This Item Is An Album Download.

Released in conjunction with the highly influential Swedish label, Raw Fusion, Tru Thoughts present the debut album by Freddie Cruger, aka Red Astaire.

Already a firm favourite with the likes of Jazzy Jeff, Norman Jay, Bobbito, Gilles Peterson and Erykah Badu this remarkable producer has been bangin’ out platters of black gold from his Stockholm studios since the early 90s.

Forever switching between his Freddie Cruger and Red Astaire alter egos, a barrage of top quality 12s have made both names a permanent fixture in DJ boxes across the globe.

'Soul Search' collects thirteen nuggets of old-school hip hop, b-boy grooves, dirty funk, reggae, soul, Latin and disco – some of which have evolved from beats and melodies Freddie began working on way back in 1988!

Inspired by the electro, rap, disco and funk 12s which first captured his attention in the mid-80s, Freddie's first ever longplayer has all the depth and originality of a future classic.

'Soul Search' features guest appearances by fellow Swedes Linn and MC ADL, Jamaica's Desmond Foster and American counterparts Swingfly, Rapadon, Anthony David and Cee-Rock – all of whom lend their considerable talent to the proceedings.

If the name Red Astaire sounds familiar, it's probably down to 'Follow Me' – Freddie's notorious 12" release on the GAMM imprint. Incorporating the a-cappella of a well-known soul tune, 'Follow Me' was a hook-laden, crowd-pleasing mash-up which went down a treat with DJs, tastemakers and partygoers worldwide.

'Soul Search' marks the next step in the Swedish producer’s ascent from bedroom beatsmith to fully-fledged artist. Together, he and his co-conspirators have pioneered an irresistible exploration of 21st Century soul music that could easily have come straight from one of the five boroughs, never mind Stockholm.