Fat Freddy’s Drop
Fat Freddy’s Drop Live at Roundhouse London (The Drop, 2010)
New Zealand sensation Fat Freddy’s Drop will be touring the United States again, bringing their potent show of dub, funk and reggae. Their live experience is now available in their latest album titled Fat Freddy’s Drop Live at Roundhouse London .
Fat Freddy’s Drop’s concerts are clearly a captivating show, featuring an impressive brass section, soulful vocals and a reverb lover’s fest. The band combines the acoustic with the electric masterfully, extending the beats, vocals, guitars and other sounds through the use of electronic effects, in a mesmerizing trance-like fashion.
Essentially, Fat Freddy’s Drop recreates the studio dub effects in a live jam performance. “It’s the perfect continuation to our studio album,” explains Fat Freddy’s Drop trumpet player Toby Laing. “It has all the live thrills and spills of our live shows, the drama. You get to hear the songs in their natural state.”
Fat Freddy’s Drop is based in Wellington, New Zealand, includes a Maori singer-songwriter and Maori musicians, a Samoan beat master, and a dynamic horn section, all of whom got together with a common interest in black music. Band members include Fitchie (Chris Faiumu) on electronic musical instruments, Joe Dukie (Dallas Tamaira) on vocals and lyrics, Dobie Blaze (Iain Gordon) on keyboards and synthesizer, Jetlag Johnson (Tehimana Kerr) on guitar, Tony Chang (Toby Laing) on trumpet, Hopepa (Joe Lindsay) on trombone and tuba, Chopper Reedz (Scott Towers) on saxophone.
“We’ve absorbed a few influences along the way: Berlin Bashment, Portuguese Top Forty, Tooting Bhangra Beat and Montmartre TV Shop Techno Hi-Life,” says Toby Laing.
Fat Freddy’s Drop Live at Roundhouse London is an astounding live performance of dub reggae by one of most interesting bands in the New Zealand music scene. Catch them live if you can.
Buy the album:
- In North America: Fat Freddy’s Drop Live at Roundhouse London. Other recordings available: Dr. Boondigga & the Big BW, Based on a True Story
- In Europe: Fat Freddy’s Drop Live at Roundhouse London. Other recordings available: Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW, Based On A True Story, Live at the Matterhorn
Watch a clip of the band’s live performance:
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
