Southern Freeez (song)
| "Southern Freeez" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Freeez | ||||
| from the album Southern Freeez[1] | ||||
| Released | 30 January 1981[2] | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Studio | Vineyard Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Brit funk,[3] post-disco,[4] funk[4] | |||
| Length | 5:40 (LP version) | |||
| Label | Beggars Banquet (UK) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas | |||
| Producer(s) | John Rocca | |||
| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Southern Freeez" produced by John Rocca was the first single released by British dance band Freeez from their debut album, also entitled Southern Freeez. The album was self-funded by member John Rocca and initially released on his Pink Rhythm record label before the group was signed to Beggars Banquet.
Song information[edit]
Freeez gained far higher recognition and sales with this record than with the previous singles "Keep in Touch" (which reached number 49 in the UK sales charts)[5] and its follow-up "Stay"/"Hot Footing It".[6] "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[7]
Guest Ingrid Mansfield Allman provided vocals.[8] 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.[9]
Remix[edit]
| "Southern Freeez (Remix)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Freeez | ||||
| Released | September 1987 | |||
| Genre | House, Synth-pop, Soul | |||
| Label | Total Control Records (UK) Warner Bros./FMR (Worldwide) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas | |||
| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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.[5]
Cover versions[edit]
UK soul singer Beverley Knight covered "Southern Freeez" for her 2011 album Soul UK.[10] 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[edit]
UK single (1981 version)[edit]
- "Southern Freeez" - 5:40
- "Southern Freeez (LP Version)"
UK single (1987 version)[edit]
- "Southern Freeez (Dance Mix)"
- "Southern Freeez (Avenger Mix)"
- "Southern Freeez (7" Edit)"
Charts[edit]
1981[edit]
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 18 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 8 |
1987[edit]
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK[5] | #63 |
Credits[edit]
Production[edit]
Musicians[edit]
- John Rocca (percussion, vocals)
- Peter Maas (bass)
- Andy Stennet (keyboards)
- Paul Morgan (drums)
- Gordon Sullivan (electric guitar)
- Ingrid Mansfield Allman (vocals)
Song[edit]
- Written by John Rocca, Peter Maas and Andrew Stennett
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Freeez Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1960-09-23. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 31 January 1981. p. 24. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Freeez | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- ^ a b Day, David (20 October 2004). "Some of My Favorite Things: David Day (Freeezstyle)". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 214. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Freeez - Stay/Hot Footing It [1980]". Far Out Recordings. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ "Freeez". www.britfunkheaven.org.uk. Archived from the original on 13 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Ingrid Mansfield Allman Summer Soulstice". Summersoulstice.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ "Robert Elms Show". Robert Elms Show. October 4, 2013. Event occurs at 2:30:20. BBC London 94.9.
- ^ "Beverley Knight cover of Freeez's 'Southern Freeez'". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Southern Freez". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Freeez: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
