Frankie Knuckles - His Greatest Hits from Trax

Compilations that have relied strictly on Frankie Knuckles' production and mixing efforts have surfaced in France (The Best Of Frankie Knuckles, released in 1999) and Japan (The Godfather Of House Music, released in 2000). This one is the first to become widely available in the States, due to Trax's revitalized state via the Casablanca label. Like those earlier comps, His Greatest Hits From Trax concentrates on the earlier phase of Knuckles' career, so there's no "Tears" or "Whistle Song," but there are several compulsory classics that shaped the sound of house music: the Jamie Principle-fronted "Your Love," "Baby Wants to Ride," and "Waiting on My Angel," as well as Marshall Jefferson's "Move Your Body," Dezz's "Boom Boom," and Kevin Irving's "Children of the Night." "Your Love," the giant of them all, is a watertight argument for house music's ability to move in the physical and emotional senses, dripping with heartache and desire, over a bed of chilling keyboard patterns that tremble and sigh. This track alone would be enough to make Knuckles and Principle legends. If you're just becoming familiar with Knuckles, you'd do well to seek his volume in Azuli's Choice: A Collection Of Classics series, which will clue you in to the man's DJ'ing prowess. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide