CD of unreleased material kicks off Hendrix anniversary-year project

(AFP PHOTO/HENRY DILTZ/MORRISON HOTEL GALLERY/NEWSCOM/HO)

An album of previously unreleased material by Jimi Hendrix, including the sought-after "Valleys of Neptune," is due out March 9. The album is one of many 2010 releases planned as part of the Jimi Hendrix Catalog Project, marking the 40th anniversary of the artist's death.

Valleys of Neptune, to be released by Sony's Legacy Recordings, is a 12-song collection that includes the final studio sessions of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience and Hendrix's first sessions with bassist Billy Cox. Coming mostly from a four-month period in 1969, the sessions were recorded by Electric Ladyland engineer Eddie Kramer, who was also charged with remastering the original tapes.

The album's title track, long sought-after by Hendrix fans, will be released as a single on February 2. Other Valleys of Neptune highlights include covers of Elmore James's "Bleeding Heart" and Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," first performances of Hendrix compositions "Ships Passing Through The Night" and "Lullaby For The Summer," and the original version of "Hear My Train A Comin'."

The Jimi Hendrix Catalog Project, a partnership between Legacy Recordings and Experience Hendrix LLC, will also include March 9 CD/DVD re-releases of Hendrix albums Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love, Electric Ladyland, and First Rays of the New Rising Sun. All will be available on vinyl, and each title will include a bonus documentary DVD.

Other 2010 releases include Smash Hits, Hendrix's 1968 compilation, and DVD and Blu-ray editions of Live At Woodstock.

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