Freddy Loco And The Gordo's Ska Band

We could call this band ?Crossroads? because it's really a mix off many influences and friendship around Ska and Rock-Steady music. A locolites family? All began with Fred. At the young age of eight, Fred Rafhay watched his grandfather playing the trumpet and instantly became inspired. Driven by his innate passion for music and the desire to emulate his grandfather, Fred went to music school to master the trumpet.

All began with Fred. At the young age of eight, Fred Rafhay watched his grandfather playing the trumpet and instantly became inspired. Driven by his innate passion for music and the desire to emulate his grandfather, Fred went to music school to master the trumpet. He found that it would be two years before he could actually play music, so he became discouraged and left. Years passed and he made his career as a Professional Boxer, but still his mind remained distracted by the soul of the trumpet. So in 2002 with Manu, a real friend for ages, they made they first steps. Playing and playing?

Manu is a self-made man in music. Open mind and eclectic he's working around music and Theatre with the same talent. His passion for reggae started when he was a teenager and he never moved from it! A real Hammond lover and fan of Jackie Mitoo.

The same year, during a live performance of The Skatalites, Fred found himself close to the stage, face to face with Kevin ?KB? Batchelor, his musical icon. KB's performance energized Fred and he studied each skillful movement, knowing he, too, would master the trumpet. At that point they became aware that music was the essence off their life. Months later, at yet another Skatalites performance, Kevin ?KB' Batchelor pulled Fred onto the stage realizing one of Fred's greatest dreams- performing with The Skatalites

Finally they met Gontran with his bass and Laurent the drummer. They never separate until today and build a strong friendship. This is the foundations of their music. Laurent is probably born with a sticks drum in his hands! Since the age of six, he's playing everywhere around. Marching band, school? He just discovered Ska with fred. And he's now really in love whit it! Bobo has a similar story and they was often together before they joined Fred and Manu.

In 2003 Fred made a meeting, looked for a singer, second brass, and pave the way of their first band called Magwal? Freedom, fusing the sounds of Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, and Afro-Beat. In the Spring of 2004, they produced their debut CD, Arretez Vos Machines, right out of his home studio, using state-of-the-art equipment.

From 2004 to 2006 they made more than 100 shows around Belgium and France. 2006 with this strong first experience Fred decided with Laurent to create a project known as ?Freddy Loco,' which is dedicated to the traditional Brass sounds of Ska & Rocksteady. Remy on sax and Art?missia on trombone joined us. And finally Lin on vocals.

Another turning point is the meeting between Fred and Nicolas L?onard from the moon invaders. Nicolas became the producer and they started to work on the first album of Freddy loco, due out in 12 september 2007, with Sidney Mills (Steel Pulse.) on the mix in NYC. Kevin Batchelor also came on the project to make us a real favour with some wonderful trumpet chorus.

2008 was a successful year of touring in Benelux. (Around 50 dates)
They can be seen performing everywhere around Belgium and France also with New York's very own, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Kevin Batchelor, Cedric ?I'm? Brooks, The Skatalites, Rotterdam Ska Jazz Foundation, Dom N'toumos,The Caroloregians...

They are now working on the next album with Nicolas L?onard, due out around april 2009, with some great guest... Surprise!
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FREDDY LOCO AND THE GORDO'S SKA BAND

We could call this band ?Crossroads? because it's really a mix off many influences and friendship around Ska and Rock-Steady music. A locolites family?

All began with Fred. At the young age of eight, Fred Rafhay watched his grandfather playing the trumpet and instantly became inspired. Driven by his innate passion for music and the desire to emulate his grandfather, Fred went to music school to master the trumpet. He found that it would be two years before... (read more)