Defected is pressing Frankie Knuckles' celebrated House Masters compilation on vinyl for the first time.
Shipping in May, Volume One and Volume Two both feature eight classic Knuckles tracks and remixes, including "Your Love," "The Whistle Song" and "Baby Wants To Ride" with Jamie Principle. The compilation was originally released in 2015 on CD and digital, though neither format is available now.
The release of the LPs will coincide with the late house legend's death, which took place around this time ten years ago. All proceeds will go towards The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, a nonprofit focused on music in schools, queer youth homelessness and AIDS and diabetes research and education.
"Back in 2013 we embarked on a journey with Frankie and his manager Judy Weinstein to release his very own volume of our House Masters compilation series," Defected Records wrote on Instagram. "Tragically and unexpectedly, Frankie passed away in 2014 and respectfully the project was put on hold. After some time, we reconnected with Judy and suggested we pick the project back up and announce its release on the first anniversary of Frankie's death."
Launched in 2008, House Masters was set up to honour seminal house artists. The upcoming Knuckles releases will be accompanied by a 40-page edition of Faith Magazine, dedicated to the Chicago icon's life and influence.
Listen to "Your Love" and Knuckles' RA Podcast from 2009.