Formed:1996 in London, England
Genres:Rock
Styles:Trip-Hop, Electronica, Funky Breaks, Big
Beat
Labels:Mammoth (6), Freskanova (5), Import
(2)
More old-school hip-hop, electro and ragga than big-beat techno
(though they're often
pigeon-holed that way), the Freestylers were formed by the trio
of Matt Cantor, Aston
Harvey and Andrew Galea. All three were British b-boys back in
the day, and were
heavily involved in Britain's dance scene by the late '80s, both
as DJs and producers --
Cantor recording as Cut'n'Paste, 2 Fat Buddhas and Freska All
Stars among others,
Harvey as Blapps! Posse (author of the 1990 breakbeat classic
"Don't Hold Back").
Harvey had also worked with Rebel MC and Definition of Sound,
but after meeting
Galea, the pair began recording together as Sol Brothers and
soon brought Cantor
into the fold as well.
Taking the name Freestylers from their first sample (Freestyle's
"Don't Stop the
Rock"), the trio released their first single, "Drop the Boom
(AK-48)" and formed their
own Scratch City Records to release it. The track was a prime
slice of vocoderized
electro, and became an underground club classic as far afield
as bass-driven Miami.
The Freestyle EP followed late in 1996, and Freestylers also
released singles on
Freskanova (home of Cantor's many solo projects). The group even
managed a chart
hit (and Top of the Pops appearance) with 1998's "B-Boy Stance,"
a collaboration
with vocalist Tenor Fly. A spate of remixing followed, for Audioweb,
Afrika Bambaataa
and the Jungle Brothers (the latter a pair of the Freestylers'
prime influences). The trio
also helmed the big-beat compilation FSUK 2 and contributed a
Radio One Essential
Mix (where Beenie Man, Public Enemy, the Fall and Whodini all
rubbed elbows). Live
appearances at Glastonbury and around the European festival circuit
met with much
praise, and the Freestylers finally released their debut album
We Rock Hard in 1999.
-- John Bush, All Music Guide
Similar Artists: DeeJay Punk-Roc Dub
Pistols Lo-Fidelity Allstars
Death in Vegas Propellerheads Fatboy Slim Dust
Junkys Headrillaz
The Prodigy
Roots and Influences: Freestyle Kraftwerk Afrika
Bambaataa Whodini
Performed Songs By: Aston Harvey Matt Cantor
1998
We Rock Hard
Mammoth
1999
We Rock Hard [Japan Bonus Tracks]
Import
1999
We Rock Hard [UK Bonus Tracks]
Freskanova
1996
Freestyle EP [EP]
Scratch City
1997
Uprock EP [EP]
Freskanova
1998
B-Boy Stance [UK]
Freskanova
s
1998
Warning
Import
s
1998
Ruffneck/Spaced Invader
Freskanova
s
1999
B-Boy Stance [US]
Mammoth
s
1999
Here We Go [CD5/Cassette Single]
Mammoth
s
1999
Here We Go [CD Single]
Mammoth
s
1999
B-Boy Stance (US Remixes)
Mammoth
s
1999
B-Boy Stance (UK Remixes)
Freskanova
s
1999
Phenomenon One/Back to 99
s
1998
B-Side: Player 1 Press
B-Side: Player 1 Press Start
1998
Jungle Brothers
Because I Got It Like That [UK #2]
Remixing
1998
Audioweb
Policeman Skank
Remixing
1998
White Noise, Vol. 2
White Noise, Vol. 2
Group, Producer
1998
Gimme a Break: #1
Floor
Gimme a Break: #1 Floor Rocking
Big
Producer
1998
Plastic Compilation, Vo
Plastic Compilation, Vol. 2
Producer
1999
Liquid Todd
Action
Producer
Freestylers
Up and coming renegade-electro-disco boys The
Freestylers have already created their own niche in
the short time they have been around. Picked up from
their initial scratchings on the Scratch City label,
their classy sound has already earmarked their
previous EPs as classics. Their debut track 'Drop
The Boom' also known as AK-48 on the US bootleg
copies was a social anthem, achieving genuine
classic status in bass addicted Miami. Already
trailblazing the distinctive sound that will make
them underground superstars, next was the 'Uprock
EP'. 'Freestyle Noize' came on like the proverbial
bull in a china shop, knocking down the place with
its revved up bass and attitude filled samples.
'Lower Level' sank deeper down and came across like
the Chemical Brothers versus Studio One whilst
'Breaker Beats' was all electro shocking and
windmills, as the boys pulled out the old mats and
spun on their backs, hands and knees. Ruff! Muzik
single of the month. Coming up next is the
'Adventures In Freestyle EP'. Taking it another step
forward, main track 'B-Boy Stance' features the
vocal talents of Tenor Fly in a cheeky breaks meets
reggae mash up. For those glued to the dancefloor
'Feel The Panic' sees them throwing down classic
riffs and samples to storming effect. Bonus track
'Breaker Beats 2' is for the breakdancers - anyone
who has seen their live show will know the
significance of these.
"Best attraction there - they should have been on
the main stage" - The Independent (Fantasia, G-Mex,
Manchester)
Behind the Freestyle mask are scene stalwarts aston
Harvey (Blapps posse) and Matt (cut & paste boy).
The boys are already out as an all mixing and
dancing threesome joined by their DJ J-Rock (London
Funk Allstars), so keep an eye open for those future
events. Their record collections (taking in
everything from Hashim and Big Daddy Kane to
Kraftwerk and Studio One). Currently working on
tracks for their debut album with the likes of Chuck
D and Soul Sonic Force (due Sept '98) they've also
contributed an exclusive track to Adam Freeland's
forthcoming 'Coastal Breaks 2' album.
News: The Freestylers will be performing their
blistering live set at all Major UK and European
festivals from our very own Glastonbury to Holland's
New Frontiers. Their long awaited debut album 'We
Rock Hard' is scheduled for September, a month in
which we will also hear the results of the boys'
'New York Project' - The Freestylers featuring Chuck D.
σΠΙΣΟΛ BPM :
1 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
105.5
Album Version
2 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
170.2
Grooverider Vocal
Mix / Grooverider
3 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
117.0
Dub Pistols Club Mix
/ Dub Pistols
4 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
124.8
Dub Pistols Club Mix
/ Dub Pistols
5 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
106.0
Robbie Hardkiss Remix
/ Robbie Hardkiss
6 > B-Boy Stance ...............................................
106.0
Jay Rock's Remix /
Jay Rock
7 > Don't Stop ......................................................127.8