The Godfather of house music!

Referred to by many as the "Godfather of House", Frankie Knuckles played an integral part in creating and poplarizing a sound that is still going strong today!!

Originally born in the Bronx and brought up through the New York disco scene, forming a great friendship with Larry Levan along the way, Frankie headed over to Chicago to become the DJ at the Warehouse.  Playing a mixture of music that included a more percussive disco sound, with added loops from drum machines, the crowd came to simply refer to it as “house music”.

Frankie then set up his own club called the Power Plant before eventually moving back to New York and forming part of the hugely influential and successful Def Mix team.  Producing numerous house classics over the years, there is not much this DJ/producer has not done, seen or been a part of, when it comes to house music.

Only a week ago, back on the 1^st April, the sudden and sad news of Frankie Knuckles’ passing spread across the dance community and the sheer volume of heartfelt messages of condolence have been nothing short of whelming!

Although Frankie toured the world tirelessly spreading the house sound, not all people that say they enjoy house music today have had a chance to witness this master at work, so must rely on the internet to find out about his history…  Here are some of the best bits that we have come across (mixes, interviews, videos, etc):

From Red Bull Music Academy, check out the excellent Frankie Knuckles - Journey to the Roots of House - click HERE for the 60 min radio show or view below for the lecture:

BBC Radio Essential Mix - Live from Pacha Ibiza in September 2000:

Interview with Beatport in 2012 - Link HERE!

The Def Mix website also provides some great reading and listening.  Check it out HERE!

BBC Radio - 6 Mix, Franckie Knuckles meets Dave Pearce for 2 hours of essential listening:

RIP Frankie... You will be missed!!

Dennis Ferrer - House Royalty...

“Right place, right time. It's an old cliché, but it's one that's been the definition of Dennis Ferrer's musical career. Just as the dance music world was heading into the world of afro-centric house, Ferrer was there. And then, when it began to embrace the mix of tech and soul, Ferrer was there again, leading the way with his impeccable productions. As Ferrer goes, it seems, so does electronic music. And, as someone who's never content to do the same thing twice, it's clear that he'll be staying on top for years to come.”

If that is the not the most note perfect introduction I have ever read, then I don’t know what is!  This guy is definitely part of the House Royalty…

His sound has managed to spread itself across the soulful and deep house scene and make it all the way through to tech house and techno floors!  There are numerous examples over the years of him creeping into the most popular genre of the time and yet still sounding effortlessly on point and timeless, whilst never moving too far from the "Ferrer" sound!

Dennis burst onto the global scene back in 2003 with the “Sandcastle” collaboration alongside Jerome Sydenham.  But that was not when he first started – releasing his first record 9 years previously, back in 1994!!

Initially releasing techno before moving onto a more gospel house sound, via a record label he set up with Kerri Chandler, Dennis then moved back to his roots before spreading the tech house love.

Over the years he has released on numerous labels including Defected, King Street Sounds, Ibadan Records and on his own label Objektivity.

Below are some of my favourite Dennis Ferrer releases over the last few years:

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His own productions are not the only thing that make this man stand out among all the house producers in this world.  When he steps behind the decks, you are guaranteed entertainment!!

He has an ability to play deep, yet still keep the mood pumping or play a real uplifting set full of vocals, yet not sound cheesy at any stage.  His choice of records will never let you down!  And you can tell his is really enjoying himself behind those 1s and 2s.

Check his Podcast for Resident Advisor:

There are numerous other reasons and examples of why I hold him in such high esteem but I won't bore you with all of them...  For any self respecting house head to ignore this producer/DJ from NY, along with the success and influence he has had on the dance scene, would be inexcusable!

If you don't agree, feel free to try and convince otherwise...

Disko Trooper xx