Mode.Radio's Weekly Mix #55--Gilles Petersen--In Memory of Maurice White

Maurice White was the iconic singer and producer of the great band, Earth, Wind, and Fire. He passed away last week (February 4th) of complications related to Parkinson's Disease and it was another great loss for the music community. 

Many know Maurice White just from his work with EWF, but he was an accomplished jazz drummer, performing with the Ramsey Lewis Trio. He was originally from Memphis and moved to Chicago to be near family and to go to the Chicago Conservatory of Music for college. After working with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, he and 2 friends started Earth, Wind, and Fire, which produced numerous hits. He also was a respected producer, creating tracks for Deneice Williams, The Emotions, Minnie Ripperton, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Gilles Peterson created this tribute mix TODAY. As you may know, Gilles is the world famous DJ from various UK radio stations such as KISS FM and now BBC Radio 6. He's well known for his acid jazz selections and his mix albums of rare grooves. This mix fits right into what Gilles does. It features a lot more jazz tracks with Ramsey Lewis and some tracks that Maurice produced, but there is a healthy amount of EWF tracks for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy and download at this link
1    - EWF – Energy (The Need of Love 1971)
2    - EWF – Faces (Faces 1980)
3    - The Salty Peppers – Open Your Heart
4    - The Dells – A Summer Place (Love is Blue 1969)
5    - Ramsey Lewis – Eternal Journey (Maiden Voyage 1968)
6    - Come on Feet segments (Sweet Sweet Badass Song)
7    - EWF – Moment of Truth (Earth Wind & Fire 1971)
8    - Ramsey Lewis – Uhuru (Another Voyage 1969)
9    - Billy Stewart – Summertime (1966)
10   - Fontella Bass – Rescue Me (The New look 1966)
11  - Sonny Cox – The Wailer (The Wailer 1966)
12  - Ramsey Lewis – Blue Bongo (Goin’Latin 1966)
13  - The Pharaohs – Damballa  (Awakening 1972)
14  - EWF – Beauty (The Need of Love 1971)
15  - EWF – Mom (Last Days and Time 1979)
16  - Minnie Ripperton – Memory Band (Janus 1974)
17  - EWF – Reasons (That’s the way of the World 1975)
18  - EWF – Earth, Wind & Fire (Spirit 1976)
19  - EWF – Wanna Be with You ( Raise 1981)
20  - EWF – You can’t Hide Love (Gratitude 1975)
21  - EWF – Step’s Tube ( Open your Eyes 1974)
22  - EWF – Caribou (Open your Eyes 1974)
23  - Ramsey Lewis – Slick (Salongo 1976)
24  - EWF – Runnin’ (All n All 1977)
25  - EWF – Let Your Feelings Show (I Am 1979)
26  - EWF – And Love Goes On (Faces 1980)
27  - The Emotions – Best of My Love (Rejoices 1977)
28  - Ramsey Lewis – Wade on the Water (Wade in the Water 1966)
29  - Marlena Shaw – Wade in the Water (Chess 45 1966)
30  - EWF – Shining Star (Thats the way of the world 1975)
31  - Deniece Williams – Free (This Is Niecey 1976)
32  - EWF – Dreams (Open Your Eyes 1974)
33  - EWF – Zanzibar (Head to the Sky 1973)
34  - EWF – Fantasy (All n All 1977)
35  - Ramsey Lewis – Sun Goddess (1974)
36  - EWF – Brazilian Rhyme (unreleased version 1977)
37  - EWF – Intro (Gratitude 1975)

Mode.Radio's Weekly Mix #33--Frankie Knuckles Live at Stereo--March, 2010

March 31 of this year marked the one year anniversary of the death of Frankie Knuckles, legendary House DJ and Producer. Ironically, I discovered this mix on that day through a Facebook link and it is amazing. The mix was done at Stereo in Montreal, Canada in 2010 and  was released the day after his death in 2014. Enjoy and happy Spring!

Tracklisting:
1. That Feeling--DJ Chus
2. Unknown
3. Pianissmo--Alfred Azzeto
4. Unknown
5. Krash--Liquid Dope
6. Unknown
7. Nocturnal--The Shapeshifters
8. Happiness--Bini
9. Unknown
10. Decide--Jay-J, Big Brooklyn Red
11. The Light--Jaime Lewis, Michelle Weeks
12. Unknown
13. Conqueror--Danny Clark, Jay Benham
14. Unknown
15. Can't Get Over You--Full Intention
16. Forever Came Today--Jackson 5
17. Unknown

Mode. Radio Weekly Mix (Special Episode) #11--Frankie Knuckles--Boiler Room NYC Mix

Many of you may have heard the shocking news yesterday (or today) of the death of House music legend, Frankie Knuckles. Frankie died at age 59 from complications from type 2 diabetes. Up until his death, Frankie was still very active in the house music scene. A little bio on his life from Wikipedia:

"Frankie Knuckles (January 18, 1955 – March 31, 2014) was an American DJ, record producer, and remixer.He was born Francis Nicholls in the Bronx borough of New York City and later moved to Chicago. He played an important role in developing and popularizing house music in Chicago during the 1980s when the genre was in its infancy. In 2005, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievements.

Due to his importance in the development of the genre, Knuckles was often known as "The Godfather of House Music",and as such the city of Chicago named a stretch of street and a day after Knuckles in 2004. In 2005, Frankie was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame."

One of his songs that always got me twisted on the dance floor was "The Whistle Song." Listen to it here: 

This weekly mix we are featuring comes from Bolier Room and it was released on May 2013 in NYC. Respect, Enjoy,  and RIP....