Freeez were an Englishelectronic music group, initially known as one of the UK's mainjazz-funk bands of the early 1980s before transitioning to anelectro style.^[1] Initiated byJohn Rocca, Freeez consisted of various musicians, originally with Rocca and others such as Andy Stennett (keyboards), Peter Maas (bass guitar) and Paul Morgan or Everton McCalla (drums). They had an international hit with "IOU", and a UK top 10 with "Southern Freeez".^[2]

The jazz-funk band Freeez started in North London in 1978.^[2] Their first single, "Keep in Touch" (1979) was self-funded and produced by John Rocca on his label Pink Rhythm Records^[2] (later signed to Calibre/Pye), and included guitaristJean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, who went on to become the initiator of the bandIncognito. Freeez are known for their UKtop 10 single "Southern Freeez", from the album of the same name, also produced by Rocca on his Pink Rhythm label (later signed topost-punk labelBeggars Banquet), which included guest vocals by Ingrid Mansfield Allman.^[3] In the UK, the band then moved torecording company Beggars Banquet Records on a more permanent basis.^[4]

Freeez's last and biggest hit (top 5 in many countries worldwide) was the song "IOU", which was written and produced byArthur Baker with lyric contributions and lead vocals by Rocca and remixed byJellybean Benitez and Baker.^[2] The song was also used for the 1980sbreakdancing filmBeat Street. It spent two weeks at number one on theBillboard Dance chart,^[1] and was number 2 on theUK Singles Chart during the summer of 1983. It was followed by other releases from the album such as"Pop Goes My Love" / "Scratch Goes My Dub", which was a U.S. top 5 hit. During 1987, aremix of "I.O.U." reached number 18 on the U.S. Dance chart and number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.^[2]

Freeez reformed during 1984 without Rocca and only Peter Maas from the original members.^[2] With a new style and virtually a new group, Maas worked with Louis Smith who assumed the duties of keyboard player, co-writer and programmer, with Billy Crichton as songwriter and guitarist. The new Freeez recorded the album,Idle Vice (1985), at Studio number 2 atAbbey Road Studios in the same room wherethe Beatles made their recordings. "That Beats My Patience" was the first single from the album.

Rocca and Stennett also recorded under other names such as Pictures and Pink Rhythm during 1985 and John Rocca went on to score two further solo number oneBillboard Dance hits under his own name and the pseudonym of Midi Rain,^[2] along with several other US cult dance hits.

Louis Smith later became a session keyboard player and toured with rock bandthe Escape Club who had a U.S. number one song with "Wild, Wild West" and several other U.S. top 10 successes. He also recorded as one half of Bass Kruncher with main guitarist John Holliday from the Escape Club.

Later in 1993–94, Maas and Paul Morgan took the Freeez format again and reformed as the Dazzling Urbanites adding Poly Koutrouzas (vocals) and Max Rutherford (guitar) to the line up. Despite extensive preparation and rehearsals in North London (Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill), the original success was never achieved.^{[citation needed]}

Late 2011 saw the first CD release of their 1980 debut albumSouthern Freeez. The CD came as a double 'expanded' two-disc set featuring 12-inch versions, remixes and rare demos as well as a newly written inlay booklet featuring notes from Rocca and Maas. Their second albumGonna Get You has also been reissued in the same format.

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

• Freeez discography atDiscogs
• Freeez atIMDb

• Freeez
• English dance music groups
• British post-disco music groups
• British freestyle music groups
• English electronic music groups
• English funk musical groups
• Electronic music groups from London
• Jazz-funk musicians
• Musical groups established in 1978
• Virgin Records artists
• Beggars Banquet Records artists

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