Artist: Freddie Hubbard Album: Open Sesame

Year: 1960
Duration: 53:30

A Critical Review of Freddie Hubbard's Open Sesame Album

If you're into jazz music, you might be aware of Freddie Hubbard and his remarkable contribution to the genre. His album, Open Sesame, is considered as one of the most accomplished works in his career. As a music enthusiast, I decided to give this album a listen and review it for anyone who is interested. In this blog post, I'll dive deep into the history of this jazz artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts of the album, and my honest critique of it.

Freddie Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter who started his professional music career in the late 1950s. He's known for his passion for jazz and experiments in fusion music. Open Sesame album was released in 1960, it was one of Hubbard's first releases as a solo artist and he was accompanied by a crew of young jazz guns who were equally gifted as Hubbard. The album is part of the hard bop jazz category, which emphasizes sharp melodies, and sophisticated rhythm.

The album opens with the title track, Open Sesame, which is simply breathtaking. The fast-paced beat of the song and Hubbard's trumpet skills will keep you hooked and fully engaged. Another standout track is But Beautiful, which features a soft and calm piano melody that is complemented by Hubbard's trumpet playing. The album's closing track, Gypsy Blue, is a perfect end note to this excellent jazz performance.

In terms of innovation, the album's most revered quality is Hubbard's playing. He demonstrates his talent throughout the entire album, showcasing his precise handling of his instrument, the trumpet. His ability to interpret music in his style and create an innovative sound that keeps the listener engaged is remarkable. The use of the double bass to provide the rhythm section in the songs also stood out for me, it created a perfect balance, while still providing the necessary structure to the upbeat jazz experience.

While I believe Open Sesame is a fantastic album, there are some issues that need to be addressed. One of the major drawbacks of the album, in my opinion, is the lack of variety of songs. Most of the tracks are played at a similar tempo with the same style, making the album sound repetitive and predictable.

Open Sesame is an extraordinary album that showcases Freddie Hubbard's musical genius. The album is peerless in Hubbard's catalog and defines the genre of hard bop jazz. The trumpet playing is outstanding, the rhythm section is uniquely refined, and the songs are polished and well-produced. Although the album has its flaws, it's certainly worth a listen for anyone who loves jazz music or wants to explore the genre's early roots.