Jimi Hendrix was probably the most innovative guitarist rock music has ever produced. Rooted in soul, blues and rock 'n' roll, he improvised like a jazz player using an arsenal of effects. His second album with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, consisting of bassist Noel Redding, drummer Mitch Mitchell and Hendrix himself, was a resounding success. Hendrix, who before his time in England had appeared neither as a songwriter nor as a singer, draws on Axis: Bold As Love in dazzling songs cosmic worlds in which he combined his passion for fantasy with gripping melodies.