by Scott Yanow
This is a most unusual CD with flutist Robert Dick paying tribute to rock guitar great Jimi Hendrix. Dick creates a wide variety of sounds throughout this release that seem electronically altered but are actually totally acoustic. He plays chords, sings through his flute, and uses circular breathing and overdubbing to cast new light on four of Jimi Hendrix's compositions (along with three of his own). The "power trio" also features bassist Jerome Harris and drummer Jim Black, while the Soldier String Quartet makes a memorable appearance on "Tycho." Robert Dick not only manages to recapture the spirit of Jimi Hendrix in ingenuous ways, but also creates some startling new music; this version of "It's Still Like It Wouldn't Be Yesterday," with its six flutes and piccolos, is absolutely spooky.