Freddy Fresh

Freddy Fresh
Frederick Schmid, better known by his stage name Freddy Fresh, is an American DJ, musician, and electronic music producer. Fresh has recorded for over 100 independent record labels, including major labels Sony UK, Virgin, BMG UK, and Harthouse Germany. He is also founder of the record labels Howlin' Records, Electric Music Foundation, and Analog.
Fresh had two international hit records in the UK, "Badder Badder Schwing" (featuring Fatboy Slim) and "What It Is". Fresh has performed in clubs, as well as festivals, including Glastonbury Festival, Creamfields Festival UK, Reading-Leeds Festival, and Jazz and Groove Festival.
Early life
Fresh was born Frederick Schmid, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
Career
In addition to a growing U.S. audience, Fresh was also one of the few contemporary non-Detroit musicians of the techno/electro genre to receive a strong European following. His records for Experimental, Harthouse and Martin "Biochip C" Damm's Anodyne label were evidence of his popularity in Europe and also strengthened his international presence. Although Fresh's releases included tracks in hip hop, house music, techno and trance music, his musical essence exists in the electro and breaks subgenres.
Although Fresh grew up listening to gothic rock and new wave, a trip to the Bronx, New York, U.S. in 1984 introduced him to the hip hop scene. Fresh began collecting DJ tapes (Shep Pettibone and Marley Marl) and records from the Jonzun Crew, Newcleus, Liquid Liquid, Cerrone, Shannon and Cat Stevens.
Fresh's first studio recording was released on Boogie Down Productions, with Fresh remixing a track for The Man & His Music Dedication album for Scott La Rock. Fresh then constructed his own studio, collecting numerous analog and modular synthesizers as part of the building process. In 1992, after releasing debut singles on Nu Groove and Experimental, Fresh's first record label, Analog Recordings, was formed in late 1992, and grew to include numerous imprints: Analog UK, Butterbeat, Electric Music Foundation, Socket and Boriqua.
The label and its offshoots have since attracted Thomas Heckman, Tim Taylor, Cari Lekebusch, DJ Slip, the Bassbin Twins, and Biochip C. In 1995, Fresh signed a contract with German techno label Harthouse Records and his second full-length album, Accidentally Classic, was released by the label's UK arm in late 1996 – a Harthouse U.S. reissue was later released.
His third album, The Last True Family Man, was released on the Eye Q label and resulted in two international chart hits, "Badder Badder Schwing" (featuring Fat Boy Slim) and "What It Is". The recordings peaked at number 34 and number 63, respectively, in the 1999 UK Singles Chart. Several singles and a mix album followed, until 2001's release, Music for Swingers. Fresh subsequently issued numerous albums on Howlin Records.
In the late 1990s, he formed the record label Against The Grain with then-partner Krafty Kuts. Fresh also released records through the Wisconsin, U.S.-based Drop Bass Network and the German label "Electrecord."
In 2000, Fresh also formed a collectors label specializing in vinyl 45 singles, called "Howlin' Records", and released over 35 singles and four albums through the label. The catalog of Howlin' Record includes "Have Records Will Travel," "Outstanding in His Field," "Diggin' Up Ghosts," "Surrounded By Funk" and Howlin' Greatest Hits.
In 2004, Fresh released the reference book entitled Freddy Fresh Presents The Rap Records, which covers the history of the early independent "old school" rap scene, and provides an extensive catalog of rap releases from 1979 to 1989. The book was featured in The Source, Vibe, The New York Times and Village Voice, and won journalism awards in the U.S. — it is recognized as the only reference book on the subject. Fresh released the updated second edition, with over 740 pages and more than 2,500 color photographs.
In 2008, Fresh released the updated Freddy Fresh Presents The Rap Records Book Revised Edition that contains thousands of full-color photos from the independent rap scene.
In 2014, Fresh taught DJ techniques at the McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began work on his next album, Play The Music, with a launch of various singles starting with the song "Hardcore Rocka" done with Andy Ictus feat. Jamaica reggae stars Tanto Metro & Devonte with a video released in October 2014.
Discography
Albums
Play The Music (CD, Album) HCD08 2015
Textura (20xFile, MP3, 320) Howlin' Records HDG 04 2009
Tangene (10xFile, MP3, Album) Howlin' Records HDG 03 2009
Time Again (15xFile, MP3, 320) Howlin' Records HDG 01 2008
Freddy Fresh Presents Rory Hoy - Cosmic Child (CD, Album) Howlin' Records HCD06 2008
Surrounded By Funk 2 versions Howlin' Records 2007
Freddy Fresh Presents The Conductor Crucified - Its Sorta Like Sweeping in the Wind (CD, Album) Stark Ravin' Records SRCD01 2007
Diggin' Up Ghosts (CD, Album) Howlin' Records HCD03 2005
Outstanding in His Field (CD, Album) Howlin' RecordsHowlin' CD 02 2004
Have Record Will Travel 2 versions Howlin' Records 2003
Freddy Fresh & MPC Genius - The Trainspotters Dream Mastermix Vol. 3 (CD, Album, Mixed, Promo) Delic Records FFCD-003 2003
Music For Swingers 2 versions Brooklyn Music Limited (BML) 2002
Watch That Sound 2 versions Millennium Records 2002
Freddy Fresh & MPC Genius - The Trainspotters Dream Mix Vol. 1 (CD, Album, Mixed, Promo) Howlin' Records 2002
Freddy Fresh & MPC Genius - The Trainspotters Dream Mastermix Vol. 1 (CD, Album, Mixed, Promo) Delic Records FFCD-002 2002
The Last True Family Man 8 versions Eye Q (UK) 1998
Accidentally Classic 3 versions Harthouse1996
Freddy Fresh / Biochip C. - Los Amigos En Electro 2 versions Anodyne (2)1996
Analog Space Funk (CD, Album) Analog Records USA none 1996
Freddie Fresh* Presents Nitrate - Acid Stuker (CD, Album) Death Becomes Me, Labworks UK DBMLABCD 9 1996
Singles and EPs
Freddy Fresh, Kitten and The Hip HDG15 2014
Freddy Fresh, Andy Ictus, Tanto Metro & Devonte - Hardcore Rocka (File, AIFF, EP) Howlin' Records HDG14 2014
Paul Birken And Freddy Fresh - Midwest Whippersnappers EP (12", EP) Earwiggle EAR 003 2012
Freddy Fresh / Mick & Marc - Big M Productions Presents... Vol.1 (12", Promo)Big M Productions BigMP01 2009
Tasty EP (12", EP, Ltd) Howlin' Records, Howlin' Records HOWLIN1201, Howlin' 01 / 12 2007
Flamenco (7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 32 2004
For Alex (7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 30 2004
Winter / Black Out (12") Electric Music Foundation EMF 032003
They Can't Compete (7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 262003 *VTreacherous Three / Freddy Fresh - Bum Bum Bum Bum / He Lay Face Down(7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 25 2003
Bowlin' With Mike (7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 27 2003
Orange Krush (7", Ltd, Cle) Electric Music Foundation EMF 02.5 2003
Boricua House Party 2 versions Peppermint Jam 2002
Sunshine / That Big Beat Feeling 2 versions Howlin' Records 2002
Music For Swingers 2 versions Howlin' Records 2002
Feel The Groove EP 2 versions Electric Music Foundation 2002
Freddy Fresh / Spear 'N Jackson - Music for the Younger Set / Babysitting 2 versions Howlin' Records 2001
Abstract Funk Theory Sampler (12", Smplr) Obsessive EVSLP17E1 2001
Krafty Kuts / Freddy Fresh - Stop The Nonsense / La Chunga (7") Howlin' Records- Howlin' 03 2001
Dynamo Productions / Freddy Fresh w/ Skate Board Kings - A Message From The King / Are You Feelin' It (7") Howlin' Records Howlin' 11 2001
Abstract Funk Theory Sampler (12", Smplr) Obsessive EVSLP17S 2001
Still/ The Joint Sugarhill Remixed (Megamix) (12", S/Sided, TP) Sanctuary Records CLK12001 2000
Have Some Faith / Badder Badder Schwing (Unreleased Japanese Edit) (7", Promo) Howlin' Records -Howlin' 02 2000
Freddy Hums Your Favourites (12") Kingsize KS 42 2000
Freddy Fresh Featuring Fatboy Slim - Badder Badder Schwing 6 versions Eye Q (UK) 1998
What It Is 8 versions Eye Q (UK) 1999
Freddy Fresh / Le Tone / First Born* / Space Raiders - Untitled (CD, Single, Comp) Sony Music SINE 001CD 1999
Yew'r A Sissy (10", Promo) Fresh (UK) FRESH 001 1999
Freddy Fresh & Beat Archaeo'logist, The / Silverkick - Mr Roachclip / Voyle(7", Num) Slut Smalls SMALL 005 1999
It's About the Groove 5 versions Eye Q (UK) 1998
Tim Taylor & Freddy Fresh - Fear of Music 2 2 versions Fear of Music 1998
Down for the Count 4 versions Eye Q (UK) 1998
DJ Voodoo (2) & DJ Tree / Freddie Fresh* - A Voodoo Nation (12") Swell Records SWELL007 1998
Quiver 2 versions Analog Records USA 1997
Barrio Grooves 3 versions Harthouse 1997
Chupacabbra 3 versions Harthouse 1997
Flava 3 versions Harthouse 1997
Drum Lesson 3 versions Eye Q (UK) 1997
Freddie Fresh* Featuring Invisible Man, The* - Fresh Is The Word 2 versions Sockett 1997
Yew'r A Sissy 2 2 versions Fresh (UK) 1997
Analogue Space Funk EP 2 versions Holzplatten 1997
Axodya Limited 007 (12") Axodya Axodya Limited 007 1997
Scared (12") Pussy Lick PL01 1997
Dan Zamani, DJ Slip, Freddie Fresh* & Tim Taylor - Minneapolis Sessions Part 2 (12") Analog Records USA Analog 33 1997
Freddie Fresh*, Tim Taylor, DJ Slip & Dan Zamani - The Minneapolis Sessions(2x12") Missile Records Missile 20 1997
Smells Like Funk 4 versions Harthouse 1996
D.J. Delite 2 versions Electric Music Foundation 1995
Freddie Fresh* / Andre Estrada - Aurora EP 2 versions Analog UK 1995
Freddie Fresh* / Brixton - Analog 23 2 versions Analog Records USA 1996
'Lectro Outtakes 3 versions Electrecord (2) 1996
Tension EP 2 versions Emergency Broadcast, PIAS Holland 1996
Freddie Fresh* & Tim Taylor - Untitled 2 versions Not on Label 1996
Federico Fresh* y Loco Puertoriqueno - Abusadora EP (12", EP) Boriqua BF01 1996
Paul Mix & Freddie Fresh* - Gates (12") Analog UK anauk03 1996
Freddie Fresh* / Auto Kinetic - Auto Kinetic vs. Freddie Fresh (12") Electric Music Foundation EF17-12 1996
Freddie Fresh* Presents Nitrate - The Fog (12") Death Becomes Me, Labworks UK DBMUNDLAB027 1996
Brixton vs. Freddie Fresh* - 505 Track (12", Whi) X0X Track TR 505 1996
Flotsom (12") Harthouse HHUK 005 1996
Logical Grooves (12") Hybrid Sound Architectures HYB 022 1996
Comatone 95 2 versions Electric Music Foundation 1995
Freddie Fresh* / Mike Henk - Untitled 3 versions Pulsar Recordings 1995
Freddie Fresh* vs. Dr. Walker - DJ Fresh Analog U.S. Vs. Walker Cologne DJ.Ungle Fever Germany 2 versions Analog Records USA 1995
Freddie Fresh* & Woody McBride - Psychopocalyptic 95 3 versions Analog Records USA 1995
Federico Fresh* / Biochip C. - Los Amigos En Acid 2 versions Analog Records USA 1995
Freddie Fresh* & Tim Taylor - St Paul EP 2 versions UXB 1995
House of Electronics 2 versions Psycho Trax 1995
Freddie Fresh* & Tim Taylor - The Penguin / Scissorhands 2 versions Missile Records 1995
DJ Hyperactive / Freddie Fresh* - Alien Funk (12") Delirium USA delerium usa 950603 1995
Brixton vs. Frederick Frisch* - Kein Anschluss (12") Holzplatten HOLZ005 1995
Thought Process 2 versions Analog Records USA 1994
Equinox (5) / Freddie Fresh* - Pollux / The Searchers 2 versions Synewave London 1994
From Minneapolis To Paris 2 versions Radikal Groov Records 1994
Analogical Mind (12", Cle + 12", Cle) Dj.ungle Fever D.J.UNGLE FEVER 014 1994
Gnarl EP (12", EP) Drop Bass Network DBN014 1994
Freddie Fresh* / Paul Mix - Blinky & Hud E.P. 3 versions Analog Records USA, Digidl 1993
Paul Mix & Freddie Fresh* - Compilation #001 2 versions Analog Records USA, Digidl 1993
Advanced Waveform Synthetix 2 versions Experimental 1993
Freddie Fresh* / Auto Kinetic - TBor notTB / Diode (7", Cle) Electric Music Foundation EF 01-7 1993
Freddie Fresh* / Auto Kinetic - Tarantula / Pterodactyl (7", Ltd, Cle) Electric Music Foundation, Electric Music Foundation EF 03-7, EF03-7 1993
The Rave Mixes Volume 1 (12") Rave Records (USA) RM 912 1992
Hidden Rhythm (2) & Freddie Fresh* - B.O.O.M. (12") Nu Groove Records NG-109 1992
Comatone EP (12", EP) EXperimental EX-09 1992
Feelin' Mighty Fresh 2 versions Sensuist Records Unknown
909 Track (12") X0X Track TR 909 Unknown
Compilation albums
Abstract Funk Theory 3 versions Obsessive 2001
DJ mixes
The Rap Records - The Mastermix (3xCD, Mixed) Ful-Fill Recording FFR007 2010
The Essential Mix 3 versions Word Up Records 1998
Freddy Fresh Presents B-Boy Stance (Original Old Skool Party Rockers) 3 versions Strut 2002
Still / The Joint (CD, Mixed) Sanctuary Records SANCD008 2000
DJ Freddie Fresh* / DJ Tim Taylor* - Transcore Version 4.0 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Fairway Record 50548 1995
Miscellaneous
Freddy Fresh & MPC Genius - The Trainspotters Dream Mastermix Vol. 2 2 versions Delic Records 2002
Film and advertising
Fresh's music also appeared in films such as Austin Powers in Goldmember and Jackie Chan's The Tuxedo, as well as in television commercials by Adidas, Budweiser, Coors, Ritz Crackers, and Xbox.
Touring
Fresh tours regularly and has DJ'd in over 34 countries, including Russia (Olympic Stadium, where he opened for The Orb), Australia ("Teriyaki Anarki Saki" and Future Entertainment), Canada (MTV Canada) and Spain (Club Spain). He has also been featured on Club TV, S2 and House Viva TV. His list of radio appearances include two Peel sessions for John Peel on BBC Radio 1.
Fresh mixes all his tracks live. He sequences with an MPC 2000XL and MPC 4000, and uses pre-midi analog synthesizers and modular systems.
Personal life
Fresh married his wife, Alexandra, on 21 April 2005, in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. The couple are parents of two daughters.
References
External links
– official site
Freddy Fresh at SoundCloud
They're rapping for a hip hop diploma article on CNN
Living people
American DJs
American electronic musicians
Record producers from Minnesota
Musicians from Minnesota
Year of birth missing (living people)