Jimi Hendrix
South Saturn Delta

Without question, Jimi Hendrix has released more albums posthumously than when he was alive. Much of what came out in the early 70's, following his death, could be considered bottom-of-the-bin stuff. But we can't neglect the fact that Hendrix spent a great many hours in the studio, and recorded as much valid, solid material, ready to release.

That such albums as THE CRY OF LOVE and RAINBOW BRIDGE would be acceptable, gaining shelf space alongside ELECTRIC LADYLAND and AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE, is a testament to the Hendrix legacy. For the next few years, compilations like CRASH LANDING and WAR HEROES would satisfy the public's craving for the man proclaimed the greatest guitar player to ever strum a chord.

When compact discs came out in the 80's, the scramble to format the new technology with the innovative Hendrix sound presented a broad opportunity to a number of parties. Suddenly, it was time to cash in on the entire Hendrix catalog and just about anyone who'd ever casually met Jimi came out of the woodwork. The self-appointed keeper of the flame, Alan Douglas, masterminded several different Hendrix CD releases, much of it live and previously unreleased.

In the last couple of years, however, Experience Hendrix, comprising of Jimi's father and sister, has revamped the original Reprise, Jimi Hendrix Experience catalog. A fourth CD -- FIRST RAYS OF THE NEW RISING SON -- was referred to as an album completed "the way Jimi intended." This year a CD of outtakes, demos and additional unreleased material sheds a new light on just how much time Jimi spent making music.

SOUTH SATURN DELTA is much more retrospective than FIRST RAYS, covering Hendrix' days with Gypsy Sun & Rainbows (his Woodstock ensemble) and the Band of Gypsies as well as the Experience. Covering such a diversity enables the listener to appreciate the depth and conviction that Hendrix poured into his career.

The CD's first track, "Look Over Yonder," is one of the many tunes release after Hendrix' death. Originally on the RAINBOW BRIDGE album, the song went through a number of different translations, and was perhaps never completed to Hendrix' satisfaction. Fortunately, the next track was. This rough, instrumental version of "Little Wing" would eventually be transformed into one of Hendrix' most dramatic pieces. This is followed by another unreleased version of "Here He Comes (Lover Man)," frequently performed by all of Hendrix' bands.

The title track is something a little different for typical Hendrix aficionados: it includes a horn section. "South Saturn Delta" is a homage to Hendrix' jazz heroes like Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery, and an indication of where, had he lived, Hendrix might have gone with his music.

One of the more incredible sessions represented here is an alternate mix of "All Along The Watchtower," considered by many, including the writer himself, as one of the best Bob Dylan covers ever recorded. This version includes Dave Mason on acoustic guitar and Rolling Stone, Brian Jones. The production is also significantly different as Chas Chandler, the former Animal who discovered Hendrix, goes for a much more rudimentary style.

The remaining tunes -- mostly culled from either WAR HEROES or RAINBOW BRIDGE -- put a positive spin on how much progress Hendrix made through the few, short years he recorded. "Sweet Angel," on which he plays alone would blossom into "Angel," one of the best songs Hendrix never saw released. The CD ends with "Midnight Lightening," a blues number also with only Hendrix, on guitar and vocals. Although he attempted to complete this song with Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox, this lonely outing shows just how pure and heartfelt the guitarist could be in such moments of isolation. We can only imagine what would have been.

Shawn Perry

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