[2] Instrumentally, the song has a strong rhythmic drive provided by drummer Mitch Mitchell with harmonic support by bassist Noel Redding.
"Stone Free" was issued on December 16, 1966, as the B-side of the Experience's first UK single "Hey Joe" and later included on the Smash Hits compilation album.
[4] ("Look Over Yonder", recorded by the Experience in 1968, began in 1966 as "Mr. Bad Luck", written and performed by Hendrix with his band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames in Greenwich Village, New York).
'[7]"Stone Free" is an uptempo song which has a strong rhythmic element, due in large part to Mitchell's jazz-influenced drumming approach.
[2] Although he "constantly underlines Hendrix's vocals and guitar parts in a dramatic fashion [with] fills and changes of rhythmic emphases", Mitchell continues to "stress the snare beat"[2] and adds quarter-notes on the cowbell.
[8] Redding's bass line provides harmonic support similar to a rhythm guitar[2] and has been compared to "Philly Dog", a Mar-Keys song.
[8] Guitarist Jeff Beck, who considered "Stone Free" his favourite Hendrix song,[10] commented, "It's got bits of Buddy Guy; it sounds like Les Paul in places.
[20] Roger Chapman from Family and Andy Fairweather Low from Amen Corner (two British groups the Experience had toured with) provided background vocals.
[20] Reprise Records later issued the original "Stone Free" and the remake was first released on the Alan Douglas-produced Crash Landing album in 1975.
[23] A 1993 cover of the song by Eric Clapton from the album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix reached #43 in the Canadian RPM charts.
[24] "Stone Free" was frequently performed by Hendrix and live recordings with the Experience, Band of Gypsys, and the Cry of Love touring group have been released on albums.