DESCRIPTION:
Freekbass performing live at REDSFEST at Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, OH. Video directed by Russ Jenisch, live sound by Alex Lusht/Mind Ignition, mixed by David Storm


Freekbass has collaborated with funk legend, Bootsy Collins, for several projects, the most recent being Freekbass', The Air Is Fresher Underground, released in late October, 2003. Underground features guest appearances by Bootsy, Catfish Collins, Buckethead, Bernie Worrell and a few of the Woo Warriors, to name a few. This is Freekbass' second album to be executive produced by Bootsy, the first being Body Over Mind, Gemini/Bootzilla, 2001.

The whole Freekbass story, however, goes back to the very first "Bootsy" collaboration. In the mid '90's, Freekbass had co-founded the group "SHAG", a solid-roots funk band. During this time, he was introduced to Gary "Muggbone" Cooper, who asked Freekbass and SHAG guitarist, Chris Donnelly, to play on a compilation Jimi Hendrix tribute album for P-Vine Records, Japan. Coincidentally, the recording session was to take place at Bootzilla Rehab Studios, recording den of none other than Boosty Collins. Freekbass and his guitarist, both named "Chris", were immediately dubbed "Chris Bass" and "Chris Guitar" by Bootsy, in order to not get them confused. But it was when "Chris Bass" laid down his bass tracks that Bootsy called out: "Play that Freaky Bass, Baba!" ... Bootsy has called him Freekbass from that moment on ... It was the beginning of an inspirational and enduring friendship that continues today.

"Freekbass is the new spiritual warrior for the Funk", Bootsy says. "I'm not a big fan of playing with myself, although I have been accused of doing so in the past (smile) ... this is the feeling I get when touchin' bass with Freekbass."

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Freekbass was an only child who initially wanted to be a magician. He grew up glued to the television set, his mom influencing him with her obsession of "The King" and The Beatles. He later developed his own obsession for cartoon superheroes and comic books, relating to the underlying themes.

"I always dug how these superheroes had all these powers, yet were ultimately still an outcast in society", Freekbass recalls. "If I wasn't Superman for Halloween, I was Elvis, so that should tell you something."