WAR HEROES

This work is not essential but it is not bad either. Some tracks are quite good actually and fully deserved to be released. At least it is MVHHO (my very humble and honest opinion).

Both openers ''Bleeding Heart'' and even more the great ''Highway Chile'' definitely belong to the genuine Hendrix discography. The tracks are short, the riffs are infectious (especially during ''Highway Chile'' which is the highlight of this album).

It is of course a difficult work to apprehend from a prog prospective (but so is his entire catalogue, right?). This sort of albums can only be of interest to die-hard fans of the Master. But I wouldn't rate this as a one or two stars album. Just because it holds very good musical moments.

Like the fine and rather hectic instrumental ''Tax Free''. Some sort of wild jam performed with high skills. At least, I receive it this way, but I'm sometimes biased in terms of Hendrix music.

Not all tracks are jewels of course: the quite disputable ''Peter Gunn/Catastrophe'' holds it all in its title. It is the only track which hasn't been compiled on other albums. One immediately knows why.

Press next to discover the vigorous ''Stepping Stone''. A delight for those who have an inclination for Hendrix magic guitar play. I am one of those. It is a very wild track, that goes into lots of directions: some might call it loose but remember that several tracks were unfinished, so.

There is one track written by Noel Redding (''Midnight'') which is a fine rock instrumental (on the heavy edge to be honest) and another one composed by Mitch Mitchell, the other ''Experience'' guy. It is another excellent instrumental track. Full of passion and wildness. The classic ''Izabella'' has to be remembered as well, although I far much prefer the live renditions of this song. The choirs are particularly painful to be honest.

Most of the songs featured on this album are available on later recordings (''First Rays Of The New Rising Sun'' and ''South Saturn Delta''). Both of these albums can be considered as compilations, but not this one IMO. But I'll discuss this sometime on the forum.

Another uninteresting track is the reggae-ish ''Little Bears''. Although it sounds fresh musically, and Jimi seems to have fun here, it is not my cup of tea, especially during some childish passages.

This is globally a good album for Hendrix fans. If you are a casual one only, you should stick to ''Are You Experienced'' in terms of studio album and to ''Live at the Fillmore East'' or even better ''Live at Woodstock'' in terms of live recordings.

Still, three stars.

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