Freestyle group is one of the most famous musical groups of the era of “Soviet pop music”. The ensemble was remembered for the listeners thanks to the bright melody, special style and pronounced charisma of the participants, who always performed their songs without a soundtrack. The first composition of the Freestyle group was marked by many music prizes and awards of both the USSR and modern Russia.
Group Creation History
Freestyle Group was formed in the fall of 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.
In such a composition, he recorded the debut album “Receive”, which was mixed by the legendary sound engineer Leonid Sorokin.
Immediately after completing the recording of the album, the group begins to actively prepare for concert activity, in connection with which drummer Alexander Nalyvaiko and vocalist Anatoly Stolbov were accepted into the Freestyle group.
The recorded material was sent to the label "Sound", located in Moscow and engaged in the production and distribution of pop artists of the "new wave" in the USSR.
Popularity
In the years 80-90, the Freestyle group released a number of tape recordings that diverged in huge numbers across the country. The band members did not expect such a success, and in 1991, in the wake of the popularity of magnetic tapes, two compilations compiled by Melody on vinyl records were compiled.
The official publication of Freestyle music not only strengthened the success among the fans of the group, 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 set aside free time to record new songs in the tour schedule.
The main difference between Freestyle and almost all the pop groups of the USSR was its incredible ability to work. The group worked to the limit, carefully working out every detail in the compositions, several times rewriting one or another vocal part. A similar 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 the following 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 with such legendary Soviet groups as Laskovy May and Mirage, which led to strong competition, which Anatoly Rozanov’s team successfully stood for many years thanks to its diverse repertoire, and also live performance of all the songs at concerts. “Mirage” and “Tender May” in many ways lost to “Freestyle” due to the lack of live instruments on the record, as well as due to the constant work under the phonogram.
Freestyle gave concerts less often. however, during each of them, a real, carefully prepared show took place, which included dance elements, special lighting (imported color music systems were used). Pyrotechnics was also actively used.
Beginning of 2000
After the departure of Sergey Dubrovin, the group decides to record vocals on their own. A keyboard player of the project Sergey Kuznetsov, who has a pleasant baritone, is invited to the microphone stand.
In the period from 2000 to 2010, the group is engaged in the restoration and strengthening of its former popularity. Compilations with old songs are actively published, musicians are working on new works and arrangements for old compositions. Concert programs include new songs, musical sketches. The composition of the Freestyle group is actively experimenting with sound, as well as conducting long tours with the stars of Russian show business.
During this time, Freestyle managed to work with Kristina Orbakaite, Valery Leontyev, 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 music charts and charts.
Modernity
At present, the Freestyle group has been awarded numerous prizes of the USSR, Russia, and also the CIS countries. The team performs at prestigious international music festivals, such as Golden Barrel, Songs of the Sea, Disco of the USSR, Disco of the 1980s, Disco of the 1990s, Mirage - 18 Years, Idols 1990- x "and" Songs of the 1990s. "
The group also took part in various concerts and performances, which were later shown on TV: “Meeting place - INTER”, “Benefis Nicolo”, “Folk-music”, “Our song”, “Shlyager-parade”, “Jan Tabachnik” and "I have the honor to invite." The team actively participated in the filming of television shows for television channels in Russia and the CIS countries.
In 2009, the composition of the Freestyle group celebrated twenty years of creative activity on a large scale by organizing a large-scale tour in the cities of Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary.
Studio "Studio Freestyle"
On February 16, 2012, the Freestyle group opened a recording studio in its hometown of Poltava, called Studio Freestyle. Leading music experts from not only Russia and Ukraine, but also from Germany, France and Belgium were invited to the opening and test recording. Based on the comments of many of them, the studio was recognized as the “world of sound recording,” a project that meets all the standards and criteria of the European record business.
Solo careers of participants
In 1992, the group left the legendary vocalist Vadim Kazachenko. On the cover of the single "It Hurts Me, It Hurts," he was no longer listed. His name was written next to the name of the group, which showed his secondary role in recording the song. 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 for a long time in the composition of the group, however, recorded with her a super hit "Ah, what a woman." In 2001, Sergey decided to pursue a solo career and moved to Germany.
GROUP DISCOGRAPHY
The album names of the group are pretty monotonous. Since during the creation of the group no one believed in its members, the first album was called “Get it!” The next three albums were named after the first.
This list contains the number albums of the Freestyle group, 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 - The Tormented Heart
1995 - "Oh, what a woman!"
1997 - Viburnum is Blooming
Since 2001, the group has been actively republishing its old material on various media, as well as issuing trial and instrumental records, publishing them on the official website.