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In the middle of the second track on his posthumously-released studio album, Valleys of Neptune, Jimi Hendrix psychedelically purrs, “tidal wave spread and the message got home/And the message got home.”
If the “tidal wave” in the lyrics is a metaphor for anything, it is the abiding message Hendrix once spread through his visionary music and rare sound.
Although the wave possesses a momentous, unstoppable force, it must come to its end, its conclusion, or as Hendrix so eloquently sings, its “home.”
Valleys shines from beginning to end, bringing rock-and-roll hipsters over 60 minutes and a total of 12-never-before released recordings.
The fresh tracks include original mind-benders, such as “Valleys of Neptune,” “Hear My Train a Comin'” and “Ships Passing through the Night,” which are guaranteed to please fans from all generations as they explore the groovy soul of the late musician again–this time in fresh context.
Unheard recordings of some classics include renditions of “Red House,” “Fire” and “Stone Free.”
Other notable tracks include Hendrix’s interpretations of Elmore James’ “Bleeding Heart,” an emotionally fierce track with a unique prowess. Hendrix also covers Cream’s “Sunshine on Your Love.”
Most of the tracks were self-produced by Hendrix throughout the first five months of 1969, in the wake of the release of his third album, Electric Ladyland.
The original lineup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, his band, remains intact on the album, as bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell provide the backing vocals and complement Hendrix’s guitar artistry.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was working on its fourth album in 1969 but never got to finish it due to Hendrix’s death a year later.
Hendrix said in a 1969 interview, “A couple of years ago, all I wanted was to be heard…now I’m trying to figure out the widest way to be heard.”
The immortal electric guitarist was on his way to discovering this answer, but Hendrix died in the early morning of Sept. 18, 1970, in London. He was only 27 years old.
Undoubtedly, the range that Hendrix had as a musician and especially as a guitarist ranks him has one the most influential rock-and-roll stars in all of history.
In Valleys, his 11th posthumous studio album, there is a lasting image of the man and his music he composed–Hendrix was a revolutionary with multiple voices aimed at accomplishing peace.
He set out to be heard and, since his death, he has been cherished constantly for the music he blessed the world with.
The beauty of Valleys of Neptune lies within its purity–the music industry’s restrictions do not fracture or restrain Hendrix. Instead, his sound echoes louder than ever.
This is a good thing, because the message—limit restriction on others while creating a free-flowing, enduring peace for oneself—needs to be heard as loud and as clear as when it was performed by Jimi more than 40 years ago.
Although these recordings concluded at that time, Hendrix’s message has continued on its tidal wave path and now has found its new “home.”
Valleys not only swims in the endurance of Hendrix’s guitar and brilliant lyrics, but most importantly it propels his visionary sound to just another horizon that can never, and will never, be touched.
