Southern Freeez (song)
1981 single by Freeez
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"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.
| "Southern Freeez" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Freeez | ||||
| from the album Southern Freeez[1] | ||||
| Released | 30 January 1981[2] | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Studio | Vineyard Studios, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:40 (LP version) | |||
| Label | Beggars Banquet (UK) | |||
| Songwriters | Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas | |||
| Producer | John Rocca | |||
| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Song information
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)[7] and its follow-up "Stay"/"Hot Footing It".[8] "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.[9]
Guest Ingrid Mansfield Allman provided vocals.[10] 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.[11]
Remix
| "Southern Freeez (Remix)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Freeez | ||||
| Released | September 1987 | |||
| Genre | House, Synth-pop, Soul | |||
| Label | Total Control Records (UK) Warner Bros./FMR (Worldwide) | |||
| Songwriters | Andy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas | |||
| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
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In 1987, the song was remixed and re-released by the label Total Control. The remix reached number 63 in the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Cover versions
UK soul singer Beverley Knight covered "Southern Freeez" for her 2011 album Soul UK.[12] 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. UK garage producer Sunship released a cover of the song in 2025.
Track listing
UK single (1981 version)
- "Southern Freeez" - 5:40
- "Southern Freeez (LP Version)"
UK single (1987 version)
- "Southern Freeez (Dance Mix)"
- "Southern Freeez (Avenger Mix)"
- "Southern Freeez (7" Edit)"
Charts
Credits
Production
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