The 'BBC Sessions' is a new 2 CD set released in May 1998 by MCA Records and contains a rare look at The Jimi Hendrix Experience through the eyes and ears of the BCC. The BBC never quite gets its historical due in that this government-funded agency found and promoted cutting-edge rock acts like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Genesis with the help of DJs like John Peel and Alexis Korner.

The musical content of this record tends to follow a chronological path from pre-'Are You Experienced?' past the music of 'Electric Ladyland.' Many of the songs are narrated by the DJs Alexis Korner and others; and feature humorously dated radio talk aside compelling, brief radio interviews.

The performances on the record are mostly excellent. A few songs are repeated like "Driving South" and a few songs have been featured on other albums, however the overall performance quality is very strong. One of the indicators of Jimi's unique musical talents lie in the fact he could re-do the best pop and folk songs of the era and make them better than the legendary artists. "Hound Dog," "Day Tripper" and "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window" show why Jimi had the earned the respect of Elvis, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. Both versions of "Driving South" as well as "Killing Floor" show off Jimi's breath taking guitar work while "Manic Depression," "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Hey Joe" prove why Jimi Hendrix will go down as one of the 20th century's best song writers.

There is a jam recording on the BBC Sessions that features Stevie Wonder on drums for an impromptu version of "I Was Made To Love Her." The cut isn't very strong melodically for an instrumental, however it is historically significant in that it shows yet another superstar who revered Jimi during his too short career.

The recording quality of this record is not very resolute or dynamic based on the fact most of theses sessions were recorded under strict time specifications and using pre-multitrack recording equipment. One looking for more highly resolved Hendrix performances needs to invest in 'Are You Experienced?', 'Axis Bold As Love' or 'Electric Ladyland' which were all re-mastered and re-released in 1997 by MCA. These BBC sessions are for those people who use their high powered high end systems to explore deeply into the musical repertoire of highly talented musicians like Jimi.

James Marshal Hendrix was an amazing American talent. He defined the rock guitar, set the basis for heavy metal and in three quick years with just three studio albums established himself as one of the defining musicians on the century. The BBC Sessions is a must have for those who yearn to know where it all came from or are interested in sampling the power of a genius at his best.