 |
Freddie Cruger With releases that totally break down the otherwise fuzzy but stringent borders of old-skool hip hop, soul and nu-jazz stylings, it’s not difficult to see why the appeal of Freddie Cruger and his alter ego Red Astaire is so damned broad. With his recent album Soul Search having been picked up by bloomin’ brilliant Brighton-based label Tru Thoughts for UK licensing, Pixelsurgeon talked to the talented Swede to find out how he continues to rock dancefloors around the world with his sublime beats.
PIXELSURGEON: Hey Freddie, for any readers who don’t know what your music is like, can you describe it?
FREDDIE: Yeah, my music is a stew with all the music that I like all in one song. Mostly.
Right. And your love affair with music started in the 80s when you learnt to breakdance I’m told. What happened next and how did you end up where you are today?
Well, I worked weekends at this record store called Space, and from there I just started buying records. In ‘88 I got my first turntables and that lead me in to making beats in ’92. From that day on I was hooked.
Your sound is old school hip hop based, but also seems to have a lot of other influences like reggae, funk and Latin. Do you deliberately set out to include diverse styles or are they just a result of your own varied taste?
I can’t help but put all of these musical styles together. I just love rhythms and the result always comes out sounding new to me.
There are lots of vocal performances on Soul Search – do you prefer to make vocal tracks? What do you think a vocal generally adds to your tracks?
I prefer having the beat first and then have the artist lay vocals on it. I make musical landscapes that I want the artist I work with get into.
I wasn’t familiar with fellow Swedes Linn and MC ADL until I heard your stuff. Are they big name vocalists back in Sweden? Do you work with them lots?
Yes, they have been around for a long time and for me they are the most talented people coming out of Sweden in 20 years, at least from an urban perspective.
You’ve also got Jamaican Desmond Foster and a number of US vocalists on the album. How did you hook up these collaborations?
Desmond is a good friend of mine so that connection was already there. Cee-Rock “The Fury” was in Copenhagen and we connected and did some songs in a day. Rappadon is family on my wife’s side so were just hanging out where he lives in Queens New York with my laptop filled with beats, recording stuff in his chill out room. Swing is also from New York but has lived back and forth in Sweden for 15 years now. Anthony David called me up out of the blue when he was touring in Europe and wanted to come and see how I work and we knocked out the two songs that are on the album in one night. He has got one of the greatest voices around today.
You’ve remixed some great artists and tracks – how do you approach a remix and give it the Freddie Cruger or Red Astaire stamp?
I guess that is what mood I am in that day or what records I am digging through at that moment. That was what happened when I put D’ Angelo together with a bossa beat I made. The moment of truth was right there for me.
Yeah and what’s the deal with the Freddie Cruger and Red Astaire alter egos? Do they represent different styles? Any more monikers we should know about?
Freddie is the guy that makes songs and Red is the one I want to bring to a DJ gig.
How does the music scene in Sweden compare to the UK?
I think that the UK is the shit when it comes down to all kinds of musical styles out there. The UK has really kept the essence of what dance or club music once was in the US.
Where are your favourite places around the world to DJ?
That’s hard question but I have to say my happiest moments as a DJ have been in the UK, people there know their music for real and they like to have a good time.
Is there a record that doesn’t ever leave your bag and is certain to get even the most lethargic dance floor moving?
I have to say my own records. People expect me to play my own music when I DJ, I think that’s why I am booked in the first place.
Which DJs and producers do you rate and, as 2006 is drawing to a close, what have been your favourite releases this year?
Mad Mats can play any genre of music and still make a smooth mix and keep the dancefloor moving. But then you have Karizma who is a sick producer and DJ and incredible on the mix. There’s so many favourite releases but one of them is “Soul Fever” by Simbad.
There seems to be something of a trend towards producers and DJs performing live shows or PAs with varied results right now. Do you have any plans for live shows or will you be sticking to the DJing?
I am planning to take my DJ set in to a live stage next year; at least that’s what I am hoping for.
Finally, what does 2007 hold for you? Any exciting releases or other gossip you can share?
I will be working on a couple of things, at the moment I am working on a Linn and Freddie album which will be great. Then, I hope to make some new songs with Anthony David. Red Astaire will also be out there – you’ll find that out yourself in a record store near you!
|
