"The Cry of Love" is a posthumous album by Jimi Hendrix, released in 1971 by Track Records, and later by Reprise Records in the United States and Polydor Records in the United Kingdom. The album contains songs that Hendrix was working on for his planned double album, which was provisionally titled "First Rays of the New Rising Sun." Released only seven months after Hendrix's untimely death, this was the first of several albums of unreleased material that were issued following his demise.
The album features notable tracks such as "Angel," a serene ballad that reflects Hendrix's penchant for soft romantic songs, and "Freedom," a funk-infused track that showcases Hendrix's skills as a rhythmic guitarist. "Ezy Ryder" and “In From the Storm" are also part of this compilation, songs that provide a glimpse into the direction in which Hendrix was heading musically - a blending of rock, soul, and funk.
Jimi Hendrix wrote and produced all the songs on the album, with mastering done by Robert Ludwig. Notably, "The Cry of Love" was engineered by Eddie Kramer, who had a long-standing working relationship with Hendrix right up until his death.
This album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard and number 2 in the United Kingdom, a testament to Hendrix’s enduring legacy and the public’s marvel at his musical brilliance. While this was the first posthumous release, it was far from the last, and it set a solid platform for the release of subsequent albums that aimed to commemorate Hendrix's genius. It was later reissued in 2014, as part of the Hendrix family's continuing efforts to remaster Jimi's discography.
