I just had the opportunity to review the most recent releae, Jimi, from 2B3 and I really like it! Opening with Purple Haze, classic Hendrix, 2B3 translates one of Hendrix's heaviest tracks into a cool jazz fusion wonder. Featuring Jeff Jenkins on B3 and synthesizer, Mike Abbot on electric guitar and Mike Marlier on drums, this is a great fusion interpretation. Yeah, there's plenty of guitar but in this case it's the raw edge of jazz with a funky edge, ever pushing B3 and really tight drums riffs. Excellent! On one of Hendrix's most beautiful compositions, Little Wing, Abbot has the vocal lead, but on guitar with understated lead lines and shared B3 lead with a slightly Reggae rhythm. Very tasty lead runs by Abbot that have a bit of grit but maintain the basic melody structure give this track every bit of breath as Derek and the Dominos or SRV's formidable renditions. Very nice. Hey Joe is so reworked with warm funky texture and clean guitar lead that I never did find the familiar melody, but I actually did like the jazzy jam that it became. Etched In Stone is a slow, bluesy track with an easy rhythm and clean guitar lead, cradled in fat B3 tone. Although Abbott does get his guitar sailing, his guitar playing isn't over the top, creating something that never existed. Wrapping the release is Jimi, an atmospheric track with broad ringing chords, warm B3 tone and heavy tom tom work. These guys massaged a snapshot of Hendrix's work into an exploration in music very successfully. Very nicely done.
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