THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: AXIS - BOLD AS LOVE

I've always had a sweet spot for this classic among classics. It's the second Hendrix LP and seems overshadowed by its brilliant follower "Electric ladyland". I find in this album a joyfullness and a jazzyness quite unique in Hendrix carrer. After "Exp", a funny experimental noisy opener, "Up from the skies" is a very uplifting jazzy tune, thanks to the special work on drums. The floating wha wha is delicious and Jimi's singing is mellow. Followed by the "hard" rocking "Spanish castles magic" until we get to "Wait until tommorow", another highlight, a funky tune with inspired lyrics that tell a little story. "Ain't no telling" is short but intense. "Little wing" is a masterpiece, only drawback is the duration and the shortened ending guitar solo -actually several guitars mixed together- (for a slightly longer and excellent version, check "Hendrix In the west" live album). "You got me floatin'" is another uplifting, dynamic tune. "Castles made of sand" is really a masterpiece featuring reversed guitars effets, a funky rhythmic, both cool and psychedelic, very far from the usual Hendrix noisy caricature playing purple Haze in concert. Hendrix was not only a virtuoso but also a great arranger and one of the best lyricists ever. "She's so fine" is a rockier tune, with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding doing the chorus. "One rainy wish" is a wonderful soft tune which has an oniric and peaceful quality. "Little miss lover" is maybe the "harder" tune along with "Spanish castles magic". "Bold as love" ends the record beautifully with its lyric and intense mood and finishes by a blazing solo.. A masterpiece!