Inside the Making of ‘Bold as Love’—Jimi Hendrix’s Most Colorful Creation

A comprehensive new box set centered on Jimi Hendrix’s seminal second album, Axis: Bold as Love, is set for release on November 7, offering fans a deep dive into the creative process of one of rock’s most influential guitarists.

Titled simply Bold as Love, the expanded four-CD collection includes a fully remastered version of the original 1967 album along with a wealth of rare and unreleased material—40 bonus tracks in total, 28 of which have never been officially released. The set compiles outtakes, alternate versions, studio demos, and live performances from the era, providing a broader context for Hendrix’s visionary work during that pivotal period.

A Child’s Drawing Meets Psychedelic Symbolism

The cover of the new release features a special piece of personal history—a colorful dragon drawing Hendrix created at just five years old. The illustration was selected by his sister, Janie Hendrix, who oversees much of his legacy today.

“I thought it was perfect for this project,” Janie said in a press statement. “It’s a colorful dragon that depicts exactly what the song ‘Bold as Love’ is talking about—the empowerment of each color of the rainbow. I don’t believe there could be a better reflection of the message in the song.”

Inside the Expanded Edition

Originally released on December 1, 1967, just seven months after the band’s groundbreaking debut, Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love featured some of Hendrix’s most iconic tracks, including “Little Wing,” “Spanish Castle Magic,” “Up From the Skies,” and the title track. The album quickly earned critical acclaim and chart success, securing its place in the rock canon.

The upcoming box set will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats, and will include immersive Dolby ATMOS mixes crafted by original engineer Eddie Kramer in collaboration with Chandler Harrod.

These new mixes, along with the inclusion of previously unheard recordings, are expected to shed fresh light on Hendrix’s innovative approach to songwriting, arrangement, and production.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new listener discovering Hendrix’s catalog, Bold as Love promises to offer an intimate and expanded view of one of his most creatively fertile periods.

Jimi Hendrix, ‘Bold as Love’ Track Listing
CD ONE (AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX)
EXP
UP FROM THE SKIES
SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC
WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW
AIN’T NO TELLING
LITTLE WING
IF 6 WAS 9
YOU GOT ME FLOATIN’
CASTLES MADE OF SAND
SHE’S SO FINE
ONE RAINY WISH
LITTLE MISS LOVER
BOLD AS LOVE

CD TWO (AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE ORIGINAL MONO MIX)
EXP
UP FROM THE SKIES
SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC
WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW
AIN’T NO TELLING
LITTLE WING
IF 6 WAS 9
YOU GOT ME FLOATIN’
CASTLES MADE OF SAND
SHE’S SO FINE
ONE RAINY WISH
LITTLE MISS LOVER
BOLD AS LOVE

CD THREE
MR. BAD LUCK [Take 6]*
SHE’S SO FINE [Take 4]*
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Take 30]*
THE STARS THAT PLAY WITH LAUGHING SAM’S DICE [Paramount Studios]*
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Instrumental]*
THE STARS THAT PLAY WITH LAUGHING SAM’S DICE [Instrumental]*
STONE FREE/UP FROM THE SKIES [Demo]*
UP FROM THE SKIES [Take 2]*
AIN’T NO TELLING [Demo]*
AIN’T NO TELLING [Take 12]*
LITTLE MISS LOVER [Demo]*
ONE RAINY WISH [Take 1]*
YOU GOT ME FLOATIN’ [Take 1]*
UNTITLED GUITAR EXPERIMENT*
BOLD AS LOVE [Take 19]*
CASTLES MADE OF SAND [Take 16]*
WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW [Take 2]*
SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC [Take 2]*
LITTLE WING [Take 2]*
UNTITLED INSTRUMENTAL #1 [Take 3]*
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Original Mono Mix]
THE STARS THAT PLAY WITH LAUGHING SAM’S DICE [Original Mono Mix]

CD FOUR
LITTLE MISS LOVER [Alternate Version]*
SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC [Take 4]*
WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW [Take 14]*
CASTLES MADE OF SAND [Backwards Guitar]*
ONE RAINY WISH [Alternate Version]*
UNTITLED INSTRUMENTAL #2 [Take 1]*
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Dee Time]
SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND [Sweden]
FIRE [Sweden]
THE WIND CRIES MARY [Sweden]
FOXEY LADY [Sweden]
HEY JOE [Sweden]
I DON’T LIVE TODAY [Sweden]
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Sweden]
PURPLE HAZE [Sweden]
BURNING OF THE MIDNIGHT LAMP [Top Of The Pops]
PURPLE HAZE [Hoepla]*
FOXEY LADY [Hoepla]*

*Previously unreleased recording