Freddy Fresh

by Sean CooperFreddy Fresh is among the most active and prolific American underground dance music artists, having released more than a hundred records on a dozen different labels in less than half a decade. Born and bred in New York, Freshs name is more often associated with the Minneapolis scene, to which he relocated in the late 80s after kick-starting a passion for hip-hop and house music production. Fresh formed his longest-running record label, Analog Recordings, in Minneapolis, and his label empire has since grown to include a host of sublabels (first Butterbeat and EMF, and then Socket and Boriqua), as well as Analogs U.K. arm. In addition to a growing stateside audience, Fresh is also one of the few contemporary non-Detroit techno/electro musicians to have a strong European following, and his records for Experimental, Harthouse, and Martin Biochip C Damms Anodyne label have strengthened his international presence. Although Freddys release history has included tracks in just about every style from hip-hop and house to techno and trance, his roots and most consistently pursued affectation lay in electro; his records thrive on buzzing modular analog noises and resolutely dirty production techniques, resulting in a distinct, instantly recognizable brand of funky, minimal, somewhat experimental dance music.Although Fresh grew up a gothic rock/new wave junkie, a trip to the boogie down Bronx with his girlfriend (later his wife) in 1984 introduced him to the thriving N.Y.C. hip-hop scene. Instantly smitten, Fresh began collecting DJ tapes (Shep Pettibone, Jeff Mills, Frankie Bones, anything he could get his hands on) and, of course, records — everything from Jonzun Crew and Newcleus to Liquid Liquid and Cerrone, Bill Withers and Cat Stevens — and his collection has since grown to over 10,000 strong (making his side gigs as a DJ a bit easier). Freshs first work behind the boards came via Bronx legends Boogie Down Productions, with Fred remixing a track for a B-side release (although good luck finding it, and Fred recommends you dont try!). From there, Freddy began piecing together a studio, collecting many of the ancient analog synths that give his records their distinct, almost studio-jam feel (he mixes all his tracks live). In 1992, after releasing debut singles on Nu Groove and Silvo Tancredis Experimental imprint, Fresh established his first label, Analog, to release his own tracks. The label and its offshoots have since attracted such weighty names as Thomas Heckman, Tim Taylor, Cari Lekebusch, DJ Slip, the Bassbin Twins, and Biochip C. In 1995, Fresh inked a contract with noted German techno label Harthouse, and his second full-length, Accidentally Classic, was released by the labels U.K. arm in late 1996, with a Harthouse U.S. reissue following close behind. His third album, The Last True Family Man, followed on Harthouse Eye Q. Several singles and a mix album followed until the release of his next full-length, Music for Swingers in 2001. Additionally, Fresh has released records through Wisconsin-based acid stronghold Drop Bass Network, Labworks, and noted German electro label Electrecord.