Limited edition Freeez 12-incher Mariposa to drop in September

Freeez - 80s jazz funk band / duo

Continuing to shine a light on John Rocca & co’s pioneering early 80s music, Far Out Recordings is releasing the first 12” vinyl version of Freeez’s brit-funk classic “Mariposa”, along with the equally heavy and hard to find 12” mix of “Alone” on the flip side.

The limited Mariposa/Alone 12-incher follows Far Out’s reissues of Freeez’s first two 12” singles “Keep In Touch” and “Stay/Hot Footing it”.

Slightly more refined, but no less groovy and mysterious, “Mariposa” and “Alone” are the pinnacle of the sound Rocca and Peter Maas began developing in an East London basement in the early 80s (their track IOU scorched dance floors across the UK).

Released on Freeez’s debut album Southern Freeez in 1980, “Mariposa ” is fearsomely funky, high-tempo, melodic jazz-funk featuring Paul Morgan’s lighting drum fills, Peter Maas’s slapping and popping, Andy Stennett’s top-drawer keys and John Rocca’s percussion and otherworldly Spanish vocals.

Pure dance-floor body music, “Mariposa” typified the group’s feel-good sound and has torn up club floors throughout the 80s and beyond.

With the same core line-up, with the exception of new drummer; Light Of The World’s Everton McCalla, and Allison Gordon’s silky smooth vocal, ”Alone”, originally released as the B-side to Freeez’s “One to One” single in 1982, is a cool, heady boogie stepper, and this elusive extended 12” mix is a no brainer for any discerning jazz/funk boogie jock.

In the mid-80s Rocca would go onto craft underground cult classics such as ‘Melodies of Love’ and ‘India’ as Pink Rhythm, before foraying into the world of electro, collaborating with legendary US producer Arthur Baker.

Limited to 1,000 units worldwide, Freeez’s Mariposa/Alone has been remastered and recut for 12” vinyl and will be released by Far Out Recordings on 16 September 2022.

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