Big news for Jimi Hendrix fans is the expected March 9 release of VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE, a 12 song collection of unreleased studio tracks that has been fully authorized by the Hendrix family. Surprisingly, Cd Universe is offering preorders on this new cd for a mere $9.58, which is a real bargain. A limited edition high quality 180 gram vinyl record will also be available as well, but selling for around $20 or more depending on outlet. Each of the 5,000 only copies of the Lp will be numbered. They will be pressed by RTI from California.

Tracks on the new Hendrix release will include "Stone Free", Valleys Of Neptune", "Bleeding Heart", "Hear My Train A Coming'", "Mr. Bad Luck", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Lover Man", "Ships Passing Through The Night", "Fire", "Redhouse", "Lullaby For Summer" and "Crying Blue Rain". So far there is no word which versions of these songs these are, but it might be possible that some of these versions might have available only on bootlegs or other rare sources. These Hendrix family authorized songs should be good quality. On the family website a number of inferior quality concerts of Hendrix are offered for free listening.

Other big news is the rerelease of ARE YOU EXPERIENCED, AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE, ELECTRIC LADYLAND & FIRST RAYS OF THE NEW RISING SUN on 180 gram vinyl along with companion "making of" DVDs included for the cd releases. This sounds similar to what The Beatles did with their recent remastered rereleases.

Fans of Jimi Hendrix, myself included, should be really excited by all of this great news. The legendary guitar superman lives on.