Fabric to commemorate 70th birthday of Frankie Knuckles with tribute event

London nightclub fabric is set to host a tribute event for the late Frankie Knuckles in 2025, commemorating what would have been his 70th birthday.

‘For Frankie’ will take place throughout the day on January 25, 2025, running from 2:PM until 10:PM at the Farringdon venue. As well as a celebration of the late DJ’s birthday, the event also marks 10 years since his tragic passing.

The party is set up by fabric and The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, a non-profit educational and cultural organisation described as a way to “advance Frankie’s mission as the global ambassador of house music through media, conservation, and public events”.

‘For Frankie’ features a line-up of some of Frankie Knuckles’ nearest and dearest, including his long-time production partner Eric Kupper, as well as friends including Tedd Patterson, CJ Mackintosh, Moplen, and Marcia Carr.

DJs set to perform on the night will fly into London from across the world, from New York to Chicago and Italy. A handful of special guests are still yet to be announced.

“I, along with the members of FKF, are thrilled and excited to celebrate this incredible occasion — honouring our beloved Frankie on his 70th heavenly birthday,” says CEO of The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, Frederick Dunson.

“This celebration stands as a true testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on the world. We are continually amazed by the overwhelming outpouring of love and admiration he still receives,” he adds.

Frankie Knuckles was widely regarded as the “godfather of house”, a founding father of the Chicago house scene through the ‘70s where he held down a residency at legendary venue The Warehouse.

All proceeds from fabric’s event will be donated to The Frankie Knuckles Foundation. Grab your tickets here, and check out the line-up below.

Back2House Radio, DJ MJ forging new Music relationships.

A Musical Match made in Heaven.

One of the best things to come out of the Music Scene in the US over the last number of years has been Music Mag DEEP HOUSE MUSIC MAGAZINE. 

Based in Baltimore, the Mag has featured such artists as  Jihad Muhammed,  Terry Hunter, Chicagos Chosen Few, CeCe Rogers and many many more. They also hold Music Awards and are a regular household name within the House Music Scene in the US.

In November 2024 Deep House Magazine featured Back2House Radio Co Creator DJ MJ with an eye opening 4 page interview. The aim of the Interview is not only to shine a light on her contribution to the scene but also to forge relationships between the Mag and B2H Radio as 2 formidabble brands within the Industries across the water from each other. 

The future will be bringing a great relationship and friendship between the 2 brands and we urge all House Music lovers from near and far to watch this space. 

​Music industry workers to lose a quarter of income to AI by 2028, study finds

Music industry workers are projected to lose close to a quarter of their income to AI by 2028, per the “first ever” global study on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music and audiovisual sector.

According to the study, revenues of those working in the industry will plummet due to AI over the next four years, with income for music creators predicted to decrease by 24%.

It also found that those working in the audiovisual sector will see an income shrink of 21% to artificial intelligence, while revenues of generative AI services in both music and audiovisuals are projected to grow from £3 billion to £64 billion by 2028.

s show that this amounts to a loss of €22 billion total – €10 billion in music and €12 billion in A/V – while the market for generative AI will grow “exponentially”.

Research around the impact of AI on the music sector was led by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), and represents over 5 million music and audiovisual creators around the world.

The study, which aims to “estimate the economic impact of generative AI on creators of music and audiovisual productions on a global level”, combines both “qualitative and quantitative” research.

“For creators of all kinds, from songwriters to film directors, screenwriters to film composers, AI has the power to unlock new and exciting opportunities,” says CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus.

“But we have to accept that, if badly regulated, generative AI also has the power to cause great damage to human creators, to their careers and livelihoods.”

AIAIAI share their “Worlds First Wireless Earphones” for the DJ Industry

Danish sound specialists AIAIAI this month announced what they claimed to be the “world’s first” wireless DJ headphones.

The TMA-2 DJ Wireless headphones utilise “ultra-low latency wireless technology,” according to AIAIAI, allowing for a “delay-free experience” for fine-tuned mixing.

Complete with a 25-hour battery life and high sound isolation, the manufacturer claims the TMA-2 DJ Wireless model is designed specifically for cable-free DJing. A box is connected to the headphone jack of the mixer, which transmits audio to the headphones with next to no time delay, unlike the commonly used wireless function of Bluetooth in which lag is a feature.

Frederik Jørgensen, Founder of AIAIAI, said: “With the TMA-2 DJ Wireless, we set out to create wireless DJ headphones that truly meet the demands of DJs. For years, wireless technology meant compromising on performance, but with our ultra-low latency wireless technology, we are finally able to deliver a solution that offers both freedom and precision. This is a game-changer for DJs looking to break free from cables.”

New Documentary to shine a light on the Record Store Culture and Black Music

An important Documentary is on its way.

Shining an important light on a subject that is close to many DJs, Music Lovers, Collectors and Music Artists alike, this Documentry / Film explores a fascinating history of Englands independant Record Stores that specialised in ‘Black Music’. Hearing from those who worked and shopped in them featuring Jazzie B, Simon Dunmore, Trevor Nelson, Wookie, DJ Spoony, Marcia Carr, DJ SS, DJ Rap, Jeff Smith, DJ MJ, Jezta and MANY MANY MORE. 

The Documentary has been filmed over a number of Months and is now finally ready to be premiered in London and Leicester in October 2024

Managed by 2FunkyArts and Produced by Simon ‘Schooly’ Phillips ( Currently of JAZZ FM) , a DJ, Presenter  and Music Industry figure that you will be hard pressed to find anyone that doesnt know at least one contribution to Music that he has made.

The Documentary entitled 

The Record Store & Black Music: Englands Taste Makers will be coming to screens near you VERY SOON. 

“The Way You Love Me” 
Ace Shyllon Featuring Hannah Khemoh

Another HUGE Track from Metronoyz and Ace Shyllon ( Metronoyz Curator)!

Born in 2017 Metronoyz started out as a concept to have a live House Music jam with drum machines keyboards & synths making music on the fly. With performances at the Trafik Bar London & Aqaurium in London, this little idea suddenly became much more than that.

The story continues with Metronoyz Records brought to you and curated by DJ & Producer Ace Shyllon. Metronoyz is about exploring the many realms of House music and is a fusion of Soulful, Deep & Afro influenced music.
Their ethos is to Salute House Music.

The Label has worked with some great artists from around the world including Missfly, Anaya Weathers, Ms Yazz Roar, Vibrant C, Ed Ramsey, DJ Atomm, Fitz Da Kat, Sean Ashby, Ricardo Martinez and a host of others which keeps on growing.

From regular plays on radio stations across the world ,the label is spreading House Music far & wide.

This time around they are excited to present the debut release of the super talented Hannah Khemoh on Metronoyz Records. 

With a phenomenal number of big hits to her name in the Soulful House world, Hannah Khemoh raises the bar even higher with this latest release with DJ & Producer Ace Shyllon, beautifully titled
“The Way You Love Me”.

Ace Shyllon has been making waves with his original tracks and remixes which are in high demand. A producer renowned for his versatile productions and sought after remixes, always bringing a fresh and exciting element to his releases. His ability to surprise his listeners with every track has earned him a global following.

Hannah’s career spans over nearly two decades and she has performed around the world doing what she loves and lives for. Bursting on to the scene in 2008 – she became a professional backing vocalist and has had the honour of working with musical icons like Grace Jones, Plan B & Florence & The Machine. Hannah is now a solo artist who has worked with some of the best producers on the planet including Louie Vega, Rhemi, Sean McCabe & Pat Bedeau.

This brand new collaboration has been on the cards for a while after Hannah performed live with Ace which showed their amazing synergy together. This eagerly awaited release will truly get many dance floors oozing with joy. The track is pumping from the get go and has got such an addictive funky bass line and coupled with Hannah’s amazing lyrics to take you on trip of life time. 

House music lovers around the world theyproudly present to you “The Way You Love Me”

CHECK OUT THE METRONOYZ LABEL HERE  

 Amsterdam Dance Event incoming

The countdown begins to one of the most anticipated and eagerly awaited Events in the Music Industry and Music Lovers calender – ADE 2024  kicks off from 16th – 20th October.

The Festival program is now complete with the addition of Anz, Bambounou, Ben Sims, DJ Nobu, Cera Khin, Dasha Rush, Kölsch, Luke Slater, Pete Tong, Sandrien and Sweely.

2024 sees ADE boasting a list of 3,000+ performing artists with more than 1,000 events in more than 200 venues over five days and nights.

From small intimate boutique parties in Bars, Record Stores and popup venues to glitzy and glamourous no expenses spared events. Electronic Music enthusiasts can also attend the many lectures, workshops, mini courses and stores that offer a plethora of informative gatherings to aid you in your quest should you choose. Whether you are a producer, DJ, Promoter, Artist Manager, Music brand owner or more…ADE has something to cover your passion and help you in your quest to reach your goals.

To find out all about ADE then check out the Official Website link under this image 

Official ADE Website

Ableton announces their new Standalone Instrument ‘MOVE’

A name that is synonymous with Music production, the German music software company Ableton, is releasing a standalone instrument.

Given the name ‘Move’ the neat looking Kit comes with 32 pressure-sensitive pads with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch, used to trigger a library of over 1,500 sounds.

Also integrated into the software is a 16-step sequencer and a speaker. The instrument links easily with Live, Ableton’s market-leading DAW.

‘Move’ uses nine encoders to control a filter, an envelope, various sound modulation parameters and a bank of eight FX.

It can sample audio via a line-in port or using an inbuilt mic. The workflow is arranged over four tracks that can be set up as pads, drums, a sampler or a range of other synth engines. A rechargeable battery gives the device four hours of power.

Abletons aim is to create a portable instrument that can be used to sketch out ideas, before importing them into Live for more in-depth arrangements.

Its WiFi-enablement allows you to transfer sets into your DAW without any cabling and can also act as a controller for Live, like a cut-down version of Ableton’s Push devices.

Many of Move’s sounds will be familiar to Live users, though others are bespoke to the Move instrument, created through collaborations with artists including BNYX, DECAP, L.Dre and SoundOracle. The look and feel of the machine, the colours and the layout of the drum racks all closely match Live, and the workflow is designed to allow users to rapidly get creative.

Move is priced at $449, €449, £399. 

New Frankie Knuckles Murel unvailed in Chicago

 A new mural was unveiled in Chicago on 28th September to pay tribute to the ‘GodFather of House’ Frankie Knuckles.

The Murel entitled Under One Roof can be found at the Uptown branch of the Chicago Public Library. 

Max Sansing who is the artist on the creation unveiled the murel where members of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation were present at the opening.

Not only does the Artwork pay homage to Knuckles, it is also a tribute to the iconic Chicago house label Gherkin Records. The Venue to which used to be located across the road from the library where the Murel now resides.

Max Sansing also wanted his Murel to be a celebration of the culture and diversity of the local neighbourhoods, Uptown and Buena Park.

The mural was commissioned by the Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and follows a previous incident in 2023 which saw a past Frankie Knuckles Mural defaced by paint.

Frankie was from New York and is a name that has become legendary with house music and its creation.

Knuckles was resident DJ at the seminal Chicago nightclub and The Warehouse, and was instrumental in pioneering a new style of DJing that paved the way for the first ever house tracks to be put to record. Along with the likes of Larry Heard, Ron Trent, and Lil Louis he released music via the Chicago imprint Gherkin Records. 

Opening its doors in 1987 and closing in 1991, the label left an indelible mark on the history of dance music in just four short years – a testament to its prestigious roster of producers and successful output of music.

Check out an Unreleased Frankie Knuckles Mix here. Recorded Valentines Day 1986

Danny J Lewis celebrates a whopping 30 years of Music Releases

DANNY J LEWIS  brings Album

‘ LIFE BACK THEN ‘

To celebrate an incredible thirty years of music releases, Danny J Lewis goes back to his 90s roots with a collection of five brand new tracks released across five weeks, exclusively available in extended format on Traxsource.com. Album art features a unique 90s arcade game aesthetic and an accompanying story video showing Danny using a Time Machine to travel back to his favourite decade. Each track has been created with love, using authentic production approaches that echo the methods Danny used back in the day on those early vinyl releases. Every track in the collection brings its own perspective on the sound, ranging from deep to peaktime to emotive and soulful. Danny was one of a handful of UK producers making this sound in those early days alongside esteemed peers such as Ricky Morrison, Booker T, Joey Musaphia and Grant Nelson and has taken a reflective look back on his younger self:

“I’ve tried to forget about modern techniques and plugins and put my mind and spirit back into that 24 year old version of me. The young Danny in 1994 was so damn passionate and excited about making music but also quite innocent/naive and rather lacking in technical skills so I’ve taken that mindset and essentially rebooted myself with this collection but kept the learnt technical skills to keep the audio quality high”

In coming weeks, all five tracks in radio edit form will become a complete album for listening to on streaming services. All tracks are written, produced, mixed and mastered by Danny J Lewis for Just Underground Recordings.

Traxsource Links:

Listen to and Order LOVE AND DEVOTION Here

Listen to and Order REFLECTIONS Here

Listen to and Order YOUR HEART Here

Listen to and Order GET UP Here

Listen to and Order LIFE BACK THEN Here (live on Monday 19th August)

Pioneer Celebrates 30 Years of the  much loved ( and sometimes hated) CDJ

Pioneer DJ has announced a new limited-edition Mag to celebrate the 30th birthday of their CDJ.

The Collectable ‘ Zine’ called Deckades ( See what they did there), has a run of 1,000 print copies that are being shared on a first come, first serve basis, and charts the history  of the famous CDJ, from its origins as the CDJ-500 through USB, MP3s, touchscreen and so on.

It also includes interviews with Fatboy Slim, Fabio to name but a few and outlines the specs and details of all CDJ models ( 23 in total) from the original in 1994 to the current  model, the CDJ-3000 which is sometimes loved and sometimes loathed by DJs.

DJs and fans who want to get their hands on the print version of deckades will need to be quick with them being distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

You can order a digital copy here ORDER DIGITAL COPY

Dennis Ferrers New Label Thrift Shoppe is anything BUT Thrifty

Dennis Ferrer announces the launch of brand-new imprint Thrift shoppe working alongside Defected to bring the NYC Label to a World Wide Audience. 

Ferrers intention is to interupt and disrupt the contemporary musical landscape by  making sure he authentics craftsmanship of “luxury, one-of-a-kind sonic treasures.”  Thriftshoppe sets out to re-introduce the world to the magic of slow burners and future classics instead of those throw away, no emotion tracks that take little time to make and you cant tell one from the other. In contrast, those tracks that are Over Produced and are made for instant gratification are also on Dennis’ Radar for disruption. 

The First release on the New label will be from NASSER BAKER entitled Fit Check.

Following Nasser’s superb 2024 releases on Defected and RAWthentic, ‘Fit Check’ showcases the producer’s unique taste from the jump, featuring original vocals to create a vibey, club-ready outing, with expertly curated production choices perfectly exemplifying Thriftshoppe’s core values. 

DJ Randall ” Too Hot To Handle” dies at age 54 ! 

Known as your Favourite DJs DJ on the Drum n Bass and Jungle Music Scene, DJ Randall dies at the age of 54.

Randall McNeil was an innovator, whose dedication to DJing and supporting new music never wavered across his career, he was known for building bridges across generations.

From the end of the ’80s, when he discovered Acid House at Londons Notting Hill Carnival, Randalls ’s dedication to the craft of DJing, and British underground music culture, has been relentless and faultless.

Christened  “Too Hot To Handlle ”  a serious and worthy Tag name within the Music scene amongst other artiists and Lovers of his Music was given to him as recognition of his skill to be able to totally tear up a Dancefloor.

Many an Underground and rare Track has been purchased and discovered from Randalls Sets. An innovator and pioneer.

Randalls legacy will live on alongside his memory and the memories of everyone who knew him and raved to him.

1970 – 2024

New Conference in the US shines a Spotlight on Latinos in House Music

Saturday September 28th the LATINOS IN DA HOUSE Conference takes place in Chicago. Their mission is to give considerable light to the pivotal ( and in a lot of cases, overlooked) role that Latinos have played in shaping and evolving House Music, both locally in the states and on a global scale. 

 Latino contributions to the Dance and House Music scene have been long running since its inception in the 1970s. Since the beginning of House music in Chicago, Latinos have played a pivotal and important role in its development, creation and on going legacy, yet their years of dedication have often gone unrecognized. Their cultural musical contributions have significantly shaped what we knew then to be House Music and what we know Now to vbe House Music.

The Latino influence in the early days of Chicago house music 

was huge, and remains so, from pioneering DJs and remixers like Ralphi Rosario, second wave DJs like DJ Sneak, Bear Who?, Lego and Johnny Fiasco and so many more as well as the lists of Latino dance Crews who were just as important.

Cesar Rolon ( Co Founder of Latinos In Da House) says ” It’s a “recognition of the rich history and ongoing contributions of Latinos to house music. From the earliest days, Latino DJs, dancers and music lovers embraced house music, infusing it with their unique cultural perspectives and sounds. The energy and innovation brought by Latino artists and audiences have left an indelible mark on house music, making it a truly multicultural genre.”

While house music is “rightly” acknowledged for its roots in Chicago’s Black community, the story of Chicago house and then following from that…the growth of House, is not complete without recognising the extensive Latino presence that has shaped and enriched the genre 

HOUSE ICON KATHY BROWN LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING COMPILATION TO SUPPORT CANCER TREATMENT

Iconic house vocalist Kathy Brown has launched a compilation album to raise money for her treatment of stage 4 cancer.

The Album entitled ‘Legacy’ is set for release on July 19 via Glitterbox and will feature a selection of her greatest hits as well as several new remixes and edits, including one from renowned remixer and house music legends such as DJ Spen, Michael Gray as well as Sophie LLoyd and Moplen. 

The label is set to host a launch party on July 18 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which will take place at Defected London headquarters.

In January this year, Brown was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which subsequently spread to her brain. The diagnosis required an urgent operation and ongoing treatment, with her daughter Chanta Joyner setting up a GoFundMe to help support her and the family.

Pre Order Kathys Album here Kathy Brown Legacy Album

FESTIVAL CLOSURES AT ALL TIME HIGH 

The news of El Dorados Festival  closing this year marks 40 festivals announcing cancellation…SO FAR !   Twisted Festival, a three-day camping festival near Leicester, also announced it will not be taking place this year, and is postponing to 2025.

Rising Costs are leaving music festivals across the UK and Republic of Ireland struggling to survive, organisers have said. At least 42 festivals in the UK have announced a postponement, cancellation or complete closure in 2024, according to the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF)

Supply chain costs, ticketing and so many other factors mean events like these are becoming increasingly difficult to put on.

The AIF stated  “Without intervention, it’s expected that the UK could see over 100 festivals disappear in 2024, without having had a single steady season since the pandemic in which to recover, the country’s festivals are under more financial strain than ever.”

Last month, the AIF launched a campaign – The 5% For Festivals – which aimed for a VAT reduction on festival tickets that would save many event promoters from closure. The lowering of the VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on ticket sales for the next three years would be able to  give festival promoters the space they need to rebuild.

House music is “most popular club genre” in the UK, according to new research

According to the study, Birmingham has the most “versatile taste” in club music

An event-based analysis using 2024 data from Resident Advisor found that house is the top genre with 2,203 music events in nine out of 16 UK cities: London, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

The data also showed that techno is the most popular genre in Newcastle, Belfast, Glasgow, and Aberdeen — with 1,375 events so far in 2024 — while finishing in second place overall. In Sheffield, jazz is the second most popular genre.

According to the study, Birmingham has the most “versatile taste” with drum & bass coming in as the top-rated club music genre followed by Afrobeats and grime. Meanwhile, the city of Dundee holds disco in the highest esteem.

 New 3 Step Genre closing the Gap !

You’ve heard of 1 step and 2 step, Now 3 Step Music has emerged from the realms of House Music and is proving to catch the attention of music enthusiasts worldwide. The latest movement to sweep South Africa’s electronic music landscape and Pioneered by South Africa (Ivory Park ) born artist Thakzin

So, What EXACTLY is this new and exciting Genre ?

A dynamic and evolving sound which acts as a bridge between Afro House and Amapiano. Named for its three-kick-drum framework, the sound is often characterised by the jazzy horns of highlife; amapiano’s weightless bass, log drums, ad-libs and shakers; the kick grooves of Afro tech; and, crucially, marching handclaps and light-footed percussion, harking back to the playfulness of London’s broken beat (AKA bruk) era.

“In 3-step, each and every sound matters,” said Thakzin. “It’s mostly driven by the rhythm and the communication of drums. However, musicality plays a huge role because it balances the mood of the song. Coming from a country that prides itself on being creative, some of us are endlessly looking for ways to be different. Globally, what Afro house became, has been losing its authenticity and fading away from its roots. We’re just trying another way to approach house music. Another seed has been planted.”

While 3-step’s three-kick rhythm has been bubbling away for a few years, its rising popularity means it’s now dominating sets, establishing careers and even securing co-signs by global superstars

An Album Release that House Music Connoisseurs wont want to Miss !

Soulful House Producer, Musicican, DJ, Radio Host and Events Brand Owner Paris Cesvette just keeps them coming. A highly anticipated and Star Studded Album that has taken months of preperation and Hard work behind the scenes, bringing it to the much loved and respected Quantize Recordings. Paris Cesvettes talent knows no boundaries in the world of Music and this Album is sure to show EXACTLY what we mean.  Paris has had herself locked in the studio to bring us an album that resonates with the ancient wisdom of “As above, so below”, blending the cosmic with the personal in a symphony of soulful, Jazz and RNB fused house music. With the likes of House Music Royalty Kenny Bobien, Mr V, Gershon Jackson, Michelle Weeks and the delectable Vocals of Rona Ray, Hannah Khemoh and many More, the anticipation for this release is building. 

Brand New Shakedown & Boogie LP.

KNOX celebrates 30 years of making people Move on the Dancefloor !

From TNT / FREEZE to King Street Sounds and Armada Music with dozens in between, Knox returns to his own imprint, KHM to express his gratitude and Thanks for all the support he has been given over the years.

This Underground House Music Album consists of 18 DJ Centric extended Soulful House vocals to provide your Dancefloor with sophisticated, complex house music for those that love melody and vocals in a true classic NYC House sound.

This album celebrates 10 years at Traxsource and Beatport label KHM. It also celebrates 5 years of being a full time House Music producer and DJ. On top of all this, one of thesewill be a 200th Track for Knox.

This No Frills release is as Underground as it gets, focusing purely on the Music, keeping that House Vibe alive and Hopefully makes everyone want to Shakedown & Boogie! Incoming 5th July