One forgets how weird, nay bizarre, was the stereo mix of this album in places, but the music transcends the extreme separation. This SACD — the sleeve and track listing follow the U.S. issue — includes the stereo version on both layers, with the mono mix a bonus solely for the SACD layer. Hendrix's debut still sounds radical and otherworldly over a half-century on, and every track is magnificent, with a surfeit of what would become his signature tunes, including 'Foxey Lady,' — yes, U.S. spelling with an 'e'! — 'Purple Haze,' 'Hey Joe' and my all-time Jimi fave, 'The Wind Cries Mary.' If you don't already own a copy, Analogue Productions' SACD will do the trick." — Sound Quality = 85% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, March 2021

 

Are You Experienced on Hybrid SACD from Analogue Productions!

 

Newly remastered by Bernie Grundman, from the original analog master tapes!

 

Includes both mono and stereo mixes — Pure DSD sound!

 

Analogue Productions presents the SACDs Jimi Hendrix fans have asked for: Hybrid SACDs of both Axis: Bold As Love, as well as Are You Experienced, the 1967 debut full-length studio release by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Newly remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog master tapes, each disc contains the mono and stereo mixes for each of these historic albums. This is pure DSD sound to applaud!

 

When first released in 1967 in the U.S., Are You Experienced turned the music world upside down as Hendrix showed everyone exactly what it meant to be "experienced." This SACD returns to the original 11-song version that was originally released in August 1967. It contains such eternal classics as "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Fire," and the title song, whose backward drum and guitar tracks and otherworldly guitar work still sound innovative almost a half-century later.

 

As Rolling Stone states, Jimi Hendrix was the most innovative instrumental genius the rock era produced, a wizard guitar player whose sense of technique never overwhelmed the blues and rock 'n' roll spirit that was the underpinning of his genius. He improvised with the fervor of a born jazzman; he philosophized like the most cosmic rocker, but ultimately his basics were rooted in soul, a reflection of the chitlin circuit, where he cut his teeth. With the possible exception of Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience was debatably the world's finest-ever power trio. Axis and Are You Experienced showcased the grasp that Jimi and his cohorts — Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass — had on the studio technology at their disposal, and the lyrical beauty of Hendrix's guitar playing.

 

1. Purple Haze

2. Manic Depression

3. Hey Joe

4. Love Or Confusion

5. May This Be Love

6. I Don’t Live Today

7. The Wind Cries Mary

8. Fire

9. Third Stone From The Sun

10. Foxey Lady

11. Are You Experienced?