Freerange Records Turns 30
It’s hard to believe that London-based deep house label Freerange Records is celebrating its 30th anniversary. I still remember a lot of Freerange releases during my time as a free DJ in various clubs and bars throughout Berlin. Founded by Jamie Odell, who records under the Jimpster moniker, the label’s first release was a 12″ by Jimpster called “Initial E.P.” in 1996 which featured three tracks, among them the still fascinating, pretty atmospheric and moody “Martian Arts” which was perfect for the pulse and vibe just before sunrise. Over the years, the label released a crazy number of deep house wonders, but also hybrids of tunes which veered more toward jazz, electro, Latin, step, and broken beat. Audiomontage, another Jamie Odell alias, released the intoxicating Latin groove of “Wild Light” that same year (also the magical “Flyin’ High” in 2000). More great pieces over the years came from Shur-i-kan, Stateless, Hanna, Nacho Marco, Andre Lodemann, Crackazat, Black Loops, Don Carlos, and so many more.
To celebrate the anniversary, Freerange is putting out 30 exclusive tracks by 30 artists on five EPs, with a box set of all the pieces to come out later in the year. On Volume 4, to be released on September 25th, things get started with Dutch duo Dam Swindle and the very warm and soulful disco-house of “I Met Her Last Summer”. We can’t get enough of this. But my favorite track here is the ultra cool and at the same time bittersweet house meets soul cut “Body & Soul” by Rocco Rodamaal (DJ Rocco from Lyon) featuring the underrated vocals of Oliver Night. An instant classic. From Liverpool, DJ and producer Andy Ash delivers “Bailey” with some vocal loops which stay in your ears forever. The repetitious vibe of the tune with some heaven-bound synths boasts with another crazy groove. And Italian DJ Black Loops, now based in Berlin, who released his brilliant debut LP “Always Moving” last year, is featured with “Body Frequencies”, bringing yet another totally different sound here, mixing a classic house groove with some really deep drum patterns and cute vocal samples. Things turn more into Afro house on “African Dream” by Italian DJ L.D.F. & Trinidadian Deep. The track reminds me of some of the best work by Louie Vega, circa “Elements Of Life”, with strong percussion work and a deep house ethos which is just incredibly infectious. Greg Paulus shows yet another side of this label’s elusive range. “Waitin'”, with a mix by Parisian DJ and producer Krol, mixes live trumpet with vocals and a more rugged house beat. There is a buying link for the EP which you can find here: https://freerangerecords.bandcamp.com/album/30-years-of-freerange-volume-four
Volume 5 will come out on October 16th. We will also review the first three volumes once the box set will be available.
And the label will also celebrate at London’s Jazz Café with Jimpster playing a live hardware set with Andy Gangadeen on drums and Crackazat with his full live band project. A reminder here that his “Evergreen” LP received a five-paw review back in 2022. Mark your calendars on October 17th.
