[MP3] R.I.P. Frankie Knuckles, The Godfather of House Music (1955-2014)

When this news came through late Monday night, I was hoping against hope that it was just a bad April Fool’s joke. Wishing that it were but sadly learning that it was not.

Frankie Knuckles was and will forever be a towering legend in not just dance music, but music as a whole, deserving much of the credit for creating what we now know as House music. This is an absolute tragedy. He will be missed.

In tribute here are some tracks that span the arc of his fantastic career: first the seminal house anthem, “Tears” produced with Satoshi Tomiie and featuring the inimitable Robert Owens from 1989, his 1995 remix of Michael Jackson‘s “Rock With You” and from more recently, his remix of Hercules & Love Affair‘s “Blind”, produced at a time (2007) when he thought he was ‘washed up’ and out of fashion in House and EDM circles. The fact that a buzz act like H&LA would chase Knuckles down to remix their music just about says it all as far as his stature, respect and legacy in the game even if he didn’t feel it any more. “So many tears…” is what many of us will be shedding because of this tremendous loss. R.I.P. Frankie….

For more, including some incredible DJ mixes by Frankie Knuckles, go to the Different Kitchen Tumblr page.

[MP3] Abstract Random – Black Helicopter

New music by this 88 Days-affiliate. IMHO, RIYL M.I.A.….

Previously on The Kitchen:

– Abstract Random – Talk a Lotta Sh-t [MP3]

[MP3] Bro Safari & UFO – Tracers (ETC!ETC! Remix feat. Far East Movement )

Another anthemic one after that Future banger just posted. For those not knowing, this is ETC!ETC! of iHome Mad Decent Block Party Official Mixtape fame. That main sound effect (see the opening of the track and the 5:17 mark for reference) is from a film, right?? I just can`t remember which one though (anyone??)…. [update: I think I figured it out: World War Z]

[MP3] Soul – Only One (Joe Kay’s Slowed Sade Edit)

One last one for the weekend. This soultastic take on chopping and screwing a track (in this case Sade‘s “Sally”) is a perfect way to end to a Sunday evening.

[MP3] Listen to Two Tracks from The Rulez’ – It Is What You Make It

Toronto rapper/producer, Don Cash has re-branded himself as The Rulez and come up with a winner in this It Is What You Make It album. Vibey instrumental beat music, this is recommended for those of you into chill out, left-field/experimental beat and trip hop vibes. He also has a couple vocally-based full-legnth projects that have dropped recently too but for my money, this is the one you need to be paying attention to. Thoughts from the peanut gallery though??

Previously on The Kitchen:

– Don Cash – City (Deluxe Edition) [FULL Album Stream]

– Don Cash – Poolhalls [Music Video]

– Don Cash – Juice [Music Video]