Re-thinking Jimi Hendrix in terms of an acoustic jazz piano trio would seem to be a bit of a stretch. It comes as a surprise, then, that Francis Lockwood's new release, "Jimi's Colors" -- which does just that -- works so well. On listening, however, unexpected similarities reveal themselves.
Hendrix worked primarily in a trio format, interacting intensely with his bass and drum players. Even on his most stoned-out live recordings, the rhythms never rest for long in the simple 4/4 of rock, but push for more. Much as jazz pianists do, Hendrix also created a lush harmonic backing to his own lead lines. He wrote beautiful compositions that moved between explosive anger and delicate sensitivity.
Lockwood, his French bassist Gilles Naturel and drummer Peter Gritz capture those elements of Hendrix's music and turn them into engaging jazz that remains true to the emotional subtleties of Hendrix's work. "Gipsy Eyes" maintains its high-throttled pace and "The Wind Cries Mary" its mournful beauty.