Electric Ladyland

Bursting with ideas and energy, Jimi Hendrix's second album release of 1968 (following Axis: Bold as Love) was the double-LP set Electric Ladyland which showcased virtually everything the guitar genius had to offer: blistering blues (Voodoo Chile), galaxy-patrolling space jams (1983... A Merman I Should Turn to Be), psychedelic soul (Crosstown Traffic), and skyscraping rock (Voodoo Child (Slight Return)).

In the midst of all this was even a hit song--Hendrix's remarkable reading of Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower, featuring a series of baton-passing guitar solos, all distinct and brilliant. Seemingly diffuse when first released; in hindsight, kaleidoscopically eclectic.