Here are a couple of jams I picked up in NYC. I have been looking for this Ragtyme record for years and was so glad to find it. Unfortunately, my hectic travel schedule put a slight warp in it but it plays OK on my Beogram. I grabbed a bunch of nice early techno and house records in NYC; I don't think they don't know how good they have it over there.

Ragtyme was a project produced by Marshall Jefferson and represents soulful deep house at its best. There is plenty of smooth with lots of edge to keep it interesting. This 12" was mixed by Frankie Knuckles and features remixes by Lil Louis and Ron Hardy.

This 1988 tune by Innercity reworked by Derrick May is an early techno masterpiece. It was produced by Kevin Saunderson.

Ragtyme - I Can't Stay Away (Ron Hardy's Club Mix)
Innercity - Big Fun (Mayday Re-Edit)

This release compiled and edited by Ron Hardy in 1989 showcased some of Frankie Knuckle's finest work on the groundbreaking Chicago label, Trax Records. From his time as the house DJ at Chicago's legendary Warehouse club circa '77-'82, Knuckles was at the forefront of the original and only legit American House music movement. Nowadays Knuckles has a fetish for chillin' out in his ample collection of Louis Vuitton gear. I scored his cell phone number from my friend who works in the LV call center but I haven't had the nerve yet to cold call him and fire up a conversation. Anyways, my apologies for the somewhat dicey quality of these recordings. I picked this sealed copy up at a flea market but most Trax records were cheap shit and I think they forgot to master the recordings for the wax pressings. I believe that was actually a big part of the label's charm.

This Plastic Bertrand edit by the late great Ron Hardy has a loop that you can listen to forever. It evokes a patient dance floor full of enchanted people. Here also is a mix is from Ron Hardy's own club in Chicago, the Music Box which was in the old home of the Powerplant. This mix really well represents his playful and eclectic mixing style.

Plastic Bertrand - Stop Ou Encore (Ron Hardy Re-Edit)

Playlist:
1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
2. Two of China: Los Niños Del Parque (Tormenta-Mix)
3. Virgo: Free Yourself
4. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
5. Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride
6. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels
7. Hercules: 7 Ways
8. The Originals: Down To Love Town (edit)
9. Parlet: Pleasure Principle
10. Sleeque: One for the Money
11. Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way (Better Days Version)
12. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
13. Loleatta Holloway: Catch Me on the Rebound (Disco Madness Remix edit)
14. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way
15. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version/Female Version)/reversed
16. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
17. Teddy Pendergrass: The More I Get, The More I Want (edit)

Ron Hardy - Live at the Music Box 1986

First Choice, from Philadelphia, were one of the great disco acts. They had many solid hits including Hold Your Horses, Double Cross, Gotta Get Away, From You Baby, and Let No Man Put Asunder. This track is pretty ubiquitous. It is perhaps the most sampled track in dance music actually (next to the Amen Break.) It was produced in 1977 and pressed to a rare 12." In 1983 it was re-released as a 12" with both Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles remixes. This fine sounding rip is from the rare 12" bootleg EP pictured which features the Shep Pettibone mix. As a bonus, I have added a mighty fine Ron Hardy remix.

mp3: First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder
mp3: First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (Ron Hardy Mix)