Bold as Love: The Axis: Bold as Love Sessions Box Set Celebrates Jimi Hendrix's Musical Legacy
A new box set celebrating The Jimi Hendrix Experience's second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love, is set to be released on November 7. The collection, titled Bold as Love: The Axis: Bold as Love Sessions, will be available in various formats, including a five-LP/one-Blu-ray package and a four-CD/one-Blu-ray set. Fans can already pre-order the box set, which includes the original stereo and mono mixes of the 13-track album, as well as a newly created Dolby Atmos mix. Additionally, the collection features 40 bonus tracks, comprising alternative versions, unreleased studio takes, demos, live performances, and television appearances from the same era as the album's recording.
Among the 40 bonus tracks are 28 previously unreleased recordings, including a 1967 demo that combines the early Hendrix Experience song "Stone Free" with the Axis: Bold as Love track "Up from the Skies." This demo has been released as an advance digital single from the box set, accompanied by a music video featuring archival footage of Jimi Hendrix. The Bold as Love box set was co-produced by original Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer, Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, and Experience Hendrix executive John McDermott. The Dolby Atmos mix of Axis: Bold as Love was created by Kramer and engineer Chandler Harrod.
Released in December 1967 in the U.K. and January 1968 in the U.S., Axis: Bold as Love was the second studio album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Produced by the band's manager, Chas Chandler, the album featured tracks like "Spanish Castle Magic," "Little Wing," "If 6 Was 9," and "Castles Made of Sand." The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 5 in the U.K., eventually earning platinum certification in the U.S. for selling over 1 million copies.
The Bold as Love box set includes instrumental versions of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" and its B-side, "The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice," as well as alternate takes of almost every song on Axis: Bold as Love. The collection also features rare performances by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on U.K. TV shows and a Dutch television program, along with eight songs from a 1967 concert in Stockholm, Sweden. The box set is accompanied by detailed liner notes by McDermott and rock journalist David Fricke.
Reflecting on her brother's music, Janie Hendrix described Jimi as fearless in his artistic expression, with each song inviting listeners to feel and be free. She praised the Bold as Love set for reintroducing the beauty of Jimi's musical depth and capturing a significant part of his career and life. The box set's cover art, a colorful dragon drawn by Jimi at age five, was chosen by Janie Hendrix for its reflection of the empowerment and message of the song "Bold as Love."
In conclusion, the Bold as Love box set offers a comprehensive collection of The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Axis: Bold as Love album, featuring original mixes, bonus tracks, and rare performances. With its detailed liner notes and immersive Dolby Atmos mix, the box set provides fans with a deeper insight into Jimi Hendrix's creative vision and musical legacy.