The double-disc collection Chicago 2018: It's Gonna Change celebrates the city's eclectic music scene. Strangely enough, it was compiled by Germany's Clearspot label, but perhaps an outsider's perspective was necessary to prevent the collection from seeming too self-congratulatory. At any rate, Chicago 2018 gives a fine overview of some of the city's most prominent post-rock and jazz artists, including Ken Vandermark 5, Eternals, Joshua Abrams, and NRG Ensemble. Bobby Conn's "The Whistler" and his collaboration with Jim O'Rourke, "California," showcase his unique, theatrical avant-funk and pop kitsch, while Tortoise's "Jetty '99," Sam Prekop's "The Afternoon," and O'Rourke's "Never Again" present the innovative, deceptively smooth sound that helped define post-rock. Freakwater's "All Life Long Remix," Isotope 217's "Luh," and Mick Turner's "Sunny Xmas Day" are some of the set's other highlights. Though most of the material is previously released, Chicago 2018: It's Gonna Change remains a worthwhile portrait of the closely knit yet diverse artists from one of the most vital cities in American music. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide