Axis all areas

1967 was Jimi Hendrix’s breakthrough year in the UK, Axis: Bold As Love both glorious climax of his first phase and future sonic blueprint. Kris Needs hauls this transitional, but often overlooked, masterpiece out of the shadows

On December first, it’s Experienced day. The boys are releasing a new LP entitled Axis: Bold As Love…The stereo version will be released a few days later than the mono – and I advise you all with stereo record players to wait for this version, as the sounds are utterly incredible; but those of you without stereo, the mono sounds very “groovy”, as Jimi would say. I am not even going to attempt to describe these tracks or the LP to you. I wouldn’t dare to put it into words, just buy it and like it; the latter I guarantee.”

So gushed the newsletter sent out to members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience Appreciation Society in late 1967; along with four music weeklies, the only news lifeline available to the generation coming of age as this pivotal decade gained steam. Though obviously written in the fan-speak of the day, secretary Jane Simmonds wasn’t far off.

In December 1967, the second Jimi Hendrix album, coming just nine months after Are You Experienced, was enough of an event to eclipse the new Stones LP, which much of the country had been awaiting with bated breath, expecting the besieged band’s response to The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper. But the Stones had already made their summer of love statement with We Love You. Their Satanic Majesties Request appeared the …

by Kris Needs
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