In 1970, Jimi Hendrix returned to the country where he"d skyrocketed to fame and gave his first performances in almost two years when he headlined the Isle of Wight festival. Sadly, it was also to be his last major public appearance: less than three weeks later, he would be dead. This double-disc marks the first complete release of Hendrix"s set at the festival, a warts-and-all recording that reveals a guitar legend in good humor, yet restlessly exploring the broader musical directions he"d just laid down on sessions for what would become First Rays of the New Rising Sun (initially released posthumously as Freedom). Backed by Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and Band of Gypsies bassist Billy Cox, Hendrix ranges from the improvisatory cacophony of "Machine Gun" and reworkings of his standard blues workouts "Red House" and "Hey Joe" to renditions of "Dolly Dagger," "Ezy Rider," "Freedom," and "Hey Baby" that trade on the more rhythmic R&B and jazz influences he"d diligently worked into his music. At times jagged, and straining the limitations of the trio format (Hendrix had publicly mused about working with a big band shortly before his death), it"s nonetheless a passionate, intriguing clue as to Hendrix"s true ambitions and potential beyond his initial hype and stardom. --Jerry McCulley