When it comes to posthumous releases, few artists have sparked as much speculation and creative interpretation as Jimi Hendrix. His untimely passing left a trail of unreleased material, demos, and studio sessions that continue to captivate music fans and historians alike. One particular area that has intrigued die-hard Hendrix fans is the concept of his “fourth album”—an LP that was never officially completed during his lifetime, but has since become the subject of many fan-made reconstructions and passionate debates.
I recently revisited one of the posthumous compilations often associated with Hendrix’s supposed fourth record. It’s not a bad album by any means—in fact, it’s pretty good. The songs are solid, the sound is unmistakably Hendrix, and overall, it makes for a cool listen. However, I couldn’t help but feel that, while enjoyable, it could have been better. Perhaps more focused. Perhaps more in line with what Hendrix himself would have envisioned if he had been able to finalize it.
What fascinates me most is how Hendrix fans have taken it upon themselves to reimagine what his fourth LP might have sounded like. Over the years, I’ve come across multiple fan-made versions, ranging from playlists to full-on custom CD pressings, complete with their own album art, sequencing, and track lists. These aren’t just casual mixes either—many are the result of deep research into Hendrix’s final sessions, studio notes, and live recordings from 1969 and 1970. It’s clear that for some, reconstructing Hendrix’s musical vision is as much a labor of love as it is a tribute to his genius.
One common thread among these fan projects is a desire to honor what Hendrix might have done, while also taking creative liberties to fill in the blanks. This often results in a fascinating mix of released and unreleased material, alternate takes, and even instrumentals that never saw the light of day until decades later. Some versions are tight and cohesive, while others are sprawling and experimental—mirroring the direction Hendrix seemed to be heading in musically before his death.
Personally, I’ve often debated just how expansive Hendrix’s fourth album might have been had he completed it. Considering the sheer amount of material he was working on—some of it veering into jazz, funk, and more psychedelic territory—I wouldn’t be surprised if it had turned out to be a double LP. I’d argue it could have easily been a 20-track album, perhaps with a thematic structure or a bold new sonic identity that broke even further away from the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
In the end, we may never truly know what Hendrix had planned. But thanks to the dedication of his fans, we continue to get glimpses of what could have been. These alternate versions don’t just celebrate Hendrix’s legacy—they keep it alive and evolving. And in a way, that might be the most fitting tribute of all.