South Saturn Delta is a posthumous compilation album by American rock musician Jimi Hendrix. Released in 1997 by Experience Hendrix (operated by his estate), it consists of material such as demo tapes, unfinished takes and alternate mixes, and previously released material, most of which Hendrix had been working on prior to his death in 1970.
Background Released prior to South Saturn Delta, First Rays of the New Rising Sun was Experience Hendrix's attempt at presenting Hendrix's planned fourth studio album. The album consists of songs previously released on his first posthumous albums The Cry of Love (1971), Rainbow Bridge (1971), and War Heroes (1972). South Saturn Delta collects five songs from the latter two then out-of-print albums that were not selected for First Rays.
Other tracks include "The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice", an early Jimi Hendrix Experience B-side single that saw release on the UK compilations Smash Hits (1968) and Loose Ends (1974), but never officially released in the US on a Jimi Hendrix album. Alternate takes and mixes of previously released songs and demos for new songs that Hendrix may or may not have completed for release to flesh out the album.
Critical reception
In a review for Rolling Stone, David Fricke viewed South Saturn Delta as an inconsistent compilation that is "less of a mess" than the albums that preceded it but does not explore deep enough into Hendrix's recordings. Robert Christgau wrote in Blender, "it establishes the listenability of Hendrix's dribs and drabs", despite being "discographically presumptuous". AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the album serves as an attempt to "capture the full range of Hendrix's music through an alternate history ... an intelligently sequenced, listenable collection of some of the very best outtakes and rarities from Hendrix". James P. Wisdom from Pitchfork found the songs full of Hendrix's growing embrace of fusing rock, blues, and jazz sounds "in ways that had never been considered".
Track listing
Personnel Jimi Hendrixguitar, vocals, bass guitar (tracks 4, 7 and 8) Mitch Mitchelldrums (tracks 1–4, 6–10, 13 and 14) Noel Reddingbass guitar (tracks 1, 3, 9 and 10) Billy Coxbass guitar (tracks 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14), backing vocals (track 5)
Additional Personnel Rocky Isaacdrums (track 12) Brian Jonespercussion (track 8) Larry Leeguitar (track 6) Dave Mason12-string guitar (track 8) Buddy Milesdrums and backing vocals (track 5) Juma Sultanpercussion (track 6) Jerry Velezpercussion (track 6) Unknown horn players2 trumpets, 2 saxophones, arranged by Larry Fallon (track 4)
Recording details TrackLocation(s)Recording date(s)Track 1TTG Studios, Hollywood, CaliforniaOctober 22, 1968Track 2Olympic Studios, LondonOctober 14, 1967Track 3TTGOctober 29, 1968Track 4Record Plant Studios, New York CityMay 2 & June 14, 1968Track 5Record PlantJanuary 21 & February 3, 1970Track 6The Hit Factory, New York CityAugust 28, 1969Track 7Olympic; Record Plant January 26 & 28, 1968; May 1, 1968Track 8OlympicJanuary 21 & 26, 1968Track 9Mayfair Studios, New York CityJuly 19, 1967Track 10Olmstead Studios, New York CityApril 1 & 3, 1969Track 11OlympicNovember 13, 1967Track 12Record Plant; Electric LadyMarch 24, 1970; June 1970Track 13Electric LadyJuly 1, 1970Track 14Electric LadyJune 17, July 19–20, & August 22, 1970Track 15 Record PlantMarch 23, 1970
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