FFR12.12 - So easy

I had a week off after that 6 Mix - took me ages! - but now I'm back with a double LP easy listening extravaganza. Kicking us off is the Shirley Bassey album Something, probably her best ever LP and resident platter in many a '90s jazz-dance DJ's box. The killer here is of course Light My Fire and here she is doing a blistering live version at The Roundhouse in 2009.

Imaginative on-screen visuals! (Not.) But Shirl looks great of course, and this is pretty faithful to the vinyl version (although you neeeeed the "original" for your DJ set - check it here!)

Also featured is Spinning Wheel and the title track, both of which do it for me.

As if that wasn't enough I'm throwing in a Verve comp called Latin Delights featuring 17 (count 'em) cracking bossa-tinged jazz cuts, including this from Cal Tjader.

All you need to do to win both these fantastic albums plus a random Impotent Fury 7" is to Tweet your answer to the following question: how could we get much higher? (Other than by lighting my fire, of course.) Winner announced on Friday!

FFR12.11 - Artful Dodger

So we're on a 12" tip this week. The pick of the bunch is the single "Forgive Me" by Lynden David Hall; a great talent, sorely missed. Given the current love affair with all things UK garage I imagine the chin strokers among you will be getting excited about the Artful Dodger remix which I put on one of the Breezeblocks back in 2001ish. Re-e-wind indeed.

"This one's fresh this one's a brand new / check the mike a-one-two." Top stuff. And the Ignorants mix is a choon as well. Should I post it here as well? Why not.

As if that wasn't enough I'm throwing in the debut 12 by Dre's female protege The Lady Of Rage (plus Snoop guesting!) with her homage to her gay posse, "Afro Puffs."

"I rock rough and stuff / with my afro puffs" and there they all are in the video, out and proud. Plus the En Vogue classic "Hold On" which you all know so I won't bother posting it here.

So to win these three banging 12"s, just tweet your answer to the following question: which other Dickensian character should be making dance remixes? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday.

FFR12.10 - The French Touch

So we're going much more modern this week. As I've been spending a lot of time in Paris (oo la la! doing an art installation actually - more news as it breaks) and there's an election on over there (topical!) I'm giving away a French classic: You My Baby & I, the 1999 debut LP by one of my favourite producers Alex Gopher. Here's The Child which was the single, and what an amazing typographic video (later ripped off for various ads.)

Here's another track, Ralph & Kathy, but the whole album's great to be honest.

So to win this LP plus a random Impotent Fury 7", just tweet your answer to this question: who should be the next French president? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday!

FFR12.09 - I Gotta Be Me

OK more free vinyl cominatcha - and you know I had to gat ya! (Extra points for spotting the quote.) This week it's my old favourite Sammy Davis Jr. with a cracking album on his buddy Frank's label Reprise, I Gotta Be Me. Here he is singing it on Playboy's TV show After Dark.

And the whole album's as good as that. This track was a bit of an anthem for Sam: check him out doing the same track in Chicago (only sound but an epic spoken intro) after US blacks had condemned him for hugging Nixon.

Anyway it could be yours on vinyl plus an Impotent Fury 7" if you answer the following question: given that one gets Jr added to your name if your parent with the same name is already famous, which new Jr would you like to see emerge? Possibly too complex a question - I'm going to have fun Tweeting it! - but what the heck. Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords! Winner announced on Friday. 

FFR12.08 - Mods are back

Hi All - apologies for the lack of free vinyl for the last fortnight but life got in the way. I'm back now and in weird syncronicity with the Modfather's latest album release I'm giving away a copy of The Jam's classic first album, In The City. Here's track one side one - pure energy - 1 2 3 4!

And here's a live version of the title track introduced in fine style by Tony Wilson no less.

You could win an original vinyl copy of this album plus an Impotent Fury 7" if you answer this question - which city are they in? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday. Now where's my parka..?

FFR12.07 - Bonzoid

Hi folks, it's Monday and I'm still recovering from the farewell Airside party which was a doozie. So forgive the odd typo. 

Talking of odd, here's the kings of odd, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, with a greatest hits comp on Edsel entitled The Bestiality Of Bonzo Dog Band and compiled by Viv Stanshall himself. He wisely sticks their two best tracks (IMHO) at A1 and A2 respectively and here they are for you to sample. Firstly the amazing Canyons of Your Mind on sixties BBC programme Colour Me Pop. 

Also features THE BEST GUITAR SOLO EVER (yes I know I said that about the Buzzcocks) at 1.09 from Neil Innes. Frying pan! Frying pan! Sublime...

And now The Intro and The Outro, which speaks for itself.

There's loads more goodies on this 17 track LP (Shirts! What is it? I don't know) and it could be yours if you tweet the best answer to the following question: who else should be credited on the Intro & the Outro, and playing what instrument? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday. Hooray!

FFR12.06 - Trouser Jazz

I've got the flu. Urgh. And I'm still giving away free records! That's dedication for you kids.

So I'll keep it brief. Mr Scruff's second album; triple vinyl. Check these.

To win, tweet answer to this question: what kind of trousers are best for trouser jazz? Don't forget hashtag #fredsfreerecords. I'm off to bed bah humbug.

FFR12.05 - Noise annoys

Here we go with a seven inch fredsfreerecords give away very dear to my heart - this is pretty much the first record I ever bought with my own money on a school day trip to Margate when I was thirteen while my classmates were in the amusement arcades. It's the Buzzcocks' Love You More and there was a press outrage at the time it was released cos it was only 1.45 long - the punx are tipping off our pop kids with their super short singles shock horror! I cared not and indeed embraced the brevity of this masterpiece, and when you added the super cool Malcolm Garrett sleeve (that run of Buzzcocks sevens could be his finest work) I was a very happy school boy indeed. Here's the B-side which is equally great, Noise Annoys - give it a chance to get going!

Art punk at its finest. To win this original seven inch single from 1978 plus a random Impotent Fury release delivered to your door at my expense by a uniformed government operative (ie a postman) just tweet the answer to this question - which noise annoys? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday.

FFR12:04 - Chase me!

OK I'm back in the saddle after a week and a day off (slacker!) Here's an all time classic - the soundtrack from Midnight Express by Giorgio Moroder. I'm giving away the whole album but there is really only one track, The Chase which some young scamps mixed into one of their ramblin' tunes when playing live many moons ago. It's a proper monster that pretty much invented the whole of techno single-handedly. Check out the man himself on German TV having just won an Oscar (topical!) for the track in question. You might need to scroll forward a bit but it's definitely worth it!

To win this album on vinyl (stickered with an Oscar logo) plus a random Fred extra, just tweet the answer the following question: which track should also win an Oscar? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords!

Fred's Free Records 2012.03: Rave On!

Phew, 2012 is starting to hot up in every way. This week we've got a classic Rave album up for grabs, and that's not a phrase you hear very often. Royal House was Todd Terry's first big success and Can You Party is the big smash off their first album. Watch your Dad do his cardboard box dance when you spin it!

As indeed will I cos it's a CHOOON! The rest of the album is pretty top notch also - here's A Better Way.

To win this top slice of 80s vinyl plus an Impotent Fury bonus all sent to you at my expense just answer the following question: why is this House Royal? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords and remember - hardcore will never die! (But you will - Mogwai fan Ed.) 

Fred's Free Records 2012.02 - female R&B 12"s

Last week was fun - thanks to Huey Morgan and 6Music for the props. Here's a double pack of R&B 12" bangers to kick us off this week. First up is a cracker from none other than Toni Braxton who's getting extremely fierce with He Wasn't Man Enough For Me. Check the video below - how much attitude has she got? Ignore the bizarre manga beginning that I don't remember from the first time round at all, but you've gotta love the ending. Poor bloke!

Next up another stone cold classic - SWV with I'm So Into You. And you KNOW it's got to be the Allstar Drop Check Dance Mix which laiona2525 has kindly uploaded - compare and contrast with the original if you want to appreciate what a masterpiece of a remix this is.

To win both these fantastic 12"s plus a random Impotent Fury 7" just answer the following question: who would've be man enough for Toni Braxton? Yes, I know I would've and doubtless so would Huey - but who else? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday.

Fred's Free Records 2012.01: Wendy & Lisa

Hi - I'm back at last with more free vinyl. So we've all got a crush on Wendy & Lisa. I put their killer Are You My Baby on The Triptych and now I'm giving away both their Virgin albums, their first two post-Prince releases which are packed full of goodies. Check out this blistering live version of Honeymoon Express for starters (low quality audio but worth it):

The studio version is on their debut album and the aforementioned Are You My Baby is on their second - wottachoon!

Not to mention Lolly Lolly, Sideshow, Fruit At The Bottom and loads of other goodies. Both LPs can be yours plus a random Impotent Fury 7", sent to your door at my expense. Just answer the following question: are you my baby? Best answer wins - don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday.

Fred's Free Records 14 - last one of 2011

OK here's my last slice of free vinyl for the year. It's been great fun giving some of my favourite tunes away and I'll be back in 2012 with more goodies. But I'm going out with a bang as this is possibly the most valuable record I've given away so far. Antena's blissful indie-bossa debut five track EP has been re-issued and re-mixed several times (by Joakim among others) since its 1982 release but the originals are still the best. Check out the lead track Camino Del Sol here:

And let's be clear that this is not a re-issue but the original Crepescule vinyl release which will set you back £30+ on Discogs. It could be yours for free plus an Impotent Fury 7" if you answer the following question: what would I most like for Xmas? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced Friday morning. 

Fred's Free Records 13 - unlucky for some!

Cripes we're on dangerous ground here - the 13th free record give away. If I was really slick I'd have timed it to co-incide with Halloween! And herrrrrre's Grace Jones with the LP of Slave To The Rhythm The story here is that Trevor Horn recorded the track and it was released as a single on ZTT to great acclaim; he then wanted to do a whole album but Island wouldn't let him. So he simply re-mixed the single eight times and released it as an album anyway. It's an interesting listen as a whole but the lead track is undoubtedly the main event. Of course you know it (you don't? shame on you!) but here it is anyway.

To win a copy on vinyl plus an Impotent Fury 7" just answer this question: what else does ZTT stand for? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced on Friday.

Fred's Free Record 12

Back once more / with the Funky Four Plus One More / "That's The Joint" - wind that back etc etc. We're getting soulful this week with Maze's classic live double album "Live in LA" and this is one you can play aaallll the way through. Plus the fourth side is in fact all new material (at the time) recorded in the studio and includes the smasheroo Before I Let Go - check it here:

There are lots of clips on youtube that will confirm the fact that Maze live are the shizzle; I saw them myself last year at Hammersmith and they rocked it. This album confused me for many years: I was searching for the studio version of this very track but assumed that the one on here was live. I looked and looked and I had it all the time! Durr.

Anyway it could be yours plus an Impotent Fury limited edition 7", mailed to your door at my expense if you answer this question most aptly and amusingly: which live venue should I choose for my "comeback"? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords. Winner will be announced on THURSDAY not Friday (I'm going away on Friday cos it's my birthday - dunno where - missus has organised surprise trip - quite excited! - but no guarantee of wi-fi hence early deadline.)

All suggestions gratefully received - my career in your hands once more! Now, back to those origami giraffes...

Fred's Free Records 11

Back after a fortnight's absence and v late in the day for which much grovelling, here's the latest slice of free vinyl goodness for your ears; a double header from the production stable of Mantronix at his 80s peak. Check out T La Rock's Breakin' Bells here.

Nice production moan from T LA Rock himself underneath on the youtube page! Paul Haig told me the same about his Mantronix "collab." Anyway the B side Bass Machine is just as good.

This is the UK pressing of this track on 10 Records and to win it for free plus a random Fredmix CD sent to your door at my expense simply answer the following topical question: what should I do with the rest of my life? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords! Winner announced on Friday pm as usual; have fun and make those answers good 'uns - please!

Fred's Free Records 10

Back after a week off and disappointingly I haven't got a Halloween special - apologies. No, it's a triple twelve inch fest from possibly the most talented artist of all time, Prince. Up for grabs are Purple Rain, Kiss and U Got The Look - all extended versions not on the albums and ditto for the B-sides. Talking of which, here's the B-side to U Got The Look, Housequake (choon!) which you'll be getting seven minutes of; this version is live and smokin'.

To win these three 12"s plus a random Fredmix CD all sent to you at my expense, simply answer the following question: which country is Prince a prince of? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - winner announced Friday pm.

Fred's Free Records 9

This week's slice of vinyl is a bit more contemporary than usual; it's the debut album by Annie. I'm a big fan of this record and there are many good tracks to choose from. Chewing Gum is great and Heartbeat is a cracker for sure. But the banger is her debut single, Greatest Hit. No video unfortunately but check it out here:

What a smasheroo - should've been number one for months. Anyway a double vinyl copy of this album is yours for free plus a random Fredmix CD if you answer this question in the most pleasing way (it's the inverse of last week's) which song should Annie cover? Tweet your answer with the usual hashtag #fredsfreerecords (new harsh rules after last week's sloppiness) and I'll announce a winner on Friday. Fire when ready!

Fred's Free Records 8 -

Hi folks! I'm back in the saddle with another classic. This is certainly one of my favourite albums of all time and could even be number one - Donald Fagen of Steely Dan's first solo album The Nightfly. Packed with goodies (I.G.Y., Maxine, Ruby Baby) but of course the smasheroo is New Frontier and here's the AWESOME video - it's one of the first animated / live action music videos with a great message and if you haven't seen it you're in for a treat.

All together: "Now I can't wait / Till I move to the city / Till I finally make up my mind / To learn design / And study overseas." I've played this track out a lot and used it in many a mix - it goes especially well with speed garage. I tried to clear it for The Triptych but Mr Fagen himself nixed it by fax which is still kinda nice.

So if you want a vinyl copy of this album delivered to your door at my expense plus a random Fredmix CD then just tweet your answer to this question: Who should cover this song? Don't forget the hashtag #fredsfreerecords - I'll chip in now and then and announce a winner after lunch on Friday. Have fun!

Fred's Free Records 7 - Eighties dancefloor

More vinyl classics to give away this week. First up Soft Cell's hugely underrated Northern Soul cover sequel to Tainted Love, What. Check out the video here but bear in mind you'll be getting the vastly superior 12" version.

Plus (cos they felt like a nice pair) a white label of Propaganda's classic Duel: video here but again your 12" version is an extended one.

It's a musical tragedy that Propaganda split after one album, and I have to say that my heart still skips a beat when I see Claudia Brucken. 

To win both these 12", posted to you at my expense with a Fredmix CD thrown in, answer the following question: who would best play Marc Almond in the Hollywood biopic of his life? Tweet the answer with the hashtag #fredsfreerecords and I'll choose a winner on Friday. Have fun pop pickers!