Trax Records and DJ International were the primary Chicago house labels that distributed the music to New York and London

Most defining Chicago house tracks were released on two independent labels: Trax Records (co-founded by Screamin’ Rachael) and DJ International Records. Both labels distributed outside Chicago, spreading house to New York and London. Trax co-founder Screamin’ Rachael described the music as ‘a combination of punk and industrial with a really great 4x4 dance beat.’ The ‘Jack Trax’ compilations starting in 1987 made rare US house records cheaply available in Europe. Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s ‘Jack Your Body’ (1987) became the first house record to reach #1 on the UK Singles Chart. Knowing these two labels allows crate-diggers to identify canonical Chicago house records.

Examples

Trax Records: Phuture ‘Acid Tracks,’ Larry Heard ‘Can You Feel It,’ Mr Fingers tracks. DJ International: Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley ‘Jack Your Body.’ Jack Trax compilations: European entry point for US house records.

Assessment

Name the two primary Chicago house labels, name one key release from each, and explain why they were significant for the international spread of house music.