Free Design, The

Founded: 1966

Headquarters: New York, NY

Website Link(s): http://www.thefreedesign.com/

Label(s)

 * Project 3
 * Ambrotype
 * Marina
 * Varese
 * Siesta
 * Light in the Attic

Genre(s)

 * Pop
 * Chamber Pop
 * Sunshine Pop

RIYL

 * The Beach Boys
 * The Mamas & the Papas
 * The Zombies
 * The Association

Band Members

 * Christopher Dedrick
 * Ellen Dedrick
 * Sandra Dedrick
 * Bruce Dedrick

Band Biography
The Free Design was a vocal sunshine pop group from the latter half of the 60s that somehow when unnoticed. In the vein of the ambitious pop groups from that era like The Beach Boys and The Association, the group of singing siblings behind the direction of the elder Christopher Dedrick managed to release a number of albums through the independent Project 3 label. While the subject matter of a typical Free Design song is incredibly light and non-obtrusive, the music was stunningly georgous and unassumingly complex. This was partly thanks to the pop sensibilities of Christopher Dedrick and his sugary arrangements along with the fact that recording sessions always included some of New York's finest musicians. After three albums and only mediocre success, the group even tried a album direct towards kids before returning again to their more mature audience. Three more albums later, The Free Design disbanded in 1975 without a charting single or substantial selling record.

With a resurgence of attention in the late 90s, the group reunited to record 2001's Cosmic Peekaboo. Also, in 2005, Seattle's Light in the Attic records released a compilation album showcasing The Free Design's music remixed by some of today's most sought after producers and artists. It may be 30 years later, but The Free Design are finally getting the attention they deserve.

=Discography=

Albums

 * Kites are Fun 1967 (Project 3)
 * You Could Be Born Again 1968 (Project 3)
 * Heaven/Earth 1969 (Project 3)
 * Sing for Very Important People 1970 (Project 3)
 * Stars/Time/Bubbles/Love 1970 (Project 3)
 * One by One 1972 (Project 3)
 * There is a Song 1972 (Ambrotype)
 * Cosmic Peekaboo 2001 (Marina)

Compilations

 * Kites are Fun: The Best of the Free Design 1998 (Varese
 * Raindrops 1998 (Siesta)
 * Umbrellas 1999 (Siesta)
 * The Best of Free Design 2001 (Cherry Red)
 * The Now Sound Redesigned 2005 (Light in the Attic)

Mix CDs

 * Mix CD Title