First, this list won’t contain only Chicago house, but also acid, garage, deep and even hip house. Shortly, every style of house that appeared before 1989.

So let’s say something about that “Classic House”. Everyone knows that house was born in the warehouses of Chicago, in the early 80-ies. First pressed house record was probably Jesse Saunders’ On & On, and first house album Z-Factor’s Dance Party Album. Both were released in 1984. Acid house appeared in 1986 (Phuture - Acid Tracks), hip house in 1988 (The Beatmasters - Rok Da House) and deep and tribal house sometime between. Two main Chicago house labels were Trax Records and D.J. International, which released a huge number of classics.

Classic House is one of those genres, which is hard to get into, unless you “been there” at the time. The reason is that it sounds terribly outdated these days (sometimes the bad vinyl pressings (which were very common back then) even more worsened the sound quality). But when you get into it, you discover a certain charm and the music just starts to grow on you.

1. Marshall Jefferson - Move Your Body (Trax, 1986)
2. Mr. Fingers - Can You Feel It (Trax, 1986)
3. Farley ”Jackmaster” Funk - It’s U (House Mix) (D.J. International, 1987)
4. Raze - Break 4 Love (Drop The Panties) (Groove Street, 1987)
5. Frankie Knuckles - Your Love (Trax, 1987)
6. Wired - To The Beat Of The Drum (Burn Mix) (ZYX, 1986)
7. Phuture - Acid Tracks (Trax, 1987)
8. Byron Stingily - Just A Little Bit (Club Mix) (Jack Trax, 1987)
9. Fallout - Morning After (Sunrise Mix) (Fourth Floor, 1987)
10. Kenny “Jammin” Jason & “Fast” Eddie Smith - Can U Dance (D.J. International, 1987)
11. Jamie Principle - Baby Wants To Ride (House Of Trix) (FFRR, 1987)
12. The House Master Boyz And The Rude Boy Of House - House Nation (Dance Mania,1986)
13. Humanoid - Stakker Humanoid (Westside, 1988)
14. A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray (Rham!, 1988)
15. Steve ”Silk” Hurley - Jack Your Body (Club Your Body) (Underground, 1986)
16. Adonis - Lost In The Sound (Lost Mix) (Jack Trax, 1988)
17. Robert Owens - Bring Down The Walls (Trax, 1986)
18. Ecstasy Club - Jesus Loves The Acid (Acid Chant) (Swordfish, 1988)
19. Lil’ Louis - French Kiss (Diamond, 1989)
20. Jungle Wonz - The Jungle (Trax, 1986)
21. Inner City - Good Life [1988]
22. The Todd Terry Project - Weekend (Club Version) [1988]
23. Ralphi Rosario - You Used To Hold Me (Kenny ‘Jammin’ Jason Mix) [1987]
24. Adventures Of Stevie V. - Dirty Cash (Sold Out Mix) [1989]
25. Nitro Deluxe - Let’s Get Brutal [1986]
26. Adonis - No Way Back (Vocal Mix) [1986]
27. Baby Ford - Chikki Chikki Ahh Ahh (Milky Trés) [1988]
28. Bam Bam - Where’s Your Child? [1988]
29. John Rocca - I Want It To Be Real (Farley’s Hot House Piano Mix) [1987]
30. Quest - Mind Games (Underground Mix) [1985]
31. Femme Fion - Jack The House (Club House) [1986]
32. Pleasure Pump - Fantasize Me (Club) [1987]
33. Da Posse - It’s My Life (Aluh Mix) [1988]
34. Charles B - Lack Of Love [1988]
35. J.M. Silk - Shadows Of Your Love (House Mix) [1986]
36. Mike Dunn - Life Goes On [1988]
37. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk & Jessie Saunders - Love Can’t Turn Around (Club Mix) [1986]
38. Joe Smooth - Promised Land (Club Mix) [1987]
39. Marshall Jefferson - Free Yourself [1987]
40. Risse - House Train (New York Club Mix) [1986]
41. Inner City - Big Fun (Club Mix) [1988]
42. Ten City - Devotion (Marshall’s Club Mix) [1989]
43. Kenny ”Jammin” Jason & ”Fast” Eddie Smith - Don’t Want It (Club Mix) [1987]
44. Joe Magic - Take It To The Top [1987]
45. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk - Farley Knows House [1985]
46. J.M. Silk - Music Is The Key (House Key) [1985]
47. Steve Poindexter - Work That Mutha Fucker [1989]
48. Jesse Saunders - Funk You Up (Vocal) [1984]
49. Maurice - This Is Acid (A New Dance Craze) (Deep Dub) [1988]
50. Phortune - Unity [1987]
51. Virgo - In A Vision (Instrumental) [1989]
52. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk & The Shy Boyz - U Ain’t Really House (Really Instrumental) [1987]
53. Z-Factor - Fantasy (Vocal) [1984]
54. Sweet D - Thank Ya [1986]
55. Lil’ Louis - How I Feel [1987]
56. Jesse Saunders - On & On [1984]
57. Moments Of Ecstasy - Wanna Get Out [1989]
58. Le’ Noiz - I’m Scared [1985]
59. 808 State - Let Yourself Go (303 Mix) [1988]
60. Jamie Principle - Rebels (Get Righteous) (Acid Mix) [1988]
61. Ralphi Rosario - I Want You (Latin Edit) [1987]
62. Bang The Party - Release Your Body (Mayday Mix) [1988]
63. Kissing The Pink - Certain Things Are Likely (Garage) [1986]
64. Ten City - That’s The Way Love Is (Underground Mix - Extended Version) [1989]
65. Inner City - Do You Love What You Feel (Kevin’s Mix) [1989]
66. Keith Thompson - Love Is Not A Toy (L.A’s Cleopatra House Mix) [1988]
67. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk - Jack The Bass [1985]
68. James “Jack Rabbit” Martin - Rabbit Trax I (The Next Generation) [1988]
69. Plez - Can’t Stop (Acid Rainforest Mix) [1988]
70. Steve Poindexter - Computer Madness [1989]
71. Ramos - The Jackin’ National Anthem (Jackin’ Mix) [1987]
72. No Smoke - Koro-Koro [1989]
73. Pierre’s Pfantasy Club - Got The Bug [1987]
74. Jack ‘N’ Chill - The Jack That House Built [1987]
75. 808 State - Flow Coma [1988]
76. Lil’ Louis - Frequency (Vocal) [1987]
77. The Force - It’s O.K., It’s O.K. [1986]
78. Chip E. - If You Only Knew (If You Dance Mix) [1986]
79. Funhouse - Dancin’ Easy (Club Mix) [1988]
80. Pierre’s Pfantasy Club - Dream Girl (Acid Dream) [1988]
81. Hithouse - Jack To The Sound Of The Underground (Melt Down Mix) [1988]
82. Mickey Oliver - I Need A Beat (Original Mix) [1988]
83. Pierre’s Pfantasy Club - I Can’t Stop For You [1987]
84. Ralphi Rosario - Sua Vecito [1987]
85. Fast Eddie - Acid Thunder (Fast Thunder) [1988]
86. The Todd Terry Project - Just Wanna Dance (Club Version) [1988]
87. Victor Romeo & The Move - I Want Your Love (House Mix) [1988]
88. E.S.P. - It’s You (Vocal) [1986]
89. Gentry Ice - Do You Wanna Jack (Club Mix) [1988]
90. Libra Libra - I Like It (Club Mix) [1986]
91. Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon (Club Mix) [1989]
92. Mario Reyes - What Ever Turns You On (Club Mix) [1986]
93. Age Of Chance - Time’s Up [1989]
94. Phortune - String Free (Club LeRay Mix) [1988]
95. LNR - Work It To The Bone (Vocal) [1987]
96. Phuture - The Creator (Acid Mix) [1988]
97. Mark Imperial - J’Adore Danser (Club Mix) [1985]
98. Reese & Santonio - The Sound (Smoothe Mix) [1987]
99. Xaviera Gold - Solutions (House Remix) [1987]
100. Paul Scott - Off The Wall (Ace Mix) [1985]
101. Lil’ Louis - Music Takes U Away (Vocal Mix) [1988]
102. Kevin Irving - Children Of The Night (Dub) [1987]
103. Fast Eddie - Jack 2 The Sound [1988]
104. The Night Writers - Let The Music (Use You) (Club Mix) [1987]
105. Arrogance - Crazy (Club Mix) [1986]
106. Inner City - Ain’t Nobody Better [1989]
107. M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume [1987]
108. The It - Donnie (Club Mix) [1986]
109. Rififi - Dr. Acid And Mr. House (No Drugs Mix) [1988]
110. Fingers Inc. - A Love Of My Own (Extended Club Mix By J. Hersfeld Asst. By R. Owens) [1987]
111. Fast Eddie - I Can Dance [1988]
112. Dymond - Wild About Your Love (Club Mix) [1986]
113. White Knight - Never Give Up (Club) [1985]
114. On The House - Ride The Rhythm [1986]
115. Jellybean - The Real Thing (West 26th Street Mix) [1987]
116. One On One Crew - Bassin’ [1987]
117. Julian “Jumpin” Perez - Jack Me Till I Scream (Jumpin’ Mix) [1987]
118. Ralphi Rosario - In The Night (House Night) [1988]
119. Nebula - Nebula 1 [1988]
120. Pierre’s Pfantasy Club - 20 Below [1987]
121. Armando - World Unknown (Mike Dunn Mix) [1987]
122. Fingers Inc. - Never No More Lonely [1987]
123. Mike Dunn - Let It Be House [1988]
124. BnC - House Ain’t Givin Up (Dean’s Mix) [1987]
125. Liz Torres Featuring Edward Crosby - Can’t Get Enough (Club) [1987]
126. White Knight - Yo Baby Yo (Mix 1) [1987]
127. Farm Boy - Move (Club Mix) [1986]
128. Professor Funk & The Chicago Hous’n Authority - Visions (Club Mix) [1987]
129. Risqué III - Essence Of A Dream [1987]
130. Victor Romeo - Love Will Find A Way (Club) [1988]
131. Mickey Oliver - Anticipate (Sweet House Mix) [1988]
132. Phortune - House Rights (Fight For It) [1987]
133. Adonis - Acid Poke [1988]
134. Jamie - I Want Your Love [1987]
135. Chip E. - Time To Jack (Vocal Mix) [1986]
136. Darci Mor - I’ve Lost My Love For You [1987]
137. Mr. Fingers - Amnesia (Unknown Mix) [1987]
138. Master C & J - In The City (Club Mix) [1987]
139. Mickey Oliver - Pump Up The Beat [1988]
140. On The House - Pleasure Control (Long) [1986]
141. Candy J - Somethings They Never Change (Dub Train Mix) [1988]
142. Risqué Rhythm Team - More Than Just A Dance (House Mix) [1988]
143. Party Animals - Let’s Party (12” Vocal Mix) [1988]
144. Chip E. - MB Dance [1985]
145. John Rocca - Move (Landlord House Mix) [1987]
146. Tage - Just A Tease (House Mix) [1987]
147. Fingers Inc. - A Path (Club Mix) [1986]
148. Thomas Davis - Don’t Hold Back [1987]
149. Raze - Jack Up Work Your Body (Tom Tom Mix) [1987]
150. Royal House - Can You Party (Club Mix) [1988]
151. Farm Boy - Jackin’ Me Around (Farm Mix) [1986]
152. MK II - Used By DJ (Vocal) [1986]
153. Mark Imperial - The Love I Lost [1987]
154. Hercules - 7 Ways (Vocal) [1986]
155. Mink - Rhythem Method (Club Method) [1987]
156. Fingers Inc. - Distant Planet (Club Mix) [1987]
157. Raz - Puetro Rican Lover (Spanish Club Mix) [1986]
158. M. Doc - It’s Percussion (House Mix) [1988]
159. One On One Crew - Give It Up (Piano Mix) [1987]
160. LNR - It’s A Mystery To Me (The You And Me Both Mix) [1987]
161. Mickey Oliver - In-Ten-Si-T [1988]
162. Tyree - I Fear The Night (Subterranean Mix) [1986]
163. Blaze - Whatcha Gonna Do (Vocal) [1986]
164. Baby Ford - Oochy Koochy (Konrad Kadet Mix) [1988]
165. Shawn Christopher - People of All Nations (Club Mix) [1986]
166. Hardhouse - Voices In My House (Club House Mix) [1989]
167. Denise Motto - I M N X T C [1986]
168. Liz Torres - Mama’s Boy (Club Mix) [1987]
169. Tony Sineni - Rhythm Of The Beat (House Mix) [1987]
170. Chip E. - Like This (Club Mix) [1985]
171. White Knight - White Knight Jacks (Knight Dub) [1987]
172. Duane & Co. - Piano Traxx [1986]
173. Ulysses - Magic Wand (Peter Vincent Mix) [1987]
174. Phil Fearon - Ain’t Nothing But A House Party (Raise The Roof Mix) [1986]
175. White Knight - Demons [1987]
176. Sampson “Butch” Moore - House Beat Box (Instrumental) [1986]
177. The House Gang - Cool J Trax [1988]
178. Boris Badenough - Hey Rocky! (Instrumental) [1986]
179. Jungle Brothers - I’ll House You [1988]
180. Fast Eddie - Git On Up (The Fast Eddie Mix) [1989]
181. Cleavage - Barah (The House Mix) [1987]
182. Risqué III - Risqué Madness [1987]
183. White Knight - Gonna Jack (Club) [1987]
184. House Rockers - Everybody Do It! (Hollywood Mix) [1986]
185. Fast Eddie - Hip House (LP Version) [1988]
186. House People - Godfather Of House (Club Version) [1986]
187. Lil’ Louis - The Original Video Clash [1988]
188. Liz Torres Featuring Kenny “Jammin” Jason - What You Make Me Feel (Fierce Mix) [1986]
189. Professor Funk & The House Brothers - Work Your Body Rap (Work The Beat) [1986]

Tracklist:

Carl Craig (69) - Sound on Sound (Planet E) 1993

Mike Dearborn - Raw Acid (Djax Up Beats) 1995

DJ Hyperactive - Tilt (Sm:)le Communications) 1996

Baby Pop - U Know What I’m Sayin’ (Relief) 1995

Boo Williams - Flashback (Relief) 1995

DJ Funk - House the Groove (Dance Mania) 1993

DJ Pierre/Roy Davis (Photon)-Give A Little Love(Wild Pitch mix)(Strictly Rhythm)1992

Mike Dunn (MD Xpress) - God Made Me Phunky (Solo) 1994

DJ Sneak - Sounds From The Pipe (Cajual) 1996

Motorbass - Ezio (Different) 1996

DJ Tonka - Give It Up (Force Inc.) 1995

Daniel Wang - Unhouse (Balihu)

Lil Louie Vega/Tony Humphries (Hardrive) – Jus’ Believe (Strictly Rhythm) 1993

Parris Mitchell/Jammin’ Gerald - Ghetto B**ty (Dance Mania) 1994

Idjut Boys - Schlamm Me (U-Star) 1996

Nick Holder - Get It Up (DNH) 1994

Joey Beltram (Code 6) - Quad II (Nu Groove) 1991

Todd Terry - Bounce To The Beat (Freeze) 1994

Todd Edwards - Push The Love (i Records) 1997

Boo Williams - Cloudburst (Relief) 1995

Paul Johnson - Y’all Stole Them Dances (Relief) 1994

Mousse T - Everybody (instrumental) (Swing City) 1996

Kenny Dope Gonzales/Lil Louie Vega (Kenlou) - The Bounce (MAW) 1995

Cajmere - Electric (Cajual) 1997

Armand van Helden - Break da 80s (Strictly Rhythm) 1994

Drexciya - Water Walker (Submerge) 1994

Glenn Underground – Beyond (Cajual) 1995

DJ Slugo – Drum to Drum (Dance Mania) 1995

Armando - Confusion’s Revenge (Muzique) 1989

DJ Deeon - Ping Pong (Dance Mania)

Neil Landstrumm - Scratch’n’Sniff (Peacefrog) 1996

Waxmaster - Ride the Pony (Dance Mania) 1997

Cajmere - Horny (Horny Toad mix) (Cajual) 1995

DJ Rush - Crusing (Dance Mania) 1991

Robert Hood - The Pace (Axis) 1994

DJ ESP - Ab Fab! (Volume) 1995

Richie Hawtin (Robotman)-Do the Doo (Plastikman Acid House remix) (Definitive) 1993

K Alexi (K.A Posse) - Stick Music (D.J International) 1990

Hardfloor - Mahogany Roots (Harthouse) 1994

Mad Mike Banks/Davina - Don’t You Want It? (Happy) 1992

Brian Wilson - ‘Music is God’s Voice’

Laurent Garnier/Shazz/Ludovic Navarre (Choice) - Acid Eiffel (Fragile) 1993