Various Artists - Frankie Knuckles pres. Trax Classics

(Central Station/MRA)

Celebrating a small part of what DJ and producer Frankie Knuckles has contributed to house music and in this case for ‘Trax Records’, comes the glorious ‘Frankie Knuckles Presents Trax Classix’.

Founded in the early eighties, Trax Records was the original home of house music. Renowned for their use of soaring vocal hooks, driving disco beats and high production standards it has, and continues to enlist the talents of Joey Beltram, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Marshall Jefferson, Mr. Fingers, Fast Eddie and Robert Armani. Brimming with passion, energy and soulful goodness, this album features a series of genre defining classics that haven’t lost an ounce of their star status. Expect to hear irresistible productions from ‘The Nightwriters’, ‘Marshall Jefferson’, ‘Kevin Irving’, ‘Screamin’ Rachael’ and ‘Dezz’.

For me, picks include ‘Waiting On My Angel’, featuring vocalist ‘Jamie Principle’ this track was to become somewhat a template for the deep house sound and lets not forget what a whole lot of good it did for Jamie’s career. Without doubt two of the greatest ever pieces of vocal house, I speak of none other than ‘Your Love’ and its flip side at the time ‘Baby Wants to Ride’, absolute heaven. Then for classic Chicago house you simply cannot go past ‘It’s a Cold World’, an unforgettable house sensation that was produced by both Knuckles and Byron Walton.

There have been many “Classic” albums from Frankie Knuckles. Not surprising when you take a look at the exhaustive amount of fine work he has produced over the years, so if house is what you are after, you have come to the right place.