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FRANKIE KNUCKLES CELEBRATED: ONE YEAR ON

A new comp and two previously unaired mixes to mark the occasion

It's a year ago since house music legend Frankie Knuckles passed away, and to mark the occasion there's going to be an Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1 this weekend (Saturday 4th April).

One mix was recorded live in London not long before Frankie's untimely passing, and the other is an unheard studio mix from 2011. The Essential Mix will be broadcast this Saturday between 4-6am, and be available on iPlayer for 28 days after.

Meanwhile, Defected have just announced a new comp in their acclaimed 'House Masters' series. In February 2014, Frankie started selecting a tracklist of productions he wanted to include on such a retrospective release. When he passed away on March 31st 2014, shortly after a gig at Ministry Of Sound in London, the project was shelved.

But now, with the creation of the Frankie Knuckles fund — established in partnership with the Elton John Aids Foundation — the release will see the light of day on April 26th on Defected, with all profits going to charity. There's also a limited edition commemorative t-shirt available from the Defected online store.

The contribution Frankie Knuckles made to house music is inestimable. “This is a great mixture of Frankie's work, it shows his spirit and love of artists. His artistry will always be at the forefront of dance music, and so will his energy,” said Sir Elton John himself.

Defected have also just released a fascinating video of Defected head honcho Simon Dunmore interviewing Frankie in 2011 about his illustrious career. See it here:

The tracklist for the House Masters release is as follows: 

CD1

01. Frankie Knuckles featuring Jamie Principle ‘Your Love’

02. Frankie Knuckles presents Satoshi Tomiie ‘Tears’ (Classic Vocal)

03. Frankie Knuckles ‘The Whistle Song’ (Sound Factory Mix)

04. Alison Limerick ‘Where Love Lives’ (Classic Mix)

05. Hercules & Love Affair ‘Blind’ (Frankie Knuckles Remix)

06. Frankie Knuckles featuring Roberta Gilliam ‘Workout’ (1992 Vocal Mix)

07. Frankie Knuckles with Jamie Principle ‘Baby Wants To Ride’

08. Andrea Mendez ‘Bring Me Love’ (Classic Frankie)

09. Frankie Knuckles ‎’Only The Strong Survive’ (Club Mix)

10. Frankie Knuckles ‘It's Hard Sometime’ (FK Classic Club)

11. Adeva ‘Beautiful Love’ (Extended)

CD 2

01. Inner City ‘Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'’ (Def Mix)

02. Sounds Of Blackness ‘The Pressure’ (Frankie Knuckles Classic Mix)

03. The Nightwriters ‘Let the Music Use You’ (Club Mix)

04. First Choice ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ (12" Frankie Knuckles Remix)

05. Frankie Knuckles ‎’Rain Falls’ (FK Original)

06. Rufus & Chaka Khan ‘Ain’t Nobody’ (Hallucinogenic Version)

07. Loose Ends ‘Hangin’ On A String’ (Frankie Knuckles Club Mix)

08. Frankie Knuckles featuring Adeva ‘Too Many Fish’ (Classic Frankie Version)

09. Lisa Stansfield ‘Change’ (Knuckles Mix)

10. Pet Shop Boys ‘Left To My Own Devices’ (Frankie Knuckles Royal Piano Version)

11. Frankie Knuckles presents Director's Cut featuring Jamie Principle ‘I’ll Take You There’ (Director’s Cut Classic Signature Mix)