Originally released in 2014, Strut reissues Hardcore Traxx: Dance Mania Records 1986-1997, the ultimate retrospective of one of Chicago’s most influential and pioneering house music labels.
Rising as a raw alternative to giants like Trax and DJ International in the mid-‘80s, Dance Mania continued to represent the heartbeat of Chicago’s street-level club music throughout the ‘90s, playing a key role in the creation of the Ghetto House sound. Hardcore Traxx chronicles the label's full journey, starting from its prime years. Founded in 1985 and managed by Ray Barney from Barney’s Distribution HQ on Ogden Avenue (later relocating to West Roosevelt Road), Dance Mania made an immediate impact with its second release in ’86, the explosive Hardcore Jazz EP by Duane & Co. Barney quickly became a trusted outlet for early house and acid tracks by rising Chicago talents like Lil Louis, Marshall Jefferson, and Farley Keith (aka Farkey “Jackmaster” Funk).
The label made its mark with a series of iconic Chicago releases, including Hercules’ 7 Ways, Li’l Louis’ The Original Video Clash, and the international hit House Nation by Housemaster Boyz. Throughout the ‘80s, Dance Mania built a reputation for raw, no-frills club records and DJ tools, with sounds ranging from gritty garage (Victor Romeo’s Love Will Find A Way) and acid tracks (Robert Armani) to quality house (Da Posse).
By the ‘90s, Barney released the groundbreaking Hit It From The Back by Traxmen and Eric Martin, introducing a bold new sound marked by faster, stripped-down rhythms and explicit, party-centric lyrics. Barney recalls, “Guys used to call in and ask for music on Dance Mania – they’d say, ‘gimme some of that ghetto stuff’.” DJ Slugo, a key figure in the Ghetto House movement, adds, “When we made Ghetto House… we made music for the btches. Music for the grinding sht and all of that.” This raw, no-compromise sound sparked a wave of homegrown producers, including Paul Johnson, DJ Deeon, DJ Funk, DJ Milton, Waxmaster, and Slugo, who became central figures in the scene. The influence of Ghetto House reached far and wide, even inspiring Daft Punk, whose Teachers from their 1997 album Homework was a tribute to Dance Mania. This new wave of productions also set the stage for the rise of Chicago juke and footwork.
Now revitalized under the leadership of Ray Barney and Parris Mitchell, Dance Mania continues to be a pillar of Chicago’s dance music culture. With Hardcore Traxx, Strut delivers the ultimate homage to the label, offering a meticulously curated collection of its classics, Ghetto House anthems, and hidden gems. This release, produced in collaboration with Dance Mania and compiled by Conor Keeling (creator of the popular Daft Punk-inspired Teachers mix) with contributions from Miles Simpson of Ransom Note, also includes a vinyl edition featuring a detailed history of the label, artist interviews by DJ Chrissy Murderbot, and rare archival photos.

1a. Hercules– 7 Ways (Club)
2a. Victor Romeo Featuring Leetrece Brown
3a. Club Style– Crazy Wild
1b. Tim Harper– Toxic Waste (Club Mix)
2b. Vincent Floyd– I'm So Deep Mixed By – Armando
3b. 3 2 6– Falling (Armando's House Mix) Remix – Armando
1c. DJ Deeon– Da Bomb
2c. Parris Mitchell Project Featuring Wax Master – Ghetto Shout Out!!
3c. Traxmen & Eric Martin– Hit It From The Back
1d. DJ Funk – The Original Video Clash: Video Clash II (Street Mix)
2d. Paul Johnson – Feel My M.F. Bass
3d. Top Cat – Work Out