Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan were part of the spirit that made house music, and now their classic remixes return on vinyl. The release symbolises a moment in time with four tracks, eight artists, and a possible blueprint for dance music before the world knew what it was. Generally referred to as garage, house or loft music in the ‘80s, they both helped shape the sound from its roots.
Larry, resident DJ at Paradise Garage, New York, Frankie at The Continental Baths in New York and later at The Warehouse in Chicago, both prolific remixers and some of the first career DJs. Two close friends.
Countless genres and one feeling. It’s hard to imagine that the other artists on this release could be equally as influential. Syreeta Wright first worked at Motown before spending decades singing and writing songs with Stevie Wonder.
Gwen Guthrie began playing piano at 8, sang with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Madonna, wrote songs for the likes of Ben E. King and Roberta Flack, and was known as ‘The First Lady of The Paradise Garage’ during the heyday of the club.
Adeva began work with Frankie Knuckles after already going platinum on her debut album, featuring a hit house remix of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’. This is all before mentioning Womack and Womack, who moved bodies and souls from ‘Teardrops’ on the dancefloor, to family-rooted gospel and soul foundations.
Using the world’s largest archive at Universal Music, Re:versal Records have dug through over 100,000 releases, sourced original DAT tape masters, found rare remixes and curated a refined collection of defining dance and electronic music.
It’s out 14 August.
© justaweemusicblog.com
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