After the U.S. release of Are You Experienced and American tour dates that left jaws dropped, anticipation was very high about the next Jimi Hendrix album. Many fans and critics now consider this follow-up, Axis: Bold As Love, his best collective effort. Released in November of 1968, it immediately garnered high praise for its incredible performances and innovative engineering by Eddie Kramer. The album was to spawn many hits including Up From the Skies, If 6 Was 9, Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing and Castles Made of Sand, among others. Again joined by Noel Redding's bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums.