Freeez
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Despite being known globally for its two top ten hits as per the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1983, Freeez was initially known for its emergence as one of the UK's first and leading Jazz Funk bands of the very early eighties. Founded by John Rocca, Freeez gained considerable respect from the industry, DJs and the Jazz Funk and Dance public as a dance music group from London, England. Freeez is perhaps best remembered for its youthful style of British Funk especially the UK top ten eighties hit "Southern Freeez" and other UK and European hits. Much of the band's early work, including the track "Southern Freeez"became part of the jazz-funk scene in the UK, in the early 1980s [1]. The band were signed to the record label Beggars Banquet Records [2].
The song "I.O.U.", written, produced and mixed by Arthur Baker, (then known for his work with New Order and Afrika Bambaataa), was also used on the 80's breakdance movie Beat Street. It spent two weeks at number one in the US Billboard dance chart, sandwiched between the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson and David Bowie, and was number 2 in the national United Kingdom Gallup charts through the summer of 83. It was followed by other releases from the album such as "Pop Goes My Love" / "Scratch Goes My Dub," which hit the US top five. In 1987 a new remix of "I.O.U." showed the strength of the 80's anthem by climbing back up to number eighteen on the U.S. dance chart, plus number twenty-three in the national UK Singles Chart.
The original group consisted of various musicians depending on the year but always with founder John Rocca and key members such as Andy Stennet - keyboards, Peter Maas - bass, and Paul Morgan or Everton Mcalla - drums. Freeez's first record, Keep in Touch, included guitarist Jean Paul Bluey Maunick founder of Incognito. Southern Freez incuded vocals by Ingrid Mansfield Alman. John Rocca and Stennet also recorded as Pictures and under other pseudo names such Pink Rhythm in 1985.
Freeez reformed in 1983 with Louis Smith taking the duties of keyboard player co-writer and programmer with Billy Chrichton (formerly of VOXPOP) now the songwriter and guitarist. Freeez then went on to record an album called Idle Vice at the famous studio number 2 at Abbey road studios in the same room where the Beatles did their recordings. "That Beats My Patience" was the first single from the album. Louis Smith went on to be a session keyboard player and toured with the rock band The Escape Club who had USA number one hit "Wild Wild West" and several other USA top tens. He also recorded as one half of Bass Kruncher with the lead guitarist from The Escape Club and enjoyed a number 1 hit in the British dance charts.
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[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- "Keep In Touch" (Pye Records) - June 1980 - Number 49 (UK)
- "Southern Freeez" (Beggars Banquet Records) - February 1981 - Number 8 (UK)
- "Flying High" (Beggars Banquet Records) - April 1981 - Number 35 (UK)
- "One To One" (Beggars Banquet Records) - June 1982 (UK)
- "I.O.U." (Beggars Banquet Records) - June 83 - Number 2 (UK)
- "Pop Goes My Love" (Beggars Banquet Records) - October 1983 - Number 26 (UK)
- "Love's Gonna Get You" (Beggars Banquet Records) - November 1983 - Number 80 (UK)
- "That beats my Patience (Beggars Banquet Records) - 1984 (UK)
- "Train of Thoughts (Beggars Banquet Records) - 1984 (UK)
- "I.O.U." remix (Citybeat) - January 1987 - Number 23 (UK)
- "Southern Freeez" remix - May 1987 - Number 63 (UK)
[edit] Albums
- Southern Freeez (Beggars Banquet Records) - February 1981 - Number 17 (UK)
- Gonna Get You - October 1983 - Number 46 (UK)
- I.O.U. - 1983 (USA)
- Idle Vice - 1984 (UK)
[edit] John Rocca solo
[edit] Singles
- "Once Upon a Time" (Street Wise - Beggars Banquet) 1984
- "I Want It To Be Real" (Citybeat) - March 1987 - Number 94 (UK)
- "Extra Extra" - November 1987
- "Move"
- "I.O.U."
[edit] Albums
- Extra Extra - June 1987
