Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision

There is arguably no recording studio quite like Electric Lady, which was conceived, conceptualised and constructed by Jimi Hendrix and his eclectic posse of dreamers and artists alike. The historic studio, located in the heart of Manhattan, firmly established itself as a stalwart of modern music-making, servicing the brightest stars of every generation since its birth. Such an iconic institution, the first ever artist-founded and owned commercial studio, deserves for its story to be shouted from the rooftops – Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision aims to do just that, setting in parallel the journeys of Hendrix as a rocker and the development of his cherished creative haven.

Told principally from the perspective of the visionaries behind Electric Lady, including legendary producer Eddie Kramer and his engineering elves, the documentary details how so many were drawn into the studio’s orbit by chance and later became intrinsic to its success. All the while, a family was formed – what emerges above everything else is a sense of camaraderie between all of those involved, particularly prevalent in a number of track breakdown sequences (Freedom and Dolly Dagger among them), featuring Kramer and mentees-turned-collaborators Kim King, Dave Palmer and John Jansen.

Hendrix is an omnipresence in this documentary, painted as the unrelenting impetus behind the studio and a clear subject of admiration and devotion of his colleagues. However, those seeking an ostentatious account of his career should get their fix elsewhere. In place of portraying the glitzy and glamorous rock-and-roll lifestyle, the film’s focus remains close to home throughout, infused with tenderness towards those left behind to keep things afloat.

This domesticity inspires a feeling of intimacy that is ultimately what distinguishes and characterises the documentary. The inclusion by director John McDermott of a series of poignant Hendrix home videos serves only to augment the notion that anyone touched by Electric Lady is “enveloped by warmth”, as Kramer so simply and perfectly encapsulates.

The film is as meticulously crafted as the work produced at Electric Lady Studios, succeeding in spotlighting the masterminds behind the operation and forgoing a histrionic retelling of Hendrix’s tale. It would take an entire series to adequately encompass Electric Lady’s legacy and contemporary achievements – perhaps among them acting as the chosen songwriting sanctuary for Taylor Swift, the pop superstar having established herself as a regular visitor. For now, Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision lays the foundation and is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates how truly unifying music can be.

Tallulah Allen

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision is released on 3CD/Blu-Ray and 5LP/Blu-Ray box sets on 4^th October 2024 and digitally on demand on 15^th October via iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Vudu. 

Watch the trailer for Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision here: