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When the Experience recorded their second album, they were in the process of solidfying their international stardom. That meant access to more studio time and more sophisicated technology, but not, alas, a great deal of time to write the material. That may be why Axis isn't quite as much of a tour de force as Are You Exerienced?, but it's nevertheless another major effort, showing Hendrix continuing to grow, particularly in his increasing mastery of the studio and more sophisticated lyrics. Soul and R&B influences are more prominent here than on his debut, though psychedelic experimentalism ran rampant (to great effect) on "If 6 Was 9." "Spanish Castle Magic," "Up From the Skies," "You Got Me Floatin'," and "Castles Made of Sand" all had funky grooves that gave the spiraling guitars and crunchy rhythm section a much-needed buoyancy. The best song, though, might have been the mellowest: "Little Wing" was Hendrix at his most delicate, and perhaps his most personal.&mdash; Richie Unterberger

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