This month has been dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Frankie Knuckles. I know for me, through any outlet, whether it's a live set in a boutique, or on the radio airwaves, Frankie has been getting my love and gratitude. I was thinking to myself about the last time I actually saw Frankie, which was at Deep Sugar in Baltimore. I can recall being in the booth, observing him work the crowded dance floor with his magic. Precious moments like these we tend to take for granted. I can recall heading home after the event and literally screaming because I forgot to take pictures with him...lol. I was so caught up in the moment of feeling the groove and helping with the event that I forgot, I guess assuming there would be other opportunities. I decided to post another tribute session presented via my Beat Nation radio show. This session was a turn-up because I featured a lot of my favorite bangers from the mind of Frankie Knuckles! Basically anything he touched, whether through a remix, edit, or original composition was fair game. Take a listen and check out the playlist!!
What can be said about the Godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles, that has not already been expressed? Well, from a personal standpoint, Frankie Knuckles represented the "top shelf" quality of production that injected so much energy into our House Culture. For starters, his spirit, ethic, and attention to intimate details, applied to every remix and production, inspired me as a DJ and producer. Any time I learned of a Frankie Knuckles remix treatment for a track, I was digging in the crates at the record store! The style of Frankie Knuckles and Def Mix Productions, stood alone and was, in most cases, easily recognizable. He had a way of transforming a song into a dance floor masterpiece, without losing its integrity. He always managed to keep some original element of the track, which would conjure a dramatic epiphany from the listener. Any artist blessed to have a track remixed by Frankie, in my book, was placed into an elite category.
There have been, and will continue to be, tributes to our beloved Frankie Knuckles. I wanted to briefly share a different perspective because it was Frankie that truly inspired me. From the days of jamming to his groove at The Sound Factory Bar to the countless mixes delivered to the NYC radio airwaves, it was all about Frankie Knuckles! If you ever experienced him live, you KNOW what I am talking about! During a recent conversation with a friend, we found ourselves almost speechless when we realized that our 20-plus year friendship originated from our mutual groove with Frankie Knuckles in the mix. So, technically he was our Godfather because he brought us together in friendship!
Episode 45 of the Beat Nation was dedicated to the legacy of Frankie Knuckles. Take a listen and reflect back to where you were when a particular track was current or on the airwaves. Tracks presented are some of my favorites, but limited to a two-hour time frame. Trust me there are more to share!
Thank you, Frankie Knuckles, for sharing your gifts with us. Knowing you was a blessing and your legacy will continue to inspire and unite the world on the dance floor! Enjoy.
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