Chic-esque music.

[daviddiebel]

In the past year, I've discovered Chic and Edwards' and Rogers' outstanding production talent. Among the greats of course are:

Diana Ross' "Diana" album
Sister Sledge 1979 and 1980 albums
Sheila and B. Devotion "King of the World"
Norma Jean's self-titled album

Did the Chic organization have any other projects like these? I'm also trying to find "Chic-like" music from the time period.

Alcazar and Modjo have done some OK work with sampled Chic material, so if anyone knows others like this, I'd appreciate it.

[BrunoRepublic]

I would highly recommend Kleeer's "I Love To Dance" LP. While Chic had no involvement in this production, it has the classy arrangements, great performing and sophistication of Edwards/Rogers. The tunes aren't quite as immediately catchy, but they're less disposeable too. I've found Kleeer to be more solid and satisfying in the long run. Kleeer were also much better at ballads and mid-tempo numbers...

It's a great album. Brilliant from start to finish.

[DevP]

As far as Chic organization goes I think you may have covered most of the albums, except for.

Soup For One - soundtrack from the movie (1982)

But as far as Bernard and Nile as producers here are few of their solo projects:

Nile Rodgers:

Nile Rodgers - Adventures In The Land Of The Good Groove (1983)
David Bowie - Let's Dance (1983)
Madonna - Like A Virgin (1984)
Inxs - The Swing (1984)
Nile Rodgers - B-Movie Matinee (1985)
Grace Jones - Inside Story (1986)
Diana Ross - Workin' Overtime (1989)


Bernard Edwards:

Bernard Edwards - Glad To Be Here (1983)
Robert Palmer - Riptide (1985)
The Power Station - The Power Station (1985)
The Power Station - Living In Fear (1996)

As far as finding chic-like music from that time period, I don't think you'll do any better then with the disco group Change. They emulated the Chic sound so well that most people had a tough time figuring out who was Chic and who was Change.

Just check out these songs by Change and see what I mean:

A Lover's Holiday (1980)
Paradise (1981)
Hold Tight (1981)
Change Of Heart (1984) sounds a little like "My Forbidden Lover" by Chic
Let's Go Together

If you wish to do some more research on Chic just go to the fan site www.chictribute.com. Hope this helps.

DevP

[QUINNY]

I always felt Kenny Lehman managed to ape the chic sound really well. Check out Lemon's, A-Freak-A , one of the very best disco records IMO and Manhattan Fever (Hut Sa, Hut Sa) by Sugar. The latter is fairly rare though.

[BrunoRepublic]

I always felt Kenny Lehman managed to ape the chic sound really well. Check out Lemon's, A-Freak-A , one of the very best disco records IMO and Manhattan Fever (Hut Sa, Hut Sa) by Sugar. The latter is fairly rare though.

Well, Lehman was originally in Chic, so that explains part of it :)

But thanks for the reminder. Lehman's output is generally quite light-hearted (or silly, depending on your point of view). I quite like Lemon's "Freak On" single on Salsoul. Roundtree's "Roller Disco" LP is uneven, but has the gems "Get On Up (Get On Down)" and "Manhattan Fever" -- the latter of which actually uses the bass track from one of Chic's early tunes. BTW Quinny, is this a different version of the same song as the one you're referring to, or another number entirely?

[Forrrce]

There's a 12" on Canadian Black Sun by Chad, featuring GG Gibson called 'C'Est Si Bon' from 1981. It's basically 'My Forbbiden Lover'. You may also want to look out for 'Easy Money' by She, it's a version of the Dee Dee Sharp Gamble favourite and sounds tres Chic.
The other way to approach this is to think about the bucketloads of records that ripped off 'Good Times' for the following few years - so many incorporated that '1-2-3' style bass riff. It probably changed the face of disco a little more than we realise.

[QUINNY]

Roundtree's "Roller Disco" LP is uneven, but has the gems "Get On Up (Get On Down)" and "Manhattan Fever" -- the latter of which actually uses the bass track from one of Chic's early tunes. BTW Quinny, is this a different version of the same song as the one you're referring to, or another number entirely?[/quote]

(Forrrce:) ahem, obviously got my wires crossed Graham. We've been down this road before and I think we came to the conclusion that it was probably the Roundtree track but under a different name for legal/contractural reasons at the time. I have it on a 7" on UK Power Exchange, although I believe 12's do exist. The B side was 'Ochos Rios' BTW.

[Boogie Child]

There's also the CHIC-produced solo album by Blondie's Deborah Harry from 1980. This collaboration is not very successful; however, the first single and 12-inch , "Backfired", is pure CHIC!

[Marcio**]

Norma Jean's self-titled album

It's a big surprise and it's true. Norma Jean was produced by Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards and the album's hit was "Saturday" (Bernard Edwards/Nile Rodgers/Bobby Carter).

...

[efunk_adelic]

As far as Chic organization goes I think you may have covered most of the albums, except for.

Soup For One - soundtrack from the movie (1982)

They emulated the Chic sound so well that most people had a tough time figuring out who was Chic and who was Change.

Just check out these songs by Change and see what I mean:

A Lover's Holiday (1980)
Paradise (1981)
Hold Tight (1981)
Change Of Heart (1984) sounds a little like "My Forbidden Lover" by Chic
Let's Go Together

I believe Heaven Of My Life by Change also from the Miracles LP (1981) sounds like a Chic Song :)

[Leatherman]

As Chic were one of the most successfull and distinctive disco acts and were copied / ripped off many times. As far as there own productions Carly Simon's "Why" is a good if poppy Chic classic - it from the Soup for One sountrack. Also Norma Jean did a another 12" not on her LP called "High Society" - this was sampled by Stella Browne on "Every Woman Needs Love".

Change sound just like Chic for the first 2 LP's. Latter they copied the Jam and Lewis sound.

Narada Micheal Walden sounds pretty Chic-y on his Dance of Life/Victory LP's. They drafted him in to replace Chic to produce Sister Sledge on All American Girls.

[Boogie Child]

Later in their career, Change did not copy the Jam/Lewis sound - the group was actually produced by Jam/Lewis, starting with "Change of Heart".

[MPS]

Of course Lemon has the Chic sound, since Kenny Lehman was the producer. Kenny Lehman produced the first Chic album, from 1977. Kenny Lehman also produced Roundtree/Sugar (I think Roundtree was the name for the american market, and Sugar for the UK/European market, this because of the pressings I've seen). Actually, on the tune "Manhattan Fever", which has the same bass line as Chic's "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)", it is Bernard Edwards that plays bass! No wonder it's similar... and also Kenny Lehman has produced both records...

Apart from Chic's own tunes, and the Chic produced stuff, I think there is only one tune that really sounds chic-ish: Joe Thomas "Plato's Retreat"! It has the typicall Chic female voices, and the chicy bass line, as well as the overall sexy, funky disco sound of 1978...

[QUINNY]

Apart from Chic's own tunes, and the Chic produced stuff, I think there is only one tune that really sounds chic-ish: Joe Thomas "Plato's Retreat"! It has the typicall Chic female voices, and the chicy bass line, as well as the overall sexy, funky disco sound of 1978...

MPS: Can't really agree with you on this one. It's just plain old slick '78 disco music Where's the hallmark bass (I can't hear it) or guitar sounds of Chic?

One thing has struck me. Maybe Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers stole the Chic sound from Kenny Lehman and not the other way around. What do you guys think?

[martinus]

Metropole:" Miss Manhattan". It is on P.B.I. Rec. (they also released "Love Rescue" from The Project). It can also be found on Studio 54 Vol 3 Compilation on Derby Rec. Italy.

[Leanmean]

This is an obvious one and I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet: The BB & Q Band's "On the Beat." It sounds almost exactly like Chic. That song still sounds fresh to me.

[Marcio**]

Yowsah,yowsah,yowsah , Ben Bernie criated this phrase on the radio in the 20's.
Besides Chic's "Dance,Dance,Dance(Yowsah,Yowsah,Yowsah)", Sandy Mercer gets back this phrase on the disco song "Play With Me".


...

[SandraDee]

Tracks that I personally think were influenced by the Chic sound include:

'Ill Do My Best' - Ritchie Family
'Try It Out' - Gino Soccio
'Dont You want My Lovin' - Wanda Walden
'Heartache no.9' - Delegation
'Dont Sneak On Me' - Michael Zager
'On Top' - Change
'I Want Your love To Last' - Hi Gloss
'Last Night a DJ Saved My Life' - Indeep
'Its Good to be the King' - Mel Brooks (bizarre i know but its only my opinion! :) )

[martinus]

Chic-esque vocals:
-First Love: "Don't Say Goodnight","It's a Mystery To Me"
-High Fashion. "Feelin Lucky" LP (like Change)
-Touche: "Like a Doorknob"
Chic-esque production:
Ritz: "Dance Until You Drop", "Wake Up Nights" are from the Delegation producers.

[Disco Funk]

'Heartache no.9' - Delegation

I just got my hands on the LP with this track, which is just called 'Delegation', from 1980, and most of the uptempo tracks sound Chic-esque, with the exception that they have horns ALONG with strings (reference Remicks' infamous We Are Family thread). Heartache No.9, Darlin (I Think About You) sound the most like Chic, while the track You And I sounds slightly Chic-y.

Disco Funk

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

"Roller Disco" LP is uneven, but has the gems "Get On Up (Get On Down)" and "Manhattan Fever" -- the latter of which actually uses the bass track from one of Chic's early tunes. BTW Quinny, is this a different version of the same song as the one you're referring to, or another number entirely?

Forrrce:) ahem, obviously got my wires crossed Graham. We've been down this road before and I think we came to the conclusion that it was probably the Roundtree track but under a different name for legal/contractural reasons at the time. I have it on a 7" on UK Power Exchange, although I believe 12's do exist. The B side was 'Ochos Rios' BTW.

COLLECTORS' ALERT!
The 12" of Roundtree's "Get On Up (Get On Down"), on OMNI Records, has "Ocho Rios" on the b-side. (I LOVE "Ocho Rios"! It's a completely string lead instrumental. With tons of awesome syncopation and arpeggios.) But when Warner Brothers picked it up for distribution, they dropped "Ocho Rios" from the b-side. I believe they replaced it with a radio edit of "Get On Up..."

[RobbaDobba]

One thing has struck me. Maybe Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers stole the Chic sound from Kenny Lehman and not the other way around. What do you guys think?

After reading "Chic - Everybody Dance: The Politics of Disco", I am lead to believe the same thing.

This is an obvious one and I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet: The BB & Q Band's "On the Beat." It sounds almost exactly like Chic. That song still sounds fresh to me.

It should sound like Change as well...'cause it basically IS Change on a different label with a different name.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

This is an obvious one and I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet: The BB & Q Band's "On the Beat." It sounds almost exactly like Chic. That song still sounds fresh to me.

It should sound like Change as well...'cause it basically IS Change on a different label with a different name.

Change, BB & Q Band and High Fashion were 3, funky-80's reincarnations of those "Little Macho Music" and "Goody Music" guys, Malavasi and Petrus, who gave us The Peter Jacques Band, Macho, Revanche, NUGGETS, Theo Vaness' 2nd LP, etc..., in the late 70's.

They were (along with Gino Soccio and Guiliano Salerni, for example) one of the small handful of Disco Producers who managed to successfully change-with-the-times and survive the Disco backlash, by dropping the tempo and simplifying the arrangements. (comparison: Prelude, Salsoul, or West End's early 80's releases.)

My personal favourite (which, after 26 years, I still insinctively reach for, whenever I'm down) is High Fashion's "Feelin' Lucky Lately". (Capitol Records 12" / 1982) I know this sounds really hokey, but the song always lifts my spirits and gives me a sense of 'Hope'.

[remicks]

My personal favourite (which, after 26 years, I still insinctively reach for, whenever I'm down) is High Fashion's "Feelin' Lucky Lately". (Capitol Records 12" / 1982) I know this sounds really hokey, but the song always lifts my spirits and gives me a sense of 'Hope'.

:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

Well hell ..... let's get this platter spinning then !!

Start this day off RIGHT !!:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:




******

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

Well hell ..... let's get this platter spinning then !!

Start this day off [I]RIGHT !!:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

Thanks Remy :icon_smile:
A overcome with a sense of Joy.
It's gonna be a good day.
Even if watching the clip made me late for work.:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol: