If the result of this partnership between Godfather of House Frankie Knuckles and the Shapeshifters are anything to go by, the ones they love are each other. We got a little insight into their recent collaboration as they fire questions at each other in this uplifting and informative interview...

Questions for the Shapeshifters:

Where are you guys now and how do you feel?

We have just got back to the UK after a 3 week tour of Brazil, US and Canada and feel like we just did a 3 week tour of Brazil, US and Canada!! Slightly wounded and jetlagged but inspired.

Tell us about your latest single?

It’s called ‘The Ones You Love’ and is an old-skool groove with a fresh song and vibe.

How did the collaboration come about?

We have wanted to collaborate with Frankie for a long time on something, and we wrote this song with Jenna a year ago or so and just felt it was the perfect record to cross our worlds and make it finally happen.  Once we started it just flowed and we are really excited about the finished result. It has the class you would expect from a Frankie Knuckles & the Shapeshifters record. Job done!!

Defected Records has been instrumental in boosting your careers. What has it been like working with them?

Defected is the right home for us and they have been supportive and patient while we have been experimenting with our sound the last year or so and now  they will hopefully reap the benefit when we drop a new album in 2010

Who are some of the new/up and coming producers you’re feeling at the moment?

StereoSoulSystem, Kim Fai, DJ Pookie and Kris Taylor are all really talented and defiantly have the class to break through onto the scene.

What can we see in the future from The Shapeshifters & Nocturnal Groove?

Well, a new album from us next year and our remix of Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Want’ hits the streets soon as well as our mix on Candi Staton’s ‘Musical Freedom’ which is out now on Nocturnal Groove. The label will continue to support established and new talent alike to keep contributing to this thing we all call House!!

Questions for Frankie Knuckles:

Tell us about your new release with The Shapeshifters?

The ones you love, that's what it's about.  I love Simon & Max!  I fell in love with them when I first heard ‘Lola's Theme’.  I felt immediately drawn to them and we became the best of friends since.  So, when presented with the opportunity to work with the guys on a song together, I was nothing short of thrilled with the prospect.  The song title drew me in.  Jenna's performance made me a believer in how perfect this collaboration would be.

You’ve played a big role in the development of the whole scene. How has it been watching the scene & sound change over the years?

It's been exciting, fabulously emotional and extremely scary all at the same time.  It's exciting to see how far it's come and how technology has helped to shape the genre and fabulously emotional because of songs like ‘Lola's Theme’ and ‘The Ones You Love’ make for great battle weapons for the dance when I'm playing.  But it's also scary when you have a young audience that aren't sophisticated enough to understand or embrace a really good song when they hear it.  And with me being the song-based DJ that I am it's usually difficult for me to find songs to play that will inspire and uplift.

Is there a way to re-capture the magic and feeling that the original house music evoked in people?

Absolutely! The right song coupled with the right energy will make that happen every time.

Where do you see the future of house?

I honestly have no idea.

Who are some of the new up and coming producers you’re feeling at the moment?

Unfortunately there aren't any.  But I'm keeping my ears open.

What effect has the UK had on house music and why does it seem to be bigger in there than in America?

In The UK House Music is everywhere.  Everyone embraces it.  In the USA House Music is a very small fish in a very big pond.  The industry here is extremely homophobic and narrow-minded.  The powers that be think House Music is gay. It's gonna be a long time coming before the industry here finally embraces House Music as a viable entity.

What can we see from Frankie Knuckles in the future? 

I’ve just completed mixes on Whitney Houston's ‘Million Dollar Bill’ and Sofia May's ‘Comeback’. Plus, I've just launched ‘Motivation Too’, my latest mix compilation on Nervous Records.  At present, I'm completing production on my next artist album, ‘Double Vision’ by Director's Cut featuring Jamie Principle.

'The Ones You Love' is out now on Nocturnal Groove - click to listen & buy.