Think You’ve Heard The Last From Jimi Hendrix? Think Again!

It’s not often we hear the announcement of a new album from an artist who has passed on. That’s exactly what’s happening with the planned release of a new Jimi Hendrix album in just a few days on March 9th.

Veteran recording engineer Eddie Kramer mixed the 12 tracks that make up the new album, which bears the title Valleys Of Neptune. Those tracks were recorded by Hendrix over a period of four months during 1969, approximately a year before his untimely death at the age of 27.

Working on the new album was a surreal trip down memory lane for Kramer, whose memories of working with the guitar legend came flooding back as he heard not only the music that Hendrix laid down on tape, but also the conversations that took place in the studio at the time.

“That part of it’s really real. That’s the part that makes the hair on the back of your head stand up,” says Kramer.

He obviously holds Hendrix in high esteem, offering advice to young guitarists who are hoping to make their mark on the music scene. According to Kramer, if you want to play guitar, you should listen to Jimi Hendrix play first. Advice that probably not too many seasoned musicians would argue with.

What may be even more amazing than the release of this new album is what Hendrix’s sister had to say. Janie Hendrix, who serves as CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, reports that there are sufficient recordings in Jimi Hendrix archives to “ensure a new release every 12-18 months for the next 10 years.”

Although the guitar legend is missed by legions of fans, his prolific writing and recording may offer more surprises in the coming years. Perhaps Valleys Of Neptune is just the start of previously unreleased material that Hendrix fans can look forward to; and what a cool name for an album, by the way.

The Hendrix legacy is likely to be as enduring as rock music itself. His creativity and raw talent inspires and influences guitar players to this day, and will probably do so for many decades to come.

Valleys Of Neptune will be available from Amazon.com.

For more on this new Hendrix release, visit Spinner.