Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies

The Band of Gypsies was a rocking group consisting of Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles and Billy Cox. This was the first time Jimi had a band of all black members, which actually put Jimi sort of at the forefront of cultural issues relating to black-white relations. He had been controversial with his two white band mates in the Jimi Hendrix Experience. So, Jimi decided to get this new group together and it was magic right from the beginning. The Band of Gypsies played several shows together including the four shows at the Fillmore East during New Years 1969-70. These are famous shows because they were recorded for an album by the same name. Very powerful stuff on this album, Jimi owed the record studio another album so decided to do these show to make a live album. The songs they did like "Who Know" and "Them Changes" are classic Buddy Miles influence. This is regarded by many as the beginning of funk and Buddy Miles lended those funky beats that defined the sound. The trio went on to do a few more shows before Jimi got Mitch Mitchell back in the band to tour Europe. Buddy Miles was upset about it, but I think Jimi realized that Mitch was more his style of drummer. Buddy Miles however made a great contribution to this phase of Jimi's career. There are quite a few live and studio recording of the Band of Gypsies trio doing their thing. Definitely worth perusing and buying or downloading this material.