Janet JacksonとJam & Lewisの後押しでメジャー・デビューを果たした伝説的ゴスペル集団と、“Godfather of House” Frankie Knucklesが残した幻のミックスがついに公式音源化。
1969年にミネソタ州セントポールのMacalester Collegeで結成されたSounds Of Blacknessは、ゴスペル、R&B、ソウルを融合し、黒人文化の精神性と共同体意識を音楽で表現してきた重要グループ。1991年発表のメジャー・デビュー作『The Evolution Of Gospel』に収録された「The Pressure」は、アップテンポなハウス・トラックとして大きな注目を集めた。
同年にFrankie Knucklesが手掛けた「Classic Mix」は、Ann Nesbyの圧倒的なヴォーカルを前面に押し出した名リミックスとしてハウス・ファンの間で語り継がれ、Sound FactoryやDavid Morales、Danny Tenagliaのプレイでも知られる存在となった。
本作に収録された「Lullaby Mix」は、長年その存在だけが噂されながら公式発表されることのなかった未発表ヴァージョン。パーカッションを大胆に排除し、これまで未収録だったヴァースを含むフルに近いAnn Nesbyのヴォーカルを軸に再構築されている。Terry Burrusによる美しいピアノ、Satoshi Tomiieが手掛けた浮遊感あふれるシンセサイザーも印象的で、静謐かつスピリチュアルな空間を描き出す。
オリジナルや既存リミックスとは異なるアプローチながら、その感動は決して劣らない。Frankie Knucklesの美学とゴスペルの魂が高い次元で融合した、長年待ち望まれてきた歴史的音源だ。
A1. The Pressure Pt. II (Frankie Knuckles Lullaby Mix)
For the self-professed (and the genuine) aficionados, the Sounds of Blackness are synonymous with reverence. With origins at St. Paul, Minnesota’s Macalester College in 1969, the group grew to encompass all forms of Black American life, both the divine and the secular, with a community ethos that led the choir and orchestra to gain a fervent regional following. After eventually signing with Perspective/A&M Records at the insistence of Janet Jackson and Jam & Lewis, the group released their debut major LP The Evolution Of Gospel in 1991, which is where ‘The Pressure’ first appeared as a uptempo, contemporary house track split into two parts. Frankie Knuckles’ ‘Classic’ mix followed the same year, clearing the clutter of the original to showcase Ann Nesby’s stunning performance. This mix would grow to fabled status amongst the true house heads, as anyone who frequented the Sound Factory, or had the blessing of hearing the likes of David Morales or Danny Tenaglia spin, will passionately attest.
Yet despite the myriad of mixes—‘The Pressure (Pt. 1)’ 12” release boasted 6—rumors grew over the preceding decades regarding an unreleased Frankie Knuckles’ iteration previously only heard live: a devastatingly emotional mix which stripped the original to its essentials, sans any percussion, and included an unabridged vocal. This take, here presented as the debut promotional single from our forthcoming The Atheists Guide To Gospel Music Vol. 2, is finally available officially as Frankie Knuckles’ ‘Lullaby Mix’ of ‘The Pressure Pt. II’. Clocking in at just under 6 minutes, this miraculous version includes previously cut verses, placing added emphasis on the aforementioned Ann Nesby vocal, along with Terry Burrus’ gorgeous piano playing. Satoshi Tomiie’s drum programming is forgone, with his synths suspending the song in pitch-bent celestial zephyrs, with key stabs and bass also included in the dance. Its a special mix, one that more than justifies its legendary reputation. The lone conceit here being, if this is a lullaby, how could sleep follow from such a spiritual deluge? What type of dreams await?
