Angelique Kidjo – Oremi

You have to be half-crazy or all-stupid to take on Jimi. Despite that, many have tried. Very few have lived to tell the tale. Those who’ve survived have done so largely through their ability to seemingly channel Jimi—Stevie Ray Vaughan, I’m looking at you.

But to REALLY take on Jimi? You have to be able to do to Jimi, what Jimi did to Dylan. Not just reinvent him, but better him.

Can it be done? Seems impossible. Has anyone done it? Probably not.

But if anyone is going to get MY vote, it’s Angelique Kidjo, with this version of Voodoo Child (Slight Return). This thing is so fucking badass it’s frightening.

Don’t get me wrong, the rest of the album has some dynamite stuff on it. Itche Koutche with Branford Marasalis is the jammy.

But once you hear Kidjo’s Voodoo Child (Slight Return), you will never, ever forget it.

Go listen. Now. Don’t be late. Don’t be late.