Mixed emotions abound around Sony's latest reissue of late guitar hero Jimi Hendrix's catalogue. The albums released during his life (Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland and the compilation Smash Hits) are still nothing less than phenomenal, hence their importance so many years after their release. Still, each album only sounds as good as its initial recordings, and the lack of bonus material or other add-ons is deflating, leaving one to wonder why they need to buy these yet again.

As for the posthumous affairs, Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix is basically Smash Hits with a few extra tracks, while both First Rays of the New Rising Sun and Valleys of Neptune aim to re-create Hendrix’ vision on unfinished work via notes and input from the original musicians. Given that First Rays is 13 years old at this point, its new edition has about as much value as the other reissues: it’s cool, but it's really just another repackaging.

Only newest effort Valleys of Neptune offers any true curiosity and, thankfully, it delivers extraordinarily. Featuring music recorded by the original Jimi Hendrix Experience circa 1967 to 1970 and only embellished by new production when necessary, the album allows Hendrix's compositions to shine unabashedly and honestly enough to feel genuine. Moreover, the songs continue in the loose, funky blues-rock direction Hendrix had taken post-Electric Ladyland, giving the album a sense of relaxed fun. Still, minimal raw material means that a few previously unreleased versions of familiar songs make up five of the album's 12 tracks.

Fun and interesting even if they're not vital in comprehending the genius of Jimi Hendrix, both Valleys of Neptune and the catalogue reissues are far from the worst abuse of Hendrix’s legacy since that mournful day in 1970.