Jimi Hendrixs debut recording was an instant classic, and is as startling today as when it first hit the streets in 1967. Are You Experienced is probably the most rock-oriented of Hendrixs official studio releases, but its influences are incredibly diverse. Third Stone From the Sun recalls the supple octaves of Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery; the churning afro-cuban polyrhythms of Manic Depression evoke John Coltrane and Elvin Jones; I Dont Live Today employs ritualistic native American drumbeats; and the title tune borrows the eastern airs of sitarist Ravi Shankar. The mix is dark and churning, a dense wall of sound. Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding blast away with a barely controlled fury, and theres a distorted metallic edge to Hendrixs guitar timbre that has made Are You Experienced a particular favourite among rock and heavy-metal guitarists. Purple Haze and Foxey Lady helped define the power-trio format, thanks to Hendrixs full-bodied rhythm guitar and his soaring solos. Are You Experienced also established Hendrix as a singer-songwriter. His Dylanesque vocals and spacey imagery make each tune a little gem, especially on gentle outings such as the ballad The Wind Cries Mary.