Fresh tracks, mixes, remixes and releases — listen online new releases Chicago House music

Chicago House — the birth of house music and the sound that changed global dance culture

Chicago House is a foundational style of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-1980s in Chicago and became the basis of the entire global house scene. It is characterized by minimalism, groovy basslines, the drum-machine rhythm of the Roland TR-808 / TR-909, soulful vocals, and the atmosphere of underground club culture.

On Minatrix.FM you can listen to Chicago House tracks online in MP3 320 kbps — with no registration or limits.

What is Chicago House?

Chicago House is the earliest form of house music, combining:

• minimal sequenced basslines,
• a straight 4/4 rhythm,
• soul and disco influences,
• vocal samples,
• warm analog synthesizers,
• the spirit of underground experimentation.

This is music of the dancefloor, freedom, and club revolution — the sound that gave birth to deep house, acid house, tech house, garage and hundreds of subgenres.

The history of Chicago House — how it all began

1. Early 1980s — Chicago clubs and the rise of a new culture

House music was born in the club The Warehouse, where the legendary DJ Frankie Knuckles mixed:

• disco,
• soul,
• European electronic music,
• early synth-pop.

Club-goers called the new sound “Warehouse Music”, later shortened to “House”.

2. Mid-80s — the first producers and the birth of acid house

Pioneers of Chicago House:

• Frankie Knuckles
• Marshall Jefferson
• Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers)
• Jesse Saunders
• Chip E.
• Farley "Jackmaster" Funk

Between 1984–1986 the first house releases appeared, including:

• “Move Your Body” — the anthem of the house revolution
• “Can You Feel It” (Mr. Fingers)
• “Love Can’t Turn Around”
• “On & On” — the first house track released on vinyl

3. Late 80s — global expansion

The genre spread to:

• Detroit,
• New York,
• Europe,
• British rave clubs.

In Chicago, Acid House was born — the TB-303 sound that changed the global scene.

Chicago House became a worldwide phenomenon.

The sound of Chicago House — key characteristics

1. TR-808 / TR-909 rhythm

Warm, mechanical, driving beats.

2. Minimalist groove

Sequenced basslines + repetition.

3. Soul / gospel inspiration

Uplifting, emotional vocal style.

4. Analog synthesizers

Juno, Jupiter, Prophet — warm and smooth sonic textures.

5. Sampling disco and funk records

But processed in a raw, club-oriented manner.

6. Hypnotic flow

Chicago House is built on repetition that creates dancefloor hypnosis.

Subgenres that evolved from Chicago House

• Deep House — atmospheric and emotional successor.
• Acid House — the legendary TB-303 acid squelch.
• Vocal House — enhanced soulful vocal aesthetics.
• Garage House — smooth, melodic, soulful house.
• Jackin House — funky, bouncy groove; heritage of “Jack your body”.

Chicago House is the root of all house culture.

Iconic Chicago House artists

• Frankie Knuckles — The Godfather of House Music.
• Marshall Jefferson — author of “Move Your Body”.
• Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers) — father of deep house.
• Jesse Saunders — creator of the first house release.
• Farley "Jackmaster" Funk — hitmaker of the Chicago explosion.
• Ron Hardy — energy, speed, experimentation.

Who is Chicago House for?

• Lovers of classic house
• Fans of disco, funk and soulful vocals
• DJs playing warm, groovy sets
• Those who appreciate vintage electronic aesthetics
• Everyone wanting to understand the origins of EDM and club culture

Chicago House has been energizing dancefloors for 40 years — and its influence continues to grow.

Chicago House on Minatrix.FM — what you’ll find

• A collection of legends — from Frankie Knuckles to Marshall Jefferson
• MP3 320 kbps — free listening
• An online mood-based player
• Weekly track updates

Feel the roots of house music — listen to Chicago House on Minatrix.FM

Chicago House is music of freedom, dance, and raw groove.
Dive into the world of classic house, listen to the best tracks, and discover the history of dance culture through its origins.

Chicago House — the music where it all began.