Two previously unheard Frankie Knuckles DJ sets have been digitised from the late legend’s personal archive, offering an intimate look at the man who gave house music its name. The tapes, dating from 1989 and 1996, were preserved in Knuckles’ private collection and made available through the Frankie Knuckles Foundation for Resident Advisor’s RA.1000 series.
When Knuckles passed away in 2014, he left behind more than just his canonical recordings. Among his possessions were batches of private cassettes with hand-drawn liner notes, personal mixes he’d created for friends and family. These two tapes capture the Godfather of House at different stages of his evolution, revealing what made his four-decade career so transformative.
Born in the Bronx but synonymous with Chicago, Knuckles built his reputation at the Warehouse, where his blend of Philly Soul, European disco, and stripped-back jams became so beloved that patrons called it “Warehouse music”—later shortened to house music. His approach wasn’t about technical prowess but mood mastery, an ability to establish atmosphere that kept clubbers coming back for decades.
The 1989 tape captures Knuckles during house music’s formative years, when DJ culture looked nothing like today’s scene. The 1996 recording shows his continued evolution as house music established itself across the globe.
Tracklist
Part I (1989):
- Tullio De Piscopo - Stop Bajon
- The Whatnauts - Help Is on the Way (Instrumental)
- Positive Force - We Got the Funk
- Tempest Trio - Do You Like The Way It Feels
- Adeva - Respect
- Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield - People Hold On (New Jersey Jazz Mix)
- Sparque - Let’s Go Dancin’
- ESG - Standing in Line
- Candido - Rock and Shuffle (Ah-Ha)
- Lil’ Louis & The World - French Kiss (Original Underground Mix)
Part II (1996):
- Swing 52 - The Joy You Bring (Feets-A-SWING’in Bee)
- Mariah Carey - Fantasy (Sweet Dub Mix)
- C+C Music Factory - I’ll Always Be Around (The C+C House Mix)
- Soul II Soul - I Care (Soul II Soul) (Nu Soul Klub)
- Limelife AKA Todd Terry - Baby Can You Reach
- Angel Moraes - Time To Get Down! (“Get It On” Mix)
- The Daou - Surrender Yourself (Factory Reprise)
- Unit 46 - Good Inside (The Dope Edit)
