For those unaware, not only one of the most sonically innovative guitarists in any genre, Jimi Hendrix wrote tunes that have become indelibly etched in the minds of generations of rock fans.

Built around meaty riffs that hark back to his blues and R&B influences, Hendrixs songs provide durable platforms on which to expand and improvise.

That is the modus operandi of organ trio B23, who delve into the late guitar icons songbook on their new release, simply entitled Jimi.

The album came about serendipitously, when Hammond B3 player Jeff Jenkins (Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard) and drummer Mike Marlier (Benny Golson, Dave Grusin) invited guitarist Mike Abbott (Randy Brecker, Maria Schneider) to play on a rendition of Foxey Lady they were cutting for a different release.

The longtime comrades realized they had hit on something special and began working on the project that would become Jimi.

1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Little Wing
4. Foxey Lady
5. Hey Joe
6. Fire
7. Etched in Stone
8. Jimi

Selections will be immediately recognizable to rock aficionados, as the trio launches into scorching, exploratory reads of cuts such as the totally stupendous reworking of the opener Purple Haze, which bleeds seamlessly into the Asia-imbued artistry of Manic Depression, before we get treated to a gently artistic Little Wing and the aforementioned Foxey Lady.

The magnificent, one-two bass line rhythms of Hey Joe are brought forth next and that is backed by the intricately pulsating Fire, with the album rounding out on a couple of band originals; firstly the guitar-woven majesty of Etched in Stone and then closing on the tantalizingly unique, and definitively heartfelt guitar and Hammond ballad title track, Jimi.

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