Along came Jimi Hendrix who dropped a lighted match into the box of fireworks. His first album is a must have. I have often said that I don’t think it is possible to truly understand the impact that he had unless you were around before he emerged. Nevertheless I am sure that, with a little imagination, you will be able to get very close. You really do need to listen to Are You Experienced loud, so for your neighbours’ sakes I suggest the purchase of a very good set of headphones.
The CD here has six bonus tracks which are his first three singles and B-sides in chronological order. To ‘get’ the power of the album you should stop after the track Are You Experienced and consider these last six tracks, good as they are, as a separate listening experience.
“Move over Rover and let Jimi take over…”
The Idle Woman 
For the longest time I thought Jimi Hendrix was British – probably because he played a major part in a novella by Michael Moorcock which I read a long time ago. I had my musical socialization during the punk rock era, so am not really a big fan of The Guitar Solo, but Hendrix is one of the few exceptions, his music was (and remains) awesome in every possible way. And yes, you really do need to play this LOUD. 😉
I have done, on several occasions (wearing headphones so my neighbours don’t hate me). He did live in London for a long time – right next door to where Handel used to live on Brook Street, actually. The Handel House museum purchased Hendrix’s flat and have now done it up and opened it as a complementary museum. I haven’t been since it opened but it’s on my list to visit soon.