Best Debut Ever?

It’s one of the great music discussions/arguments ever - What band or artist released the greatest debut album ever. If you ever want to grab a beer to discuss, I’m all ears. Released on this day in 1967, Are You Experienced? by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is always part of these discussions. Its innovative approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing would soon establish a new direction in psychedelic and hard rock music.

The elements of hard rock and deep, fuzzy riffs were married with a jazz-like quality. It was an album that was filled with feelings, manic and beautiful at the same time. It was also something that many people had never heard before. Iggy Pop once said, “When it came out, nothing else had ever sounded like this. Super special.”

The UK version kicks off with “Foxy Lady” while the US version that was released three months later starts with “Purple Haze” which was not on the UK version at all. “Foxy Lady” started with a vibrating guitar building to a rhythm and blues feedback swagger. “Purple Haze” was the quintessential psychedelic rock song. From the title to the weird echo that Hendrix created, the song, according to Hendrix, was a love song. “He [the song's protagonist] likes this girl so much, that he doesn't know what [state] he's in, ya know. A sort of daze, I suppose.”

Let’s also mention how great the rhythm section was - Drummer Mitch Mitchell exerted dynamics and thrust, along with a jazz component, and bassist Noel Redding served as a fluid and inventive player.

While Hendrix clearly owned the heavy sounds, it was his more gentle moments that shine brightest on the album. “The Wind Cries Mary” is my favorite. It’s a jazz standard disguised as a rock ballad. Even Jimi’s voice makes me think of Coltrane’s sax or Miles’ trumpet.

The albums holds up to this day with so many bands emulating and inspired by his sound. Psychedelic soul with hints of everything. There will never be another Jimi Hendrix.