The Chic production sound must be one of the most distinctive in disco, soul, funk... or pop music generally. Back when I was listening to commercial radio as a music-mad teenager in 1979/80, their records were omnipresent on the airwaves. It seemed that when one of their own songs just dropped out of the hit parade, it was replaced by a production for another act - be it Diana Ross, Sheila & B. Devotion or Sister Sledge - it was a constant stream of hits. When I heard songs like Norma Jean's 'High Society' (a solo release from one of Chic's singers) blasting out my transistor radio, I knew straight away it was an Edwards & Rogers production, their style was so instantly recognizable. Firstly the playing and sound of both the guitar and bass was a giveaway, along with the precise vocal phrasing, rippling piano and discreet string parts. If it was the 12" mix then the bass breakdown and slow instrumental build up in the second half of the record was also part of the blueprint. Generally, Chic songs eschewed ad-libs or long solos; the style is more defined with each instrument having an exact placing - including the vocals.
Records like 'Good Times' and 'We Are Family' weren't just big club hits - yes, they were massive on dance floors but they were also pop crossovers all around the world. What was noticeable to me back then was even the rock guys I was friendly with (who generally despised disco) quietly liked Chic and admired their rock solid playing and grooves. I guess the best music has this universal appeal, from the casual listener who knows nothing about the fine details of song writing and production right through to the hardcore muso players who hear and appreciate its intricacies.
Of course, with all this worldwide chart success came a lot of emulators who were inspired by Chic's stylish image, immaculately produced records and of course their commercial success. The period we are focusing on is toward the end of the disco era; so many producers were ditching the faster octave bassline euro disco style and looking for a new sound that was both club and radio-friendly. I've no idea how many records featured basslines inspired by 'Good Times', it was a game-changing groove, so it's probably in the 1000s. The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust' are maybe the most obvious examples in terms of commercial success - however, for this compilation, I wanted to dig a bit deeper and collect together some lesser-known songs which owe at least a modicum of their inspiration to Edwards and Rogers.
Italy's producer duo Mario Malavasi and Jaques Fred Petrus were highly influenced by Chic when they rebranded themselves as Change. Their debut single and UK pop hit 'A Lovers' Holiday', with its unison group vocal, was a dead ringer for the Chic sound and even used some of the same N.Y. session players. Throughout the early '80s there were many records that utilised a similar style of chord progression, obviously Nile-esque guitar, or that tight-tracked, clipped and histronic-free female vocal.
It may seem ridiculous now but Chic got quite a rough ride in the press at points, thanks to their instantly recognizable records' success, as well as a general hostility towards disco. Personally, I never tired of their music, but there were comments about "the formula wearing thin" and "it all sounds the same". I think we can definitely say the critics have been proved wrong - turn on any Saturday night dance radio show and you'll no doubt hear a few of their songs. Disco has become the "Motown" of our current era, the music that unifies generations at weddings or office parties.
"We Are Family" is up there with the greatest disco albums of all time, containing the title track, "Lost In Music", "Thinking of You" and "He's The Greatest Dancer". Chic productions continue to be sampled in modern dance music - I was out at a "Nu-Disco"-type night last year and heard 3 tracks during the evening based around their songs. Recently, Chic have been back on the road and their legacy as one of the greatest acts of the era has been cemented.
