Group "Freestyle": composition, biography, albums

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The group "Freestyle" is one of the most famous musical groups of the era of "Soviet pop music". The ensemble was remembered by the listeners thanks to the bright melody, special style and pronounced charisma of the participants, who always performed their songs without a phonogram. The first composition of the Freestyle group was awarded many music prizes and awards from both the USSR and modern Russia.

History of the creation of the group

Freestyle Group was formed in autumn 1988 in Poltava, Ukraine. The author of the project was the famous Ukrainian producer Anatoly Rozanov. The first album was recorded in a makeshift studio in the apartment of one of the musicians. The very first composition of the group was formed from musicians, residents of the city of Poltava. And it included:

• Sergey Kuznetsov - programming, backing vocals, keyboards.
• Vladimir Kovalev - guitar, backing vocals.
• Sergey Ganzha - guitar, backing vocals.
• Anatoly Kireev - vocals.
• Nina Kirso - vocals.
• Dmitry Danin - keyboards, composition.
• Alexander Bely - keyboards, arrangement.
• Vadim Kazachenko- vocals.

This line-up was used to record the debut album "Get", which was mixed by the legendary sound engineer Leonid Sorokin.

Immediately after the completion of the recording of the album, the group begins to actively prepare for concert activities, in connection with which drummer Alexander Nalivaiko and vocalist Anatoly Stolbov were accepted into the Freestyle group.

The recorded material was sent to the label "Zvuk", located in Moscow and engaged in the production and distribution of pop artists of the "new wave" in the USSR.

Popularity

In the 80-90s, the Freestyle group released a number of tape recordings, which were sold in huge numbers throughout the country. The band members did not expect such success, and in 1991, in the wake of the popularity of tape recordings, two collections were compiled, published by Melodiya on vinyl records.

The official edition of Freestyle's music not only strengthened the success among the band's fans, but also allowed Anatoly Rozanov to organize live concerts. The tour was organized by the famous accompanist Rafael Mazitov, who not only created ideal working conditions for the Freestyle group, but also allocated free time to record new songs in the tour schedule.

The main difference between "Freestyle" and almost all the pop bands of the USSR was an incredible ability to work. The group worked to the limit, carefully working out every detail in the compositions, re-recording one or another vocal part several times. This approach to creativity was soon appreciated not only by music critics, but also by ordinary listeners.

The beginning of 1990 brought the group not only all-Union popularity, but also many profitable creative acquaintances. In subsequent years, such outstanding personalities as Tatyana Miller, Sergey Bakhmat, Kristina Orbakaite and many others worked with Freestyle.

Competitors

It so happened that Freestyle was formed at about the same time as such legendary Soviet groups as Laskovy May and Mirage, which led to strong competition, which Anatoly Rozanov’s team successfully withstood for many years thanks to diverse repertoire of the group, as well as live performance of all songs at concerts. "Mirage" and "Tender May" lost to "Freestyle" in many respects due to the lack of live instruments on the record, and also because of the constant work to the phonogram.

"Freestyle" gave concerts less often. however, during each of them there was a real, carefully prepared show, which included dance elements, special lighting (imported color and music systems were used). Pyrotechnics were also actively used.

Early 2000

After the departure of Sergei Dubrovin, the group decides to record vocals on their own. The keyboardist of the project Sergey Kuznetsov, who has a pleasant baritone voice, is invited to the microphone stand.

Between 2000 and 2010For years, the group has been engaged in the restoration and strengthening of its former popularity. Collections with old songs are being actively published, musicians are working on new works and arrangements for old compositions. The concert programs include new songs, musical sketches. The composition of the Freestyle group is actively experimenting with sound, and also conducts long tours with the stars of Russian show business.

During this time, Freestyle managed to work with Kristina Orbakaite, Valery Leontiev, Diana Gurtskaya, and the Prime Minister group. The return to the world of show business was incredibly successful for the group, and new compositions returned her name to the music charts and charts.

Modernity

At present, the composition of the Freestyle group has been awarded many awards from the USSR, Russia, and also the CIS countries. The band performs at prestigious international music festivals such as Golden Street Organ, Songs of the Sea, USSR Disco, Disco of the 1980s, Disco of the 1990s, Mirage - 18 years old, Idols of the 1990s- x” and “Songs of the 1990s”.

The group also took part in various concerts and benefit performances, which were later shown on TV: “Meeting Place - INTER”, “Benefit Performance Nikolo”, “Folk Music”, “Our Song”, “Shlager Parade”, "Yan Tabachnik" and "I have the honor to invite." The team actively participated in the filming of television shows for TV channels in Russia and the CIS countries.

In 2009, the composition of the group "Freestyle" on a large scale celebrated the twentieth anniversary of creative activity, organizing a large-scale tour of the citiesMoldova, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary.

Studio Freestyle

On February 16, 2012, the Freestyle group opened a recording studio in their hometown of Poltava, called "Studio Freestyle". Leading music experts not only from Russia and Ukraine, but also from Germany, France and Belgium were invited to the opening and test recording. Based on the reviews of many of them, the studio was recognized as "the world of recording", a project that meets all the norms and criteria of the European recording business.

Solo careers of members

In 1992 the legendary vocalist Vadim Kazachenko left the band. On the cover of the single "It hurts me, it hurts" he was no longer listed in the composition. His name was written next to the band's name, showing his minor role in the song's recording. Despite this, she became his personal author's hit, with which Kazachenko began a successful solo career.

The second vocalist of the group, Sergey Dubrovin, replaced Vadim. He also could not stay in the group for a long time, however, he recorded the super hit “Oh, what a woman” with her. In 2001, Sergei decided to pursue a solo career and moved to Germany.

GROUP DISCOGRAPHY

The band's album titles are rather monotonous. Since no one believed in its members during the creation of the group, the first album was called "Get it!" The next three albums were named after the first one.

In this listnumbered albums of the Freestyle group are presented, excluding various collections and concert performances.

1989 - "Get it!"

1989 - “Get it! – take 2”

1990 - “Get it! – take 3”

1991 - Freestyle 4

1992 - “Get it! – take 5”

1993 - Tormented Heart

1995 - "Oh, what a woman!"

1997 - "Viburnum blooms"

Since 2001, the band has been actively re-releasing their old material on various media, as well as releasing test and instrumental recordings, publishing them on the official website.