Chic – Original Album Series

Great band with excellent rhythm section that was a huge inspiration on early 80s pop and beyond. Then you have the great hooks and superb guitar chops of Nile Rogers. It’s seductive and essential music for any pop/dance fan. This 5 CD set is ridiculous value for money. It’s a pity the rest of the catalog isn’t here but they were in decline by 1981 anyway. I presume these albums are remastered as they’re articulate and punchy.
On my Technics SL-P550 with Pioneer DJ headphones it’s an absolute pleasure.

Chic played a hugely important part in the history of disco music. Their back story is too long for me to go into and can be easily found ("Le Freak" has just been written by Nile Rodgers), so we start with the music. "Chic", with its deliciously disco cover image, features their first transatlantic top ten hit "Dance Dance Dance". This was a huge hit in 1977. The equally fabulous "Everybody Dance" followed it becoming a No.9 hit in UK and 38 in the USA. "Sao Paolo" is a breezy, Brazilian style instrumental. "You Can Get By" is a jaunty little number with horns blazing and Niles and 'Nards guitars chopping up against each other. "Strike Up The Band" is a funk workout. "Est-Ce Que C'est Chic" is one of two that I hadn't heard before and I like it! It is rather catchy and it's been in my head since hearing it...finally "Falling In Love With You" is a pleasant yet underwhelming ballad. All in all, this is a very good album...

"C'est Chic" was when the group hit the big time. "Le Freak" is still one of the most popular dance songs - ever, and is genius, what can I say? It was #1 for weeks and weeks in 1978. The other big hit from this album was the equally brilliant "I Want Your Love" which is a haunting, rueful kind of song featured here in it's full length version. As far as I am aware they were the only two singles from this lp, but "At Last I Am Free" is a nice slower song that is a bit dirgy but one I like. "Savior Faire" shows off the talented pairs guitar playing. "Happy Man" is a new one to me and another I really like: I like the feel of the song and the quirky synthesiers. "Funny Bone" is a bit funky, whilst not being mindblowing and "Sometimes You Win" is a so-so ballad.

"Risque" (1979) was also a megahit for the band. Featuring the classic, oft sampled "Good Times" (another #1), it also features two other classics: "My Forbidden Lover" is one of the groups very best, and "My Feet Keep Dancing" (this one went to UK21, US101) so while not a megahit, it's one I have always enjoyed, especially the tap dancing part and that bubbling bass..."Will You Cry" is a drawn out ballad that I enjoy. "A Warm Summer Night" is nothing special and "Can't Stand to Love You'' is also a filler.

"Real People" came out in 1980 and reflected a sad reality: disco was on it's way out, and fast. From here on in, Chic's chart postitons declined rapidly and I'm sorry to say the quality of the music did too. Off "Real People" the only songs worth mentioning are the title track, a minor hit, "Chip Off The Old Block", a funky little number with glorious strings, and "Open Up."

"Take It Off" (1981) is easily the groups low spot. Only the title track, which would have featured well on the worlds cooler nightclub floors in that year, and "Burn Hard" are worth mentioning.

All in all though, despite the filler, Chic's output and influence cannot be denied. For 20 dollars, this is a must have for any disco lover, and all versions are in their original form, thank God Rhino didn't chop any of them down. The packaging is simple: cardboard sleeves with the original artwork retained and that is fine. If you are new to Chic, or only know "Le Freak" and "Good Times" this is a great introduction. It comes not long after an anthology was released, which is too expensive for me at the moment, and also the release of "Norma Jean" by Norma Jean Wright, a Chic vocalist on the Edsel label. One thing worth mentioning: the vocals here are of the classic kind: Luther Vandross, David Lasley, Alfa Anderson, glorious black vocals that just isn't around anymore. My feet keep dancing...