An 80s Love Affair

Pink Rhythm was one of John Rocca’s mid-80’s solo side projects and a somewhat evolution of his pioneering early-80s band, Freeez.

After Freeez ended, John still had some ideas left over which he explored with Andy Stennett of Freeez. John also re-worked one of the final jazz funk songs written (but unused) by Freeez called "India". He named the project Pink Rhythm after his self-funded, entrepreneurial record label that he used to launch Freeez.

Pink Rhythm lasted a brief year or two, between 1984 and 1985. In 1985, three singles were released, including "Melodies of Love", which has become a cult favorite. It has been described as “timeless drum-machine soul music” and a “cult funk slow jam”.

Over the years, John Rocca’s music has been sampled by many, including Jamie xx, Empress Of, Brandy, Burial, Todd Terry, Coolio, Cut Chemist and more. Often credited as one of the pioneers of brit-funk, John’s music is iconic and has been used in TV/Movies like; Better Call Saul, Midsommar, Irma Vep plus the fashion world for brands including Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton and more. Melodies of Love - though never a pop hit - was recently been used the Joaquin Phoenix film Beau is Afraid as well as in the acclaimed British Film Blue Jean. It was also recently featured in a high-end ad campaign for Piaget.

An 80s Love Affair contains six classic Pink Rhythm tracks, four of which have not been available on vinyl since the original single releases in 1985. The tracks were originally produced and recorded at Miraval Studios in The South of France (made famous by George Michael with Careless Whisper). They were mixed by John in Rooster Studios London and remastered in 2024 by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road.

It is pure, smooth 80s drum machines, it is synth sounds, saxophones and keyboards…. it’s retro, but it could also be current. Either way, it’s as refreshing now as it was then.