The Architect Of House Vol. 1

Still Music & Jerome Derradji Present - Chip E – The Architect Of House: Chicago 1984–88 (Volume 1)

Still Music, under the guidance of Jerome Derradji, proudly announces a landmark archival release celebrating one of house music’s true originators: Chip E. Titled The Architect Of House – Chicago 1984–88, this definitive series spans three double LP volumes, documenting the raw foundations and forward-thinking vision that helped shape an entire genre. 

Across these three carefully curated releases—complete with inserts—the story of Chip E, born Irwin Eberhart II, unfolds not just as a collection of records, but as a vital chapter in the birth of house music in Chicago.

Volume 1: Classics revisits the essential recordings that defined an era, including foundational works born from the energy of Chicago’s South Side and its early club circuit. These are the tracks that captured the moment when disco’s ashes gave rise to something entirely new—driven by drum machines, tape edits, and an uncompromising focus on the dancefloor. Chip E helped transform house music forever.

Chip E’s journey begins in 1979 when, at just 13 years old, a life-changing night on a Chicago dancefloor—soundtracked by the Chosen Few and the records played at underground loft parties—ignited a lifelong dedication to music. From his early days digging at Importes Etc., to crafting reel-to-reel edits for DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy, to releasing the seminal Jack Trax EP in 1985, Chip E played a pivotal role in codifying the language, sound, and culture of house music.

Tracks like “Time to Jack” and “It’s House” didn’t just move crowds—they helped define the very terminology and identity of the genre. Combining marketing instinct, technical ingenuity, and deep immersion in Chicago’s club ecosystem, Chip E helped transform a local movement into a global phenomenon.