Some songs aren’t just classics—they’re sacred ground. Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” is one of them, a blues-drenched, cosmic anthem that has stood the test of time. But when a trio of improvisational heavyweights like Ari Joshua (guitar/vocals), Russ Lawton (drums), and Ray Paczkowski (keys) decide to put their stamp on it, you know it’s going to be something special.

Dropped on March 14, 2025, via Music Factory Records, this reverent-yet-fearless reinterpretation doesn’t just cover Hendrix—it channels his spirit, offering a mind-expanding journey through blues, soul, and psychedelia.

Some bands rehearse a song into the ground. RAaR Trio let it breathe.

This version of “Voodoo Chile” is all about raw energy, deep groove, and musical telepathy. Joshua’s fiery guitar work soars over Lawton’s locked-in, pocket-driven drumming while Paczkowski’s swirling Hammond organ adds a rich, otherworldly depth.

“You don’t just cover Hendrix—you summon his spirit,” says Joshua. “This track has an aura, a weight to it, we didn’t pre-meditate it, this was the one take, we wanted to tap into that OG 1960’s electricity while bringing our own spirit to the table.”

What they created was a seamless fusion of jazz, funk, and psych-rock, dripping in improvisational freedom.

This trio isn’t new to sonic experimentation. Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski are longtime members of Trey Anastasio Band, known for their hypnotic grooves and jam-band mastery. Ari Joshua, a guitarist who bends genres as effortlessly as he bends notes, has collaborated with Robert Glasper, Delvon Lamarr, John Medeski, and other boundary-pushing artists.

Their take on “Voodoo Chile” feels less like a cover and more like a long-lost jam from the golden age of psychedelic rock—a session where Hendrix himself might have walked into the room, nodded in approval, and picked up a guitar.

This release adds another chapter to RAaR Trio’s expanding catalog of deep, exploratory jams: including “Star Lord” – an interstellar jam packed with raw, psychedelic energy, “Father Time” – a groove-heavy track showcasing musical telepathy, and “Rae of Light” – a soulful, organ-driven tribute to Joshua’s grandmother.

That’s just scratching the surface. With releases like “Star Light Mountain,” “Kambo Wambo,” and “Waltz of 1000 Stars”, Music Factory Records continues to push the boundaries of modern psychedelic music.

Some covers play it safe—this one takes risks. RAaR Trio don’t just recreate “Voodoo Chile”—they bring it into the now, injecting modern improvisational energy while staying true to the blistering blues spirit of the original.

Hendrix fans will appreciate the deep reverence for the source material. Music lovers will get lost in the fearless creativity that defines this release. And jam-band devotees, they’ll recognize that this isn’t just a song—it’s a moment in time, captured in one take, never to be played the same way again.

Press play. Turn up the volume. Let the electricity flow.

“Voodoo Chile” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Upcoming concerts

The All's Eye
April 11, 2025
at Umbra in Brooklyn, NY
*with Blahsum

The All's Eye
April 12, 2025
at Park City Musc Hall
*opening for Kung Fu

The Ari Joshua Band
April 18 &19, 2025
at Queen Anne Beer Hall
*after PHISH party

The All's Eye will be releasing 'Say What You Wanna Say' and Ari Joshua will be releasing 'Reversible Submersible' featuring John Medeski, & Billy Martin in April.

Listen to Ari Joshua and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Rock, Punk & Metal’

“Voodoo Chile” - Ari Joshua

“To the One I Love” - James Shumway

"Break the Fall" - Johnny Barr Ft. Calum Ingram