Legacy/Sony

Jimi Hendrix is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest electric guitarists ever, which is a miraculous accomplishment considering that the Seattle-born musician had a mainstream career lasting only four years before his untimely death in 1970. What his sound might have developed into is ultimately speculation, but People, Hell & Angels captures the guitarist exploring the possibilities in 12 unreleased tracks from 1968-69. During these years, Hendrix had grown increasingly restless, eager to work on new sounds outside of the then mega-successful Experience trio. Likewise, this album’s true gems lay in tracks that glimpse his evolving tastes. “Let Me Move You” brings Jimi and old friend, Lonnie Youngblood, together in an epic exchange of sax and guitar riffs. “Easy Blues” and Woodstock classic, “Izabella” find Larry Lee providing rhythmic guitar backing, melodically contouring Hendrix’s signature aggressive leads. “Mojo Man” has Hendrix abdicating vocal duties to Albert and Arthur Allen of Ghetto Fighters, resulting in a mesmerizing horn-laden, R&B-rock hybrid. And though this album features several unreleased renditions of what would eventually become some of Hendrix’s biggest classics ( “Inside Out,” “Hey Gypsy Boy” ), it’s the songs that hint at what could have been that prove most tantalizing. This is essential Jimi Hendrix.