"People, Hell And Angels", an essential new album premiering twelve previously unreleased studio recordings completed by guitarist Jimi Hendrix, sold 72,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart.

A testimony to the abiding vitality and importance of the trailblazing American musician, "People, Hell and Angels" marks Hendrix's highest-charting album since "Electric Ladyland" spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1968. Jimi's last conceptually curated from-the-vaults studio album, 2010's "Valleys Of Neptune", also on Legacy Recordings, debuted and peaked at No. 4.

"People, Hell And Angels" achieved No. 1 debut sales numbers at a variety of the nation's retailers, both online and traditional brick-and-mortar. Many of the nation's indie are also reporting No. 1 positions for the album, a newly curated album of 12 fully realized studio cuts, more than a hour's worth of previously unheard Jimi Hendrix music.

Heralded as an essential addition to the artist's musical canon, "People, Hell And Angels" has triggered a resurgence of interest in the legendary guitarist, who would've turned 70 last November. In the wake of "People, Hell And Angels"'s success, several Hendrix catalog titles — including "The Best Of...", "South Saturn Delta", "Are You Experienced" and "Axis: Bold As Love" — are moving up on this week's Top Catalog Albums charts.

"People, Hell And Angels" showcases the legendary guitarist working outside of the original JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE trio. These twelve recordings encompass a variety of unique sounds and styles incorporating many of the elements — horns, keyboards, percussion and second guitar — Jimi wanted to incorporate within his new music. "People, Hell And Angels" presents some of the finest Jimi Hendrix guitar work ever issued and provides a compelling window into his growth as a songwriter, musician and producer.

"People, Hell And Angels" is co-produced by Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer and John McDermott. Kramer first met Hendrix at Olympic Studios in London in January 1967. Hendrix, who would have turned 70 on November 27 this year, developed a unique rapport with Kramer. As a result, Kramer engineered every album issued by the guitarist in his lifetime and recorded such famous Hendrix concerts as the Woodstock festival in August 1969. Since 1997, Kramer has teamed with Janie Hendrix and John McDermott to oversee the release of each Jimi Hendrix album issued by Experience Hendrix.