*******Chicago house reflected the character of the city itself at the time. It was engaging, but it was also hard, no-nonsense stuff. Not even the love songs were sentimental. The tracks here crisscross several different styles, but everything takes on this steely, unwavering character. The frenetic, motorik rhythms, cyclical basslines, and minor-key synthesizer lines do not so much invite you to dance as command you, and they take a similar approach to sex. The best of the bunch here can still pull it off.*******