Southern Freeez (song)

1981 single by Freeez From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"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.

Released30 January 1981[2]
Recorded1980
StudioVineyard Studios, London
Quick facts Single by Freeez, from the album ...
"Southern Freeez"
Single by Freeez
from the album Southern Freeez[1]
Released30 January 1981[2]
Recorded1980
StudioVineyard Studios, London
Genre
Length5:40 (LP version)
LabelBeggars Banquet (UK)
SongwritersAndy Stennett, John Rocca, Peter Maas
ProducerJohn Rocca
Freeez singles chronology
"Stay" / "Hot Footing It"
(1980)
"Southern Freeez"
(1981)
"Flying High"
(1981)
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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

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

  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

More information Chart (1981), Peak position ...
Chart (1981) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[13]18
UK Singles (OCC)[14]8
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1987

More information Chart, Peak position ...
Chart Peak
position
UK[7] #63
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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

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