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Indeed, it is cluttered, and at points even difficult to stomach, but in the end when you look at the album as a whole, you see something more than the mess, something that you just can't resist. At least it's that way for me and other Jimi-philes alike.

The intent of South Saturn Delta was to find a place for some of Jimi's uncomplete work, some stuff previously unavailable after Cry Of Love, Rainbow Bridge, and War Heroes were deleted from Hendrix catalogues, and other material that even the "hardcore" fans haven't heard. While most of the material from the previously mentioned out-of-print titles was spread out over the length of "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun," some couldn't be placed there, whether it be through time constraints, or the fact that some of the stuff just wasn't complete. Instead, all of the unfinished material was pushed over to SSD.

Despite it's somewhat iffy sound quality, and half-finsihed tracks, SSD still manages to be an incredibly endearing title. Maybe it's the honestness found in the fact that Jimi wasn't perfect and he did make mistakes, or maybe it's some of the new ideas he was attempting to blend into his lyricism, I don't know. Much more spiritual, emotional, and poetic work is found throughout.

Even the instrumental tracks (whether they were intended to be instrumentals or Jimi had yet to add vocals) have a fantastic feel, and this is where Jimi shines. Without constraints in front of the mic, he was free to let loose and just whail on the Strat, visible in many of the "jam-oriented" tracks throughout.

I still do have to wonder why EH/MCA chose to release many of the tracks found here when there is an entire vault of near-complete work and live recordings waiting. Angel is missing the first two minutes do to damage done to the original master tape (yet, interestingly enough, on the Jimi Hendrix box set, the same track is found, but in complete form). Sometimes conversation can be heard, and during several tracks, Jimi himself laughs, talking to friends and to the engineer (presumably Eddie Kramer).

But even when you take this into account, SSD is still a fantastic release, and something that dedicated Jimi-freaks have been waiting for for years. It was preceded by near thirty years of dissapointing rip-offs, and maybe because of this, fans see SSD as being better than it actually may be.

If you want to find out about Jimi, and haven't really heard any of his music, I'd advise you not to invest in this set, as his complete works are a much better representation of himself.

Finished or not though, South Saturn Delta is an excellent, enjoyable release, and one that is sure to please even the most hardcore fans.


One for the fans   December 20, 2004
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

The music in this CD is not five stars, to be honest with you. Many of these are unfinished tracks, jams, and second class performances from Jimi Hendrix. Why five stars then? Because this is what the fans want. We want everything there is in the vaults from Jimi. And it is extremely rare that a record company authorizes albums for the hardcore fans. Instead you get the usual greatest hits I, II, III, ultimate hits, oldies but goodies, etc. This is an album that only exists because the Hendrix family had Jimi's fans in mind. That's why I am giving this a 5 star rating. You shouldnt buy this album before you have acquire all Hendrix authorized albums and all the auithorized live recordings. But for the long time fans, this is a welcome compilation of rare and out of print stuff.


Still worthy of 5 stars, but not the best Jimi out there...   May 6, 2001
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Let's face it folks. No one's work has been as bastardized as that of one James Marshall Hendrix. Part of it was the musical talent he possessed, part of it the amount of time he spent recording. With all the Hendrix music sitting in the vault at MCA, there is hours that has never been heard, and I'm talking ever. Eddie Kramer, Jimi's engineer once said that MCA/Experience Hendrix could put out one full length album for the next 15-20 years, and still have stuff left that has never been heard... What's my point, you ask? It is simply that the stuff that has been heard is constantly repackaged, advertised as something it's not, and in some cases, edited beyond all belief. Add to that that most of the material is sub-par material that Jimi himself would never have wanted released, and you have a recipe for rip-off, POS albums. Records like "Jimi Hendrix with Curtis Knight and the Squires" are just shameless attempts to grab some cash by advertising Hendrix's session work as full-fledged recordings.

What we have now with "South Saturn Delta" is probably the best we'll get as far as unreleased material in the Hendrix catalogue goes (besides live performances that they are currently holding back from us Jimi-philes). Although some of it was derived from the '70s post-humous releases War Heroes, Ranbow Bridge, and Cry Of Love, the album is vastly made up of unreleased alternate takes, and songs that Jimi was never able to complete.

Although this is probably the weakest entry in the Experience Hendrix catalogue, that's not saying much, and SSD is still an excellent, if somewhat fuzzy, underproduced, and incomplete, record. The frustrating part isn't the unfinished mixes, it's the way you see what Jimi was trying to get at, but wasn't able to quite explain fully before his 1970 death. You wonder, without answer what last effect he would have dubbed overtop of the mix, or what lyrics he would have changed, or even if the song itself isn't just a jam that Jimi hoped wouldn't be released.

Unfortunately, there's no one there to answer the questions that race around in the back of our heads, and so it becomes difficult to take this album for what it really is. It's for the die-hards who just want a glimpse into Jimi's beautiful emotion and songwriting process. For anyone else, this album might just prove to be a cluttered mess, which it actually can be at some points. But those of us who are desperate for Jimi are just clinging onto what we can, and we appreciate the unfinished work in all it's raw glory.

The tracks nearing completion are fantastic, and the first takes of other songs can be just as good. Hearing what material sounded like for the first time played is an awe-inspiring experience. Take for example, "Little Wing." One of the first takes of the song is on this disc, but it sounds nothing like the final track itself! It's very melodic and beautiful in it's own right, but when you consider the possibilities of alternate takes, it boggles the mind.

The album is a great listening experience throughout, but there are moments when you have to wonder about EHs motives behind releasing certain tracks. the alternate take of "Angel" is missing about a minute because of damage to the master, and the alternate take of "All Along The Watchtower," sounds extremely similar to the original.

Still deserving of five stars, if only because of the raw fury of the record, SSD is a must have for any of the hundreds of thousands of Jimi-philes out there. If you are new to the world of Hendrix, stay away from this collection until you've heard Jimi's original studio albums and live performances...


Great CD for all listeners.   August 24, 1999
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Outstanding compilation of later-Hendrix material! Most of these tracks were previously available on hotwax, several posthumous releases such as War Heroes, Rainbow Bridge, and the infamous Crash Landing. Nevertheless, the Hendrix estate decided to open the door for new listeners and old fans as well by producing this 15 track, digitally remastered CD. Highlights here are "Tax Free," the unedited "Power Of Soul," the impromptu "Midnight Lightning" and the previously unreleased "South Saturn Delta." A must have for novices and long-time fans.


Decent Compilation, but not the best   March 9, 2005
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The main purpose of South Saturn Delta is to give fans previously unreleased or long out-of-print songs. This is a good idea, but the actual quality of the songs on here isn't very good. Many are mediocre jams or rough drafts of songs. But there are some highlights, for sure. The most interesting song on the compilation is the title track, which gives incredible insight into Jimi's combination of blues, jazz, rock and R&B, as pointed out in the CD's accompanying booklet. Also well worth noting is the closing track "Midnight Lightning", where Jimi pays homage to his blues heros. One of the most promising songs here, "Sweet Angel", begins with the music already in progress. The complete version can be found on the 2000 4-cd box set "The Jimi Hendrix Experience." And, ultimately, the box set is a MUCH better buy than this, despite the big price difference. The box set has random lost Hendrix songs that are actually VERY high in quality, and unforgettable, unlike a lot of the tunes on SSD. If you're a Hendrix fan, you should be willing to make that purchase.