FOUNDATIONS: FRANCOIS K

The Professor takes control.

Friends.

It’s Friday and we’re relaying the foundations.

This week I’ll be leaning heavily on the epert curation of Mr Francois Kevorkian: Franco-Armenian genuis; Studio 54 and Paradise Garage resident; Purveyor of the finest dubbed out psychadelic disco grooves from day dot.

Back in the dark days of lockdown Francois’s live streams from his cocoon-like studio in New York were an absolute godsend. The archives are deep, the whole channel is a vibe.

For our purposes, I’m going to focus on three sessions.

ROOTS OF ACID HOUSE

A fantastic collection of early tracks that paved the way to what became known as ‘House Music’ in Chicago during the mid-80’s.

Francois‘s expert commentary explains in detail the transition from classic disco, funk and soul to the more electronic sounds defined by the Roland 808 and 707 drum machines.

Serious business for students of history.

BLEEPS & BASSLINES

The beginnings of the ‘Sheffield Sound’ and how Warp Records first got started over 30 years ago. The mix covers some seminal tracks form that era, before introducing some more recent electronic music and linking the aesthetic across the entire timeline of its evolution.

Featuring music from LFO, Sleeparchive, Aphex Twin, Ability II and Francois K himself.

Proper gear from the Steel City and further afield.

MILES BEYOND!

And finally, a bit of a curveball, but I simply had to share this epic four and a half hour journey through the music of Miles Davis.

It really doesn’t get better.

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Thank you Francois for the expert curation.

Until next time.

Peace and love.

Rubin