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7.4.15 00:34 
Just over one year ago, we lost Frankie Knuckles. This one still hits me pretty hard as Frankie was one of the first artists to help coax me out of my comfort zone - which was really a terribly restrictive box - of shifting my listening patterns from whatever was on the "Hot Rock 102" and "Stereo 104" playlists (supplemented by whatever my "new waver" friends would share with me) into the Chicago sound, the Detroit sound and the [not necessarily electronic!] dance music I still try to regularly listen to in all its shapeshifting forms today.

Because, thankfully, his influence ranged worldwide and far beyond one shy kid shuttling between Modesto and Riverside, and because he is still dearly missed by so many who called him a godfather of their music, as a celebration of his life, over the weekend BBC1 devoted their weekly two hour "Essential Mix" show to two previously unbroadcast mixes of Frankie's. Although both were laid down in 2011, they could just as easily have been last week, or 20 years ago - don't take this as an indictment or proof that "all house music sounds the same," but rather as evidence that Frankie was such a skilled artist, producer, DJ and curator that the message, feelings and vibes in his selections were, are and remain timeless.

Even if you don't think it's your thing, I would encourage you to give one or two hours over to the BBC iPlayer and experience "Your Love," "The Whistle Song" and all the Frankie Knuckles juju that can't help but make you feel better. This link will be active for about 30 days, and will live on via other communities forever. He was only 59. I still miss him. RIP Frankie.
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