Classic Chicago House Music: The Best of the Best

From Frankie Knuckles to Marshall Jefferson, here’s a look at some of the most influential figures in the history of classic Chicago house music.

Introduction

Chicago House music is a style of electronic dance music that was developed in the city of Chicago in the early 1980s. The music is characterized by its use of synthesizers and drum machines, as well as its distinctive bassline. It is also often associated with the city’s African-American community.

Chicago House music was originally created by DJs who were playing at dance clubs in the city. These DJs would play records that were imported from Europe, which were influenced by the likes of Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder. They would also play records from Chicago’s own house music scene, which was just beginning to emerge at the time.

The sound of Chicago House music quickly spread beyond the city limits, and it soon became popular in other parts of the United States and Europe. In the 1990s, the genre experienced a resurgence in popularity, as it was embraced by a new generation of clubgoers.

Today, Chicago House music is enjoyed by people all over the world, and it continues to evolve and change with each passing year.

The Birth of Chicago House Music

In the early 1980s, a new form of club music was born in the city of Chicago. This style came to be known as “Chicago house.” Chicago house is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by certain common elements, including a four-on-the-floor drum beat, a distinctive bassline, and the use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

The origins of Chicago house can be traced back to the city’s black and Latino nightclubs, where DJs would play a mix of disco, soul, and funk tracks. Over time, these DJs began to experiment with new sounds and technologies, and they soon developed a signature style that would come to be known as “house.”

The term “house” is believed to have originated from one of Chicago’s earliest and most influential house clubs, the Warehouse. The Warehouse was founded in 1977 by Frankie Knuckles, who is often credited as being the “godfather” of house music. Knuckles played a pivotal role in the development of the Chicago house sound, and his records had a massive impact on the early house scene.

By the early 1980s, house music had begun to spread out of Chicago and into other cities like Detroit and New York. House would go on to become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music in the world.

The Pioneers of Chicago House Music

Chicago house music is a style of house music that was developed in the early 1980s by DJs in Chicago, United States. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s nightclubs and radio stations in Chicago, and has since spread around the world. House music is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute.

Chicago house music was developed by DJs and producers such as Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Mr. Fingers, Lil Louis, and Phuture who were influenced by disco, jazz, soul, and rock music. The first House track is generally considered to be “On and On” by E-Smoove which was released in 1985 on Trax Records.

The characteristic garage sound of Chicago House can be attributed to the use of Roland TR-808 drum machines and samplers which were popular among early House producers. The Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer is also considered to be an important component of the Chicago House sound.

The Evolution of Chicago House Music

Chicago house music is a genre of electronic dance music created by club DJs and music producers in Chicago in the early 1980s. Early house music was generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with electric bass lines and sometimes, off-beat drum machine hi-hat patterns. House music quickly spread to other American cities such as Detroit, New York City, and Newark – all of which developed their own regional scenes. In the mid-to-late 1980s, house music became popular in Europe as well as major cities in South America, Australia, and Asia. By the early 1990s, it was one of the most popular genres worldwide.

Despite its international appeal, Chicago house music has never been easy to define. One reason for this is that it has been continuously evolving since its inception. The other reason is that it has been appropriated and repurposed by so many different subcultures and artists over the years that it has become difficult to identify what “true” Chicago house music actually sounds like.

The earliest form of Chicago house is often referred to as “warehouse music” or “garage house.” It was created by DJs who were experimenting with new ways to extend the mix beyond the traditional 12-inch record format. This led to the development of new mixing techniques and equipment such as drum machines, samplers, and synthesizers. These technologies allowed DJs to create long seamless mixes that were perfect for dancing.

As Chicago house continued to evolve in the late 1980s and early 1990s, two new subgenres emerged: acid house and hard house. Acid house was defined by its use of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer to create squelching, acidic sounds. Hard house was defined by its aggressive, driving sound—a stark contrast to the more mellow acid house sound.

In the mid-1990s, a new generation of Chicago producers began experimenting with elements of other genres such as techno, soulful R&B vocals, and Latin percussion. This resulted in the emergence of a new subgenre called “ghetto house” or “juke joint style”—a raw and stripped-down form of house characterized by minimalist drum tracks and sparse synthesizer melodies.

Today, there are countless subgenres of Chicago house music—too many to list here. But some of the most popular include footwork (a fast-paced subgenre featuring intricate footwork patterns), juke (a minimalistic subgenre characterized by stripped-down percussion tracks), ghetto tech (a hard-hitting subgenre featuring distorted synths and drum machines),and bounce (an up-tempo subgenre featuring catchy hooks and R&B vocals).

The Best of the Best

If you’re a fan of classic Chicago house music, then you’re in for a treat. This compilation features some of the best tracks from the genre, including tracks by Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, and Mr. Fingers. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just getting into the genre, this collection is sure to please.

Frankie Knuckles

When it comes to Frankie Knuckles, the accolades just keep coming. He was a visionary producer and DJ who helped to shape the sound of house music and influenced countless other artists. His untimely passing in 2014 sent shockwaves through the dance music community, but his legacy lives on through his music.

Knuckles was born in the Bronx in 1955 and began his DJ career in the early 1970s. He made his name playing at The Gallery, a legendary club in New York City, and went on to play at several other influential clubs including The Warehouse in Chicago. It was at The Warehouse that Knuckles developed his signature sound, a fusion of soul, disco and electronic dance music. This sound would go on to define house music and make Knuckles one of the most revered DJs of all time.

Although Knuckles is no longer with us, his influence can still be felt today. His music continues to inspire new generations of electronic dance music producers and DJs, and his legend will no doubt live on for many years to come.

Marshall Jefferson

If you’re a fan of classic Chicago house music, then you’re definitely familiar with the name Marshall Jefferson. Jefferson is widely considered to be one of the founding fathers of house music, and his 1986 track “Move Your Body” is often cited as the first true house anthem.

Born in Chicago in 1963, Jefferson began his musical career as a disco and R&B bass player in the early 1980s. He quickly became interested in the nascent Chicago house scene, and in 1984 he co-founded the influential record label Trax Records with Larry Sherman. It was on Trax that Jefferson released “Move Your Body,” which became an instant hit on dance floors across the city.

Jefferson continued to produce groundbreaking house tracks throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the vocal classics “Ride The Rhythm” and “Turn Up The Music.” He also had a hand in producing some of the earliest tracks by fellow Chicago house legends like Frankie Knuckles, Mr. Fingers, and Armando. In recent years, Jefferson has continued to perform and DJ all over the world, keeping the spirit of classic Chicago house alive for new generations of dance music fans.

Mr. Fingers

If you want to get a sense of the history of house music, look no further than Mr. Fingers. The stage name of Chicago native Larry Heard, Mr. Fingers is one of the earliest and most influential producers in the genre. His signature sound—a blend of deep bass, African percussion, and soulful vocals—defined the “Chicago sound” and set the stage for the rise of house music in the 1980s.

Heard got his start in the 1970s as a member of the group rubberband, which was signed to Chess Records. The group released one album, “The Other Side of Summer”, before disbanding. Heard then began working on solo material, self-releasing his first record, “Mystery Of Love”, in 1985.

It was with his second release, “Can You Feel It”, that Mr. Fingers made his mark on the world of house music. The track was an instant classic, helping to define the sound of Chicago house and paving the way for the genre’s rise to international prominence in the years that followed.

Mr. Fingers continued to release tracks throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the albums “Amnesia” and “Invocation Of My Demon Brother”. He has since retired from making music, but his influence can still be heard in today’s house tracks.

Armando

Armando Gallop is a legendary name in Chicago house music. A original member of the famed Hot Mix 5 DJ crew, he was one of the first DJs to mix house music live on the radio. He went on to produce some of the most iconic tracks in house music history, including “Guilty” and “100% of Disin’ You.” In this collection, we’ve compiled some of Armando’s best tracks, both as a solo artist and as part of his duo with fellow Hot Mix 5 DJ Farley “Jackmaster” Funk.

Farley Jackmaster Funk

Farley “Jackmaster” Funk (born Farley Keith Waring on August 4, 1956) is an American DJ, record producer and recording artist from Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the key figures in the development of house music in Chicago during the 1980s. In 1985, he founded the label House Records with Marshall Jefferson and has recorded on numerous labels including Trax Records, Djax-Up-Beats, Dance Mania and acid tracks.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed our guide to the best of the best in classic Chicago house music. This music has been a staple of the city’s club scene for decades and shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re ever in the Windy City, be sure to check out some of these iconic clubs and experience the sounds of Chicago house for yourself.