As Jane Austen once said, it is a truth universally acknowledged that Jimi Hendrix was one of - if not the - most inspiring players of all time. But what were the albums that introduced rock's greatest guitarist to music and inspired his own playing and songwriting? We've put together this gallery of 14 albums to answer just that question.

All of the notes on the albums come from Jacob McMurray of Seattle's EMP Museum, a leading Hendrix expert who's had near-unrivalled access to the guitarist's record collection and is well-placed to talk on the subject.

Jacob's latest exhibition, Hear My Train A-Comin' - Hendrix Hits London, is due to open at The Hospital Club, London tomorrow (28 July) and offers an insightful look at the guitar god's formative period in the UK capital, including some of his outfits, interviews, letters, diaries and even the guitar Jimi 'sacrificed' in his last London performance of the period.