Although Fresh grew up a gothic rock/new wave junkie, a trip to the "boogie down" Bronx with his girlfriend (later his wife) in 1984 introduced him to the thriving N.Y.C. hip-hop scene. Instantly smitten, Fresh began collecting DJ tapes (Shep Pettibone, Jeff Mills, Frankie Bones, anything he could get his hands on) and, of course, records -- everything from Jonzun Crew and Newcleus to Liquid Liquid and Cerrone, Bill Withers and Cat Stevens -- and his collection has since grown to over 10,000 strong (making his side gigs as a DJ a bit easier). Fresh's first work behind the boards came via Bronx legends Boogie Down Productions, with Fred remixing a track for a B-side release (although good luck finding it, and Fred recommends you don't try!). From there, Freddy began piecing together a studio, collecting many of the ancient analog synths that give his records their distinct, almost studio-jam feel (he mixes all his tracks live). In 1992, after releasing debut singles on Nu Groove and Silvo Tancredis' Experimental imprint, Fresh established his first label, Analog, to release his own tracks. The label and its offshoots have since attracted such weighty names as Thomas Heckman, Tim Taylor, Cari Lekebusch, DJ Slip, the Bassbin Twins, and Biochip C. In 1995, Fresh inked a contract with noted German techno label Harthouse, and his second full-length, Accidentally Classic, was released by the label's U.K. arm in late 1996, with a Harthouse U.S. reissue following close behind. His third album, The Last True Family Man, followed on Harthouse Eye Q. Several singles and a mix album followed until the release of his next full-length, Music for Swingers in 2001. Additionally, Fresh has released records through Wisconsin-based acid stronghold Drop Bass Network, Labworks, and noted German electro label Electrecord. ~ Sean Cooper, Rovi