JIMI HENDRIX—The Essential Jimi Hendrix (Warner Bros.)"Hey, not a bad selection, even if it isn't as essential as the title claims (the only real essential Hendrix is the definitive Hendrix: i.e., the first three albums). However, since everything after Electric Ladyland is in a constant state of going in and out of deletion, if you didn't grab albums like War Heroes and Rainbow Bridge before they got pulled, this album is not only the next best thing, but a must.

J.M.

SYNERGY—Cords (Passport)::Larry Fast has always conjured up cinematic imagery with hi3 music but on Cords he out-evokes himself, creating a frightening technological landscape of pre-WW1 Germany—without even trying! It's everything that Bowie went to Berlin for, but leave it to a guy from New Jersey (of all places) to get it right.

J.M.

AMANDA LEAR—Sweet Revenge (Epic):: Melts in her glands, not in her mouth.

J.M.

JOHN LENNON— ( )::

J.M.