Frankie Knuckles - It's Hard Sometimes 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 52

Produced by Frankie Knuckles & John Poppo. Written and performed by Frankie along with Danny Madden & Satoshi Tomiie and featuring the wonderful vocal talent of Shelton Becton. It's Hard Sometimes, if I remember correctly, was the introduction to Frankie Knuckles forthcoming album, Beyond The Mix, and boy, did it get a fond welcome. I personally thought it was his best for awhile, until he released Rain Falls.

The beauty of the David Morales Classic Club Mix is in the speed. Slow and soulful with a painfully slow but irresistible House groove. It also features the most gorgeous piano solo, probably played bt Satoshi Tomiie although Eric Kupper, Terry Burrus & Peter 'Ski' Schwartz are also credited but not 'who done what'? The Alternate 12" Mix is more what you would expect, riding on a mid tempo groove but leaving out the piano. I have no idea why it fades with only a minute left. It seems totally pointless but doesn't spoil the listening experience much. If you like to mix with long overlaps then you'll want the 8:02, no fade, version.

• D.M. Classic Radio
• D.M. Classic Club Mix
• Alternate 12" Mix (Fade)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Hard Sometimes CDS.rar Filesize: 26.56 MB

Frankie Knuckles - Rain Falls 1991

Virgin Records VUSCD 60

Frankie Knuckles other productions from this period seem to get much more attention but Rain Falls is one of his best for me. Taken from the album Beyond The Mix, this is a classic that got lost in the shadows cast by it's siblings. It features vocals by Lisa Michaelis and music by Satoshi Tomiie and the cherry on top is backing vocals provided by Danny Madden (on the Morales Mix) and Moisture. This is more than just another Def Mix Classic.

As the 90's settled in so the record companies urged and manipulated the market to encourage the record buying public to become the CD buying public. If we ignore the vinyl sycophants and look at it logically, it was a good idea. Unfortunately there were many downsides, one of which was the time restrictions to qualify for pop chart inclusion. This led to the major labels insisting that radio edits be included and leaving out the full length versions? In this instance I was deprived of some great mixes including David Morales awesome 10 minute epic, the Soakin' Wet Mix. If anybody has it, I would love a copy. In their place, we are provided with Workout featuring the vocal talents of Roberta Gilliam. Ms. Gilliam sang a slow groove classic back in the 80's called All I Want Is My Baby and she has a fine voice. You would imagine that the combination of a House Music Legend and a Voice from the heavens would result in the stuff that anthems are made of but.... not this time?

• Rain Falls (Wet Radio Mix)
• Rain Falls (Frankie's Original Version)
• Workout (1992 Vocal Mix)
• Workout (Eric Kupper Vocal Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Rain Falls CDS.rar Filesize: 32.55MB

The Chimes - True Love 1990

CBS Records CHIM T2

I heard a superb remix of Stronger Together and when this got released I thought I had found it. I was totally gutted to find that this is a Morales Dub Club groove that has very little in common with the original.

Then I played the True Love mixes and suddenly, the world was a nicer place. Two gorgeous mixes, both equally addictive but I think that the Extended Version is better listening whereas the Louie Louie Remix, having that baaad bass line, is better for the floor.

• True Love (Extended Version)
• True Love (Louie Louie Remix)
• Stronger Together (Red Zone Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Chimes 12.rar Filesize: 33.5 MB