Southern Freeez (song)

"Southern Freeez" produced by John Rocca was the first single released by British dance band Freeez from the debut Southern Freeez (album) of the same name. The album was self funded by John Rocca and initially released on his Pink Rythm record label before being signed to Beggars Banquet.

"Southern Freeez"
Single by Freeez
from the album Southern Freeez[1]
ReleasedJanuary 1981
  • 19 June 2020 ('20+20' re-recording)
Recorded1980
StudioVineyard Studios, London
GenrePost-disco,[2] funk[2]
Length5:40 (LP version)
LabelBeggars Banquet (UK)
Songwriter(s)Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas
Producer(s)John Rocca
Freeez singles chronology
"Keep in Touch"
(1980)		 "Southern Freeez"
(1981)		 "Flying High"
(1981)

Song information

Freeez gained far higher recognition and sales with this record than with the previous single, "Keep in Touch". "Southern Freeez" reached number one in the blues and Soul chart and spent two weeks at number 8 of the UK Singles Chart during early 1981[3] ("Keep In Touch" reached number 49).[4]

Guest Ingrid Mansfield Allman provided vocals.[5]

The titular Southern Freeez is attested to derive from a dance move, "The Freeze," used by clubbers in the "Royalty" club, Southgate in the early 1980s. A then-popular song, "The Groove" by Rodney Franklin, has moments where the band drops out for a bar, and a style of freezing movement at these points took hold.[6]

Remix
"Southern Freeez (Remix)"
Single by Freeez
ReleasedSeptember 1987
GenreHouse, Synth-pop, Soul
LabelTotal Control Records (UK)
Warner Bros./FMR (Worldwide)
Songwriter(s)Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas
Freeez singles chronology
"I.O.U. (remix)"
(1987)		 "Southern Freeez (Remix)"
(1987)

In 1987, the song was remixed and re-released by the label Total Control. The remix reached number No. 63 in the UK Singles Chart.[4]

Cover versions

UK soul singer Beverley Knight covered "Southern Freeez" for her 2011 album Soul UK.[7] A cover also appeared on the album Brasil Bam Bam Bam (2014) by Sonzeira, a band formed by Gilles Peterson with Emanuelle Araujo and Valerie Etienne on vocals.

Track listing

UK single (1981 version)
  1. "Southern Freeez" - 5:40
  2. "Southern Freeez (LP Version)"

UK single (1987 version)
  1. "Southern Freeez (Dance Mix)"
  2. "Southern Freeez (Avenger Mix)"
  3. "Southern Freeez (7" Edit)"

Charts

1981
Chart Peak
position
UK[4] #8

1987
Chart Peak
position
UK[4] #63

Credits

Production

John Rocca

Musicians
  • John Rocca (percussion, vocals)
  • Peter Maas (bass)
  • Andy Stennet (keyboards)
  • Paul Morgan (drums)
  • Gordon Sullivan (electric guitar)
  • Ingrid Mansfield Allman (vocals)

Song
  • Written by John Rocca, Peter Maas and Andrew Stennett

See also

References
  1. "Freeez Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1960-09-23. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  2. Day, David (20 October 2004). "Some of My Favorite Things: David Day (Freeezstyle)". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 214. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. "Ingrid Mansfield Allman Summer Soulstice". Summersoulstice.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  6. "Robert Elms Show". Robert Elms Show. October 4, 2013. Event occurs at 2:30:20. BBC London 94.9.
  7. "Beverley Knight cover of Freeez's 'Southern Freeez'". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
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