Jimmy Edgar, the Detroit local who now calls LA home is no stranger to Chicago house. Merely six hours from Chi-town, the legends that ruled this city stood atop a pedestal for young producers in Detroit and beyond.

The late Frankie Knuckles was a direct influence on a generation of producers and turntablists. Dubbed the ‘Founder Of House Music’ every bit of soul felt is today’s dance can be linked back to this innovator. In remembrance of his life, Jimmy give a rework of Frankie’s classic ‘Baby Wants To Ride’. Have a listen to the tune and take a look at what Jimmy has to say about Frankie’s influence.

It is with great honor that I am able to give this away. A tribute to one of my heroes, Frankie Knuckles.

The relationship between Detroit and Chicago, for me, has always been about connection. Any kind of rivalry is secluded and irrelevant, in my opinion.

Chicago is approximately a 6 hour drive from Detroit, so, growing up we would frequent parties, back and forth. On any weekend in Detroit, we could meet people from Chicago who wanted to experience our small scene in Detroit.

Whereas Detroit had a much more distant, cold feeling while still trying to retain human elements, Chicago house music always appealed to me because it seemed like the softer, soulful version of Techno. I was drawn to the organ chords and the jacking indigenous rhythms of 808s. Growing up with Detroit radio, we were exposed to funk music and a lot of R&B. Some of the first records I bought were Change “Change of Heart” and Frankie Knuckles presents Jamie Principle “Your Love”, both artworks and music having very geometric, mechanical feeling, yet airbrushed and fun vibes.

Frankie Knuckles was the most pivotal figure in this movement, for me. The first time I had heard “Baby Wants To Ride”, it really moved me. The way the dot matrix synths moved in seemingly Euclidian patterns, the bounce and slight swing of that bass line, and the way the dissonant chords tied it all together. One listen and you can see where I drew all my inspiration from when making my tune from 2006, “Hot, Raw, Sex”. Let’s just say that record would have been a lot different without Frankie K.

“Tears”, “Rain Falls”, and “Your Love” among some of the best tracks I found on vinyl in Chicago. A few of them so popular you could find them at Salvation Army.

What else can I say about Frankie that hasn’t been said this week? With this track, we celebrate his life, his kindness, his love for music, his inspiration, his passion and all that he gave during his life.

Thank you Frankie,

Jimmy Edgar