After the huge success of his debut album Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix and the rest of the Jimi Hendrix Experience were under pressure to produce again, and of course they did. Coming only half a year after the release of Are You Experienced, comes this more creative and meandering album that tends to be forgotten after the likes of his debut and Electric Ladyland, but it shouldn't be, as this is just as good an addition to the Jimi Hendrix catalogue, and considering the small amount that he released in his lifetime, any album should be snatched up and listened to immediately. The main idea that Jimi came up with for the album, is that he wanted his guitar to sound as if it was being played under water, and in many of the tracks this idea is evident. This is a great album that is often overlooked, but it shouldn't be, as this is an incredible collection of music and any Hendrix fan should own this.

Most of you may know the story about the first half of the album and the problems that were faced when doing it. This was because after finishing side one and mixing it, Jimi took it to a party as he was going to take it to his apartment afterwards for safe keeping, but shock horror, he left the master tape in the taxi, and as it had only just be done, there wasn't another copy. So the band was forced to reconvene to the studio and recreate the first side of the album in one night, as the record company was breathing down there necks for it to be released in time for the Christmas period. The managed to do all of the tracks except for If Six Was Nine, which they felt they couldn't recreate the same sounds. So Noel Redding was sent out to get an earlier tape of the song from his apartment, which he did, but it was wrinkled and damaged, so they were forced to flatten it and then managed to get the track as it had been before. Thus you may think that side one was a bit rushed, but considering the amount of times Jimi went through each track, they were well rehearsed, so nothing is lost.

1. EXP ****

The album begins with this quirky track that begins with a mock radio interview about aliens, a subject that Jimi loved to get into from his love of science fiction. Following on from the interview, comes a swirling sound of Jimi playing feedback guitar, which when played on good speakers will blow your mind. Four stars for the sheer creativity of it and its hinting at the tracks on Electric Ladyland.

2. Up from the Skies *****

A funky track with some really nice wah-wah guitar and effects on the vocals. This is a laid back beginning that doesn't really hint at the delights that await you, but I love the feel of this track, as if it was being played in a dark bar. A similar kind of thing would be done on Electric Ladyland with Have You Ever Been, but this feels funkier and is a good introduction to the album.

3. Spanish Castle Magic *****

A classic track with some really nice guitar and drum work, which picks up a bit from the previous track and is more of a focus. The lyrics and vocals are classic Hendrix and seem to meander about around a certain subject but never really going into any specific thing. I like this version, but the longer version presented on the four CD The Jimi Hendrix Experience set is the more definitive version, as it spreads this track and expands it further.

4. Wait until Tomorrow *****

A song that talks about the singer being rejected by his fellow runaway on the day they are due to escape together, a bit like Red House lyrically, but with a more relaxed funky sound that is present on most of this album. This was also done for the BBC sessions album, with a wilder version presented there, which should also be looked at for anyone who likes this song.

5. Ain't No Telling ****

This is quite a short song in comparison to the others, coming in at 1.49, but it is a quick bang bang, with some sharp lines and guitar lines that build up to the softer next track. In a way the lyrics could be considered to be a reprise of the previous track in their style, although the instrumentation is completely different.

6. Little Wing *****

A classic Hendrix ballad, with some soft whimsical guitar and a nice triangle sound perpetrating the song throughout. The lyrics remind me of the Wind Cries Mary, but this is more of a sad song, feeling more like a break up song than a love song, but regardless of that, this is a nice soft track before the harder If 6 Was 9.

7. If 6 Was 9 *****

The longest track on the album coming in at 5.33, which admittedly isn't that long looking at some of the tracks on the next album he released, but that is by the by. This is about not letting anyone tell you that what you are doing is wrong, just go on regardless, life is not for the others to live, only you. This is a heavy song and one of his hardest near the end. The song is also quite dynamic taking in a number of vocal styles and tunes throughout, so it never really feels that long. And for anyone interested, that is Hendrix playing the flute at the end of the track.

8. You Got Me Floatin' *****

The opener to side to of the album (or simply the second half for CD) is this track which is a bit like Up in the Skies in style and is a nice opening, with the chorus dominated by the backing vocals of Mitchell and Redding. The guitar hear does sound very light and funky and you could consider that to be an under water sound, but then that is down to your own interpretation.

9. Castles Made Of Sand *****

This is a song about how things don't always turn out how you thought they would, whether that be for better or worse, a theme that perhaps is the dominant one of the album, where not being held down was that for the first album. The guitar on this does sound like it is underwater and the drums and nice and not quite as dominating as they are on some of the other tracks, which suits the mellower feel of the song.

10. She's So Fine ****

I like the instrumentation on this song very much, but the lyrics and the vocals just don't do anything for me, as they are done by Noel Redding. He was never the best vocalist, although his Lennon impersonation on Day Tripper for the BBC sessions is good, as well as the vocals on She's So Strange, but here they don't quite work.

11. One Rainy Wish *****

An incredible song by Hendrix that is never given any credit as it is one that you won't find on any greatest hits collection, although it is found quite frequently on bootlegs of the Axis sessions. This is another light song, which is a bit ballady, with some nice soft guitar at the start, but this change for the chorus, where it picks and becomes more up tempo. This is a very dynamic song and really sums up the feel of this album with its lyrics and style of production and instrumentation, great track.

12. Little Miss Lover *****

Some of the funkiest guitar Jimi ever played is here, with this very foot tapping track, and some well produced vocals. This is again a very underwater funky track that would again sum up the album, as it doesn't really fit into any category, but I still so good. The lyrics are very pop based, but that doesn't really detract from this track, as the instrumentation takes it away from that.

13. Bold As Love *****

The album seems to have built up to this track, with its surreal lyrics and instrumentation to die for. The build up at the end, where it fades out and comes back in is one of the best passages I have ever heard, with some nice production on the final minute or so. This again seems to be about not letting anything get you down and pin you to something that you don't believe in. This is a spectacular closing track as most are on Jimi's albums.

Overall, this is a spectacular album that I always enjoy listening to, although I sometimes feel that it could have been expanded and lengthened, although that would be my only criticism. Some of the tracks on here are up there with his best and the instrumentation done by the entire Experience is sublime, taking on new shapes and ideas with every track, but all of it sounding tight and for the most part funk induced. When you ask most people what his best album was, then they will probably tell you either Are You Experienced or Electric Ladyland, but as most people have already said, this is an oft overlooked album that is definitely worthy of being in every Hendrix collection however small.