The first independently distributed No.1 album in New Zealand and the country’s highest selling album of 2006 has finally and officially dropped in the US. Fat Freddy’s Drop not only was certified 7 times platinum on its home turf, but also made its mark by winning he Best Album award on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide BBC Radio 1 Awards and was awarded Best Live Show of 2005 by Radio Nova in France. The collective has appeared at esteemed festivals like the Sonar Festival in Spain, the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and played at the world-famous Brixton Academy in the UK. 2007 not only brings the release of their highly acclaimed debut album, but will also see their first U.S. tour and the release of their sophomore effort, which should be eagerly awaited once you familiarize yourself with the hi-tek soul of ‘Based On A True Story.’

The seven-piece band, which derives its name from Fat Freddy’s Cat, a character from US cult comic strip The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, fuses skanking urban Pacific roots, soul, dub, jazz and touches of electronic with hypnotic and thunderous grooves. Singer Joe Dukie’s lyrics are chocolate deep while his vocals, reminiscent of Bill Withers, silky smooth. Each musician is on top of their game having graduated from funk jam bands, reggae soundsystems, jazz improvisation cliques and live techno experiments. With its booty shaking three-piece horn section, the band has created an easy like Sunday morning listening experience as witnessed on the sweet reggae-flavored “Roady,” the future soul-tinged “Ray Ray,” and the meditative “Hope.” Take a listen because Fat Freddy’s Drops’ bouncing beats, bottom heavy bass lines and sublime sound samples are anything but a world’s apart from us.

"Roady" Music Video


"Wandering Eye" Music Video