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There is more than one artist with the name Freestyle:1. One of the most prolific and influential of the <#8217;80s electro artists, Miami-based producer Tony Butler recorded a string of popular club tracks on Power/Jam Packed and his own Music Specialist label in the mid-<#8217;80s, helping build the electro legacy that would give birth to Miami-style bass music and freestyle (named after Butler<#8217;s primary pseudonym), as well as influence <#8217;90s post-techno artists such as Autechre and Biochip C. Butler<#8217;s earlier tracks under his own name are all electro classics, with singles such as <#8220;Fix It in the Mix,<#8221; <#8220;Jam the Box,<#8221; and <#8220;Get Some<#8221; exploring a thinner, more stripped-down sound similar to Man Parrish and Cybotron. Butler<#8217;s tracks with Freestyle are perhaps the more well known, and include such club staples as <#8220;It<#8217;s Automatic,<#8221; <#8220;Don<#8217;t Stop the Rock,<#8221; and <#8220;The Party Has Begun.<#8221; His more commercial, pop-oriented writing and production work with Trinere, Debbie Deb, and Shannon, however, remain his claim to fame. Butler continued to live and record in Miami thereafter.
2. A Filipino band, formed by Top Suzara and Jinky Vidal in 1996. When Freestyle hit the Manila bar scene in 1998, it was a case of young musicians being at the right place at the right time, with the right sound. Those five guys and a girl had then what Manila was looking for- a new band with vast appeal and the knack for filling venues with their blend of pop, R<B and original hits. After seven years of doing what they do best, Freestyle has grown into an OPM heavyweight with four studio-recorded albums (two of which made platinum), a string of local and international concerts, and industry accolades under their belts, thus making them one of the country<#8217;s best-loved and most sought-after group.
Last year, a new leaf turned for Freestyle. Freestyle learned that change is vital for any band seeking quality and longevity in the music biz. Ushering a new era for Freestyle are the fresh voices of Mike Luis (former Brand New Funk, Next Level), and Joshua Desiderio (former Kindred Garden, Art < Soul), themselves seasoned musicians. Also, since the migration of one of the founding members, Carlo Tapia, Freestyle is proud to welcome Rommel de la Cruz on bass, formerly of Barbie<#8217;s Cradle. Continuing members are Gerald Banzon (drums), Nikki Cabardo (keyboards), Tat Suzara (guitar), and Jinky Vidal (vocals).
Seven seems to be a good number for the group who, after only a few rehearsals have blended together seamlessly. The addition of Mike and Joshua (who each play synths on stage) has revitalized Freestyle<#8217;s sound to a level of funk and soul that builds upon Jinky<#8217;s solid vocals and the band<#8217;s tight playing. The result is a powerhouse of rich harmonies and robust music, flavoring their cool mix of old and new school R<B, Hip Hop, funk, neo soul and ballads.
Freestyle is positive of the path they are taking. A new vibe was introduced by the new members. From watching their gigs, it<#8217;s clear that Freestyle is happy to be where they are now, and is very much here to stay.
Band info from Official website
3. A Swedish pop group from the early 1980s. Their most popular hits were <#8220;Vill Ha Dig<#8221; and <#8220;Fantasi<#8221;. Members: Tommy Ekman, Christer Sandelin, Gigi Hamilton, Joakim Hagleitner, Anders Uddberg and Diane Corinne Söderholm.
4. Hip Hop artist, former member of The Arsonists
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