Don't Owe You A Thang

In 2011, Frootful released their debut album Colours on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, with everyone from Osunlade, Craig Charles and Diesler praising its modern-yet-retro blend of 60s soul, rocksteady, dance floor friendly jazz and R&B, whilst Jazz FM made it an Album Of The Week. The debut single taken from it, 'Fish In The Sea' became a club hit, and also featured in Steven Soderbergh's hit movie Magic Mike.

Fast-forward to 2013, and guitarist Nick Radford and crew return with an equally eclectic collection of songs and grooves that make up the new album, Heavyweight. The title originates from a soul night Nick used to play 45s at, but also tips its hat to the art of producing a record, in aiming to get an authentically heavy sound down - from the writing, engineering and recording, through to the final mixing and mastering. Co-producer Krzysztof Oktalski played a big role in getting such a sound down, himself a big Northern Soul collector, who worked with Larry Stabbins and members of Portishead on his Stonephace album (on Tru Thoughts).

As if to pay homage to their original influences, the album's opener is a cover of a track originally by Billie Poole with The Junior Mance Trio featuring one of Nick's musical heroes; jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell. This new version features the ice cool vocal of Nick's long time collaborator Angeline Morrison, also a Freestyle artist in her own right now since the release of Are You Ready Cat? earlier in 2013.

A new and exciting collaboration happens on The Road, which is a bright, breezy and uplifting soul groove, that has something of a classic Isley Brothers feel, where shimmering horns underpin Mazens Bedwei's Curtis Mayfield inspired vocals, and Frootful main man Nick Radford's tasteful guitar picking locks down this sweet summer sound.

Another quite sublime moment occurs when Mazen and Angeline Morrison voices join forces on the beautiful Baby, It's A Fine Line, a delicate duet that hints at the southern soul of Stax Records, as both vocalists take turns to express themselves over this delicate song of troubled love.

Producer of the debut album, Adam Gibbons, lends a helping hand with some production work on a couple of tracks; Gettin' Ernest skanks in a mildly dubby style, guitar and organ taking turns to let off some steam, reminiscent of the late 60s work of Jamaican music legends Jackie Mittoo and Ernest Ranglin - while Jazz Hands cooks up a distinct flavour of good ol' fashioned swing, the heavily syncopated drums having one foot in the Cotton Club and the other firmly on dancefloors of the 21st century.

Frootful's return has the hallmarks we have come to expect; originality, eclecticism and that indefinable quality that's marks them out from the crowd.

01 Frootful - Them Blues (clip)

In 2011, Frootful released their debut album Colours on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, with everyone from Osunlade, Craig Charles and Diesler praising its modern-yet-retro blend of 60s soul, rocksteady, dance floor friendly jazz and R&B, whilst Jazz FM made it an Album Of The Week. The debut single taken from it, 'Fish In The Sea' became a club hit, and also featured in Steven Soderbergh's hit movie Magic Mike.

Fast-forward to 2013, and guitarist Nick Radford and crew return with an equally eclectic collection of songs and grooves that make up the new album, Heavyweight. The title originates from a soul night Nick used to play 45s at, but also tips its hat to the art of producing a record, in aiming to get an authentically heavy sound down - from the writing, engineering and recording, through to the final mixing and mastering. Co-producer Krzysztof Oktalski played a big role in getting such a sound down, himself a big Northern Soul collector, who worked with Larry Stabbins and members of Portishead on his Stonephace album (on Tru Thoughts).

As if to pay homage to their original influences, the album's opener is a cover of a track originally by Billie Poole with The Junior Mance Trio featuring one of Nick's musical heroes; jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell. This new version features the ice cool vocal of Nick's long time collaborator Angeline Morrison, also a Freestyle artist in her own right now since the release of Are You Ready Cat? earlier in 2013.

A new and exciting collaboration happens on The Road, which is a bright, breezy and uplifting soul groove, that has something of a classic Isley Brothers feel, where shimmering horns underpin Mazens Bedwei's Curtis Mayfield inspired vocals, and Frootful main man Nick Radford's tasteful guitar picking locks down this sweet summer sound.

Another quite sublime moment occurs when Mazen and Angeline Morrison voices join forces on the beautiful Baby, It's A Fine Line, a delicate duet that hints at the southern soul of Stax Records, as both vocalists take turns to express themselves over this delicate song of troubled love.

Producer of the debut album, Adam Gibbons, lends a helping hand with some production work on a couple of tracks; Gettin' Ernest skanks in a mildly dubby style, guitar and organ taking turns to let off some steam, reminiscent of the late 60s work of Jamaican music legends Jackie Mittoo and Ernest Ranglin - while Jazz Hands cooks up a distinct flavour of good ol' fashioned swing, the heavily syncopated drums having one foot in the Cotton Club and the other firmly on dancefloors of the 21st century.

Frootful's return has the hallmarks we have come to expect; originality, eclecticism and that indefinable quality that's marks them out from the crowd.

02 Frootful - Blackberry Jam (clip)

03 Frootful - The Road feat. Mazen (clip)

04 Frootful - Benedict Boogaloo (clip)

05 Frootful - Ernie's Journey (clip)

06 Frootful - Baby It's A Fine Line feat. Angeline Morrison & Mazen (clip)

07 Frootful - The Bounding Hound (clip)

08 Frootful - Gettin' Ernest (clip)

09 Frootful - Benedict Boogaloo II (clip)

10 Frootful - Jazz Hands (clip)

Omar continues his magnificent re-emergence to the forefront of contemporary soul on this new single - from his recent new album The Man - with Treat You, as he generously features another legend of similar pedigree in Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler.

In this story of a somewhat troubled love affair, the infectious groove rolls on whilst Omar and Caron take turns to air their voices; the bitter sweet subject matter is reflected in minor key and mellow synthesiser sounds. How these two legendary voices blend into something quite amazing isn't something that can easily be described in words - but it can be said that this duet between such fine and unique talents is a rare and beautiful thing.

Ordinary Day is where the sound heads south of the equator as Omar stamps his trademark voice and production all over this happening salsa rhythm. The uptempo, sun drenched feel is augmented by huge sounding horns, a storm of blistering, latin percussion and one of Omar's best vocal performances ever.

Opolopo, renowned remixer and producer is the man who put his stamp on the recent big club version of Gregory Porter's 1960 What? and his exclusive remix of Treat You for this single is utter class, putting the emphasis on the contemporary dance floor tip without losing any of the original's soul or integrity. One of Omar's favourite remixes of his new material, Opolopo shows us why he is the man of the moment when it comes to bringing a fresh perspective to the great voices of modern soul and jazz.

Finally, long time Omar collaborator/co-producer Scratch Professer, puts his totally individual and quirky touch on Treat You, rounding off this essential 12 inch single and download.

04 Omar - Treat You (Scratch Professer Retwist)[clip]

Back in September 2007, Freestyle Records released ´Black Feeling´ an album project brought to life by Australian musical supremo Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin´ On 3 Burners, Lanu) 

Each track was presented under a pseudonym to give the impression of an album you would find whilst digging in a Caribbean record shop or American thrift store. As a collection of reworked classics, the album set dance floors alight across the world, indeed, the single ´Hippy Skippy Moon Strut´ by The Mighty Show-Stoppers became a huge selling 12 inch, and also notched up well over 350,000 individual viewings on You Tube to date!

Now in 2011, Freestyle Records is pleased as punch to be releasing this teaser 45 single that features 2 cuts from the forthcoming follow up album ´Black Feeling: Volume Two´ (FSRCD/LP090) and what total corkers they are too!

The A side is Lance & Co´s fantastic reworking of the anthemic ´Burning Spear´ under the moniker of The Poly-Tones, an intense and driving piece of soulful funk, and what could possibly equal that for the flip side? The Mighty Show-Stoppers giving Johnnie Pate´s blaxploitation soundtrack classic ´Shaft In Africa´ such a convincing and wonderful re-working, you will think you are back in time, on the film set whilst Richard Roundtree (that's John Shaft to you sucker!) kicks some serious ass!   
 

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The Mighty Show-Stoppers - Shaft In Africa

The Fantastics ! - 02 Soul Sucka

ously un-issued tracks that did not fit onto albums, or had been remixed but never quite found a home in the Freestyle release schedule. Lovingly compiled by Freestyle main man DJ Adrian Gibson.

Freestyle, being the eclectic and open minded record label that it is means Fresh Out The Box contains everything from deep and gritty live funk through to DJ/producer studio based music, but all drawing upon that rich seam of soul, jazz, funk, afrobeat & latin that informs so much of what Freestyle has done since the labels inception in 2003. 

First up is the Aroop Roy remix of Afro Elements 'Think'. Aroop Roy is a massive talent who has released one single already on Freestyle, 'Too Long', which will appear on his debut album (Nomadic Soul: FSRCD079) 

Adam Gibbons aka Lack of Afro gave The Fantastics cover version of The Small Faces tune such a sublime mix that we almost did not recognise it, replaying most of the instrumental parts himself, and taking it back to a gritty 1960's vibe. This is remixing of the highest order and he has turned an already big track into a raw dirty funk monster. Compare that to Sleeve's remix of the same tune which takes the track into a totally different direction, utilizing Noel McKoys' stunning vocals and making it easier for the beat friendly DJ to beat-mix.

When we mentioned to Keith Foster from Philadelphia's Big Pimp Jones that we were putting together this album he responded in 24 hours with 3 mixes of one song which he wanted to submit. We chose the Modern Mix of 'Nasty' for this but maybe we'll see the other mixes on future volumes as they could all have made the cut. A Janet Jackson tune has never sounded so raw! DJ Graham B had the same get up and go that we got from Keith with submitting two killer tracks for this compilation. The first 'Walking Sbace' is a solo effort with the b-boys in mind. Rocking beats and grooves to make the dancers go wild.

Beggar & Co main man Kenny Washington found a version of 'Rock Creek Park' in the vaults that was made in the 1980's, so not a new track as such but still Fresh Out The Box as it has never seen the light of day until now. This is top notch Jazz Funk from the UK's finest.

The original extended mix of Soul Sugar's cover version of Hammond legend Dr Lonnie Smiths' Play It Back had to find a home somewhere as it is so good. Check their debut album (Nothing But The Truth: FSRCD067) which came out at the tail end of 2009 on Freestyle. Fresh Out The Box is all your daily musical vitamins and goodness, in one easy to swallow package! 

10 THE FANTASTICS! - I CAN'T DANCE WITH YOU (SLEEVE REMIX)

Any comments will be appreciated :)

Thanks http://www.soundcloud.com/funkanizer for the mastering.

more info for the original band here: http://www.speakeasies.gr

The Speakeasies swing band - Bright Lights Late Nights(S Strong Remix)

Buy!

Tape Five - Slow Serenade

Winter Snow House Mix 2013










Tracklist:

Bob Sinclar - Save Our Soul (Caravan Palace Rework)
JFTH - Training For You
Don Johnston - Run Of The Miller
Groovejuice - Cafe Prague
Crazibiza - Back 2 House (Caravan Palace Rework)
Dan Caster - Wunderbar
Gramophonedzie - Why don't you
Nikola Vujicic - The Devil With The Devil
Junior Jack VS Wattie Green - Thrill Me / Straighten Up 
Etienne de Creçy VS Stereo Express - Prix Choc / Shadoorack
Saturated Soul VS Kormac - Got To Release / Wash My Hands
Crazibiza VS Parov Stelar - My Lips / Jimmy's Gang
Phunk Investigation - Critical (Caravan Palace Rework)
The Buffalo Bunch - Music Box (Caravan Palace Rework)

Snow Mix 2013 - Caravan Palace

[Pre-order via iTunes: http://j.mp/readycat]

Already familiar to fans of Freestyle Records acts Frootful and Lack Of Afro after supplying her memorable voice to tracks by both, as well as working with masters of the mellow; The Ambassadors Of Sorrow, Angeline Morrison's ability to craft subtle, yet very catchy melodies infused with folk, bossa nova, R&B and jazz rhythms and textures ensures her music sounds fresh, engaging and highly original.

Now signed to Freestyle Records as a solo artist in her own right, the music that Angeline creates has an ethereal, other worldly quality, due in no small part to the wide ranging styles and influences that inform her highly individual, quirky, song writing and vocal abilities. Stir in elements of 60s torch song style, hypnotic, exotic and eclectic melodies, and you begin to understand the myriad of musical textures Angeline blends into a homogenous soundscape.

Opening track, The Looking Dance, sets the mood, and places itself somewhere between the folky jazz of Ben Sidran and the jazzy folk of acts like Pentangle - a beautiful, memorable melody is augmented with brushed drums, flute and shimmering harp. In contrast, the title track, Are You Ready Cat?, is a toe tapping, 60s style pop-soul groover with swinging strings, sax and some indispensable glockenspiel!

The album is built up of lush, exotic, hip bossa nova numbers, that transports the listener to somewhere very south of the equator, akin to the sounds of Stan Getz/Atrud Gilberto recordings of the early 60s. While it also contains touching and introspective elements that drip heartache and pathos, which illustrates the many moods and textures Angeline has mastery of.

The album also features Slowtime - a collaboration with Angeline's long-time musical partner Nick Radford aka Frootful - which begins with stunning strings which swell and ebb away before Nick's guitar picks out the subtle rhythm as Angeline's voice caresses and strokes the wonderful touching melody.

We can only suggest you take this opportunity to indulge yourself in the music of one of the most original and talented female songwriters working today.

http://www.freestylerecords.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/freestylerecords
http://www.twitter.com/freestylerecrds

11 Angeline Morrison - Things Begin Again

ESSENTIAL 45 RE-ISSUE!
BUY 7": http://j.mp/co3bthisgirl

Cookin' On 3 Burners join the dots between soul, funk, boogaloo & jazz. Long time partners Lance Ferguson (guitar), Ivan Khatchoyan (drums) and Jake Mason (organ) have taken their home brew of soulful sounds everywhere from major jazz festivals to intimate, after hours bars and clubs across the southern hemisphere.

Taken from the band's album 'Soul Messin', the 45 This Girl features renowned Aussie songstress Kylie Auldist (renowned for her work with The Bamboos, Polyester & Mega Bias) who joins forces with the boys and provides the focus for this mellow, beautiful and incredibly catchy song. Shimmering horns ride over this laid back, deep soul classic which has been one of Freestyle Records' most popular 45s since Summer 2009!

The flipside Four n Twenty is an instrumental club killer, a deep groove you wont want to climb out of.

Cookin' on 3 Burners - Four n Twenty

iTunes pre-order: http://itunes.kud.li/fsr099d

"When I grow up, I wanna be like Omar" - Stevie Wonder

There are precious few, if any contemporary UK artists whose creative credentials and influence extend as far and so consistently wide as Freestyle Records' most recent signing Omar. Since first breaking through to worldwide renown all the way back in 1991 with his first releases on Gilles Peterson's seminal Talking Loud label, and going on to work with all manner of musical legends including a certain Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Syreeta Wright, Common, and Carleen Anderson.

Fast forward to 2013, and Omar's reputation for being a thoroughly original artist following his own individual path remains undiminished. After recently picking up an M.B.E. for his outstanding contribution to the UK music scene, even the British Establishment has now acknowledged what many already appreciated and understood for many years.

There cannot have been many times a bass clarinet b-line was destined to become one of the most memorable and catchiest moments in contemporary soul, but on the new single, The Man, that's precisely what happens. Add to that a stunning vocal performance, the slinkiest of beautiful key changes, and an uplifting vibe that simply emanates class and style, and you will understand why those who were privileged to hear The Man early on, all without exception, flipped, slipped and fell totally in love with its soul, its groove and irrepressible spirit.

This release sees three reworkings of the title track; US mainstay of conscious hip hop and electronica, Shafiq Husayn, literally leapt at the chance to remix The Man and gives it a minor mood feel, with spacey synthesiser lines added to emphasise this most memorable of melodies, Maddslinky (aka Zed Bias), came with a remix from a pumping, contemporary club direction including a driving beat coupled with spacy breakdowns and his trademark production skills, and Scratch Professer puts his unique stamp on his retwist of The Man like no one else could!

Completing the circle that began all the way back in the early 1990s, Omar has completely re-recorded his classic love song There's Nothing Like This, which this time features bass player to the Gods Pino Palladino. The touching sentiment remains undiminished, but with the addition of soaring strings, soulful, jazzy horns, an all round live and acoustic feel, plus an extended and new arrangement, Omar has done the impossible; improved upon the un-improvable, that is likely to become the definitive version of an already much adored classic.

Don't Owe You A Thang

Nichollasgon