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.
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.[citation needed] 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.[1]
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.[1] Fresh then constructed his own studio, collecting numerous analog and modular synthesizers as part of the building process.[1] 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.[1]
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.[citation needed]
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".[1] The recordings peaked at number 34 and number 63, respectively, in the 1999 UK Singles Chart.[3] Several singles and a mix album followed, until 2001's release, Music for Swingers. Fresh subsequently issued numerous albums on Howlin Records.[citation needed]
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."[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[4] 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.[citation needed] Fresh released the updated second edition, with over 740 pages and more than 2,500 color photographs.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
In 2014, Fresh taught DJ techniques at the McNally Smith College of MusicinSt. 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.
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
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[5]), 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 PeelonBBC 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.
