments make this an incredible track.

15. 51st Anniversary ****

I like the instrumentation on this song, but then some of the lyrics do seem to be a bit comic and not quite up there with some of his best, but this is still a good song, and includes both softer and harder parts, with some nice guitar parts that drive the song along. It does seem to suggest Hendrix's desire not to get married and shows that he may not have wanted the things that come with a longer relationship and continue the ideas of Stone Free in not being held down by or to anything.

16. The Wind Cries Mary *****

One of his best songs, which shows the variety of his music, with this softer song that again includes song great almost surreal lyrics that deal with love and desire. The guitar is smooth and ambles along nicely, with some great overdubs at points that back the vocals nicely. The solo on this is sublime, with a softer feel and a slower pace to some of his others offerings. I would tell anyone to listen to this track now if they think Hendrix was just about hard loud solos and flashy instrumentation, as this will definitely show them otherwise.

17. Highway Chile *****

The final track on the album is a really good track that contains some nice driving guitar and bass that help the lyrics and vocals develop and boost the narrative. The song is about a person without the bounds of a home or relationships, which again seems to be a big them on this album, the desire not to be held back or pigeonholed, whether this was one of his fears, I do not know, but that's how it seems to me. A nice track to close a great album, although Are You Experienced? Is probably the better closing track with its feel of finality and being the title track, but then the unreleased stuff is probably best left to last, so this track is as good as any.

Few musicians have had such a huge and profound effect on the entire scene and history of rock music, but even fewer have done so with there debut album. This is a huge testament to his ability and vision, he was a man that wanted to change the world, with his guitar and a notebook, and he really was someone who wanted to do something. If you ever have the desire to look at the vast quantities of unreleased material and live pieces he made, you will truly understand how hard he worked, he basically lived in the studio when he wasn't touring. He was one of the greatest musicians ever to live, and easily the best guitarist, no one else has even com close to the level he attained. He became a legend in the space of four years, leaving this world far too soon, but his legacy lives on in his music, and if you want to discover Hendrix for yourself then I would far and away recommend this, which contains a huge number of his hits and provide you with a glimpse of his ability and talent with an electric guitar.