Frankie Knuckles' birthday honoured with special release

Five years after his passing, Frankie Knuckles’ birthday is being commemorated with a special release of ‘Baby Want To Ride’ with exclusive reworks.

It will be available on vinyl from February 1 and digitally on February 15 on SoSure Music.

Long-time co-writer Eric Kupper worked with Knuckles to create Directors Cut, a partnership formed to release their collaborative tracks and reworks.

This edition of ‘Baby Wants To Ride’ features a ‘Re-Directed’ version that was adapted to fit more recent times with re-recorded vocals from original vocalist Jamie Principal.

“Frankie and I wanted to retain the flavour of the original version, but with a more modern sonic approach, as well as some updated topical lyrics provided by Jamie,” Kupper said.

The release also includes an edit from Jimmy Edgar, exclusively available on vinyl.

Fifty per cent of the profits from this release will go towards The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, which aims to champion causes Frankie was passionate about, including music in schools, LGBTQ youth homelessness, AIDS research and prevention and diabetes research and education.

Today would have been Frankie Knuckles’ 64^th birthday. A Directors Cut compilation album lands in the spring.

Isobel Moloney is a freelance journalist, follow her on Twitter