Back To Mine With John Rocca (Freeez)

Best known for their iconic 1983 global smash ‘IOU’ (produced by Arthur Baker and mixed with Jellybean Benitez), which reached No. 2 in the UK and No.1 in Dance charts in the US and all over the world. The legendary Freeez, aka John Rocca, were originally a pioneering British jazz-funk group that John formed in London in 1980, with Peter Maas, Andy Stennett and Paul Morgan. A live band from the vibrant Brit Funk scene, Mariposa, was one of the much-loved tracks from John’s self-produced and self-released Brit Funk album ‘Southern Freeez’. The title track itself a No. 1 Dance and crossover pop hit in 1981. As his much loved single ‘Mariposa’ gets a tasty disco make-over by Mannix on Dafia Records this month, DMCWorld goes Back To Mine with the legendary John Rocca (Freeez).

björk – All is Full Of Love

Come in out of the modern world. Escape the microwaves through mirroring electronic notes, but… that build, flood and submerge the outside in melodic message… You are welcome, love is here.

Marvin Gaye – Flying High (in a friendly sky), Save the Children and Mercy, Mercy Me (the ecology).

The world calls, wants to break back in. Pain, desperation, escape. But acknowledgement and acceptance?  Its ok, let it be. Let the senses taste life, in all its jagged forms…

Sol Seppy – Enter One

Now let go. Together.  Here, we are at peace.

Ronnie Laws – Thoughts and Memories

Come back to presence, breathe…  allow a beautiful clarity to rise up from deep inside you through melodies made of human touch.  Close your eyes and feel the pulse within as the music plays, we are truly alive.

Tanerelle – Nothing Without You

Find your place here, your own love, whatever that means to you. Hold it within. The love of yourself.  Let the delicate sounds envelope you. The strings, the dancing piano, like arms holding you so softly.  It is you.

Kool & The Gang – Wild and Peaceful

Something to head home to, fall asleep to, or just stay on and relax into a deeper chill. I found this 1973 Kool & the Gang gem in a tiny record shop in Haringey high street, probably in 1975, when I was a wide eyed fifteen year old. Traversing the hidden corners of London on solo adventures to find the few tiny soul, reggae and funk record shops. I bought the 1976 Marvin Gaye ‘I Want You’ album when I was around 16, from a little shop inside Bounds Green Tube station. Cherished vinyl, needles gently placed, the analogue crackle, on home made speakers, stereo sounds feeding my very heartbeat, and, becoming part of me forever.

So many diamonds… the start of so many adventures, then, and now.

Donny Hathaway – Someday We’ll All Be Free

“Hang onto the world as it spins, around.

Just don’t let the spin get you down.

Things are moving fast.

Hold on tight and you will last.

Keep your self-respect your manly pride.

Get yourself in gear,

Keep your stride.

Never mind your fears.

Brighter days will soon be here.

Take it from me someday we’ll all be free

Keep on walking tall, hold you head up high.

Lay your dreams right up to the sky.

Sing your greatest song.

And you’ll keep, going, going on.

Just wait and see someday we’ll all be free.

Take it from me, someday we’ll all be free.”

Fennesz & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Haru

Good night.

Freeez ‘Mariposa’ (Mannix Remixes) are out now on Traxsource promo / Full release May 8th 2026 on Dafia Records. 

https://www.traxsource.com/track/14549855/mariposa-mannix-12-inch-disco-remix