Customer Reviews

Chic

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Mention the name "Chic" and the most common response is "Le Freak". True, this monster track had the public getting down on disco floors all across the USA, but it was not the 1st Chic tune to make it big.

Step back to the year before (1977) and you will find "Dance, Dance, Dance" on this album, which started it all.

This album is unique in the Chic catalog as it shows us the Chic sound as it is being fine-tuned into the precision, airy funk that characterized their next pair of (and 2 biggest) albums. It also happens to be the sole appearance by original vocalist Norma Jean Wright, who was later replaced by the equally capable Alfa Anderson.

The star of this album is definately Bernard Edwards bass tracks, which show off several facets of his playing style, from the hi-energy loping of "Dance, Dance, Dance", to the mellow jazzy flavor of "Sao Paulo" to virtuoso feel of "Everybody Dance". Bernard knew exactly what to put into a track to give it the proper feel, and, as usual, does this thoroughly on this album.

Guitarist Nile Rodgers' is rather subdued on this record (with the possible exception of "You Can Get By", but provides solid support throughout. If you are looking for some of Nile's more prominent guitar work, you should check out the "Real People" album instead.

Drummer Tony Thompson holds up the rythmic foundation with a solid, albeit unremarkable, groove which locks everything in place. As Chic's most underutilized member, you won't see a whole lot more than this until after Chic ventures away from disco in the "Take it Off" album.

As far as the tunes themselves go, "Chic" is their most stylistically varied album made until the aforementioned "Take it Off". "Dance, Dance, Dance" and "Everybody Dance" are your get-down stompers, "Sao Paulo" is one of thost jazz-wannabe tracks that occasionally pop up on Chic records, but differs from all the others in the fact that sax and flute are featured. The flute also appears on the funkier instrumental "Strike Up the Band". "You Can Get By" and "Est-ce Que C'est Chic" are rhythmic tracks where at least some attempt was made at delivering some meaningful lyrics. Chic also reveals a little soul in "Falling in Love with You".

Although it doesn't stand quite as tall as "C'est Chic" or "Risqué", Chic's debut effort stands on its own in the Chic catalogue, and is a much-have for understanding this band's musical origins.

Sure, there's the critically acclaimed Risque. And C'est Chic is probably the best selling album in Chic's illustrious career. But there's something dark and deep about Chic's self-titled debut that separates this album from subsequent Chic productions. Take the two hits Dance, Dance, Dance and Everybody Dance. Despite their earnest call to boogie, the melodies work harder, taking you to darker corners of the club. A certain sadness prevails, as if predicting the Death of Disco. Est Ce Que C'est Chic is similarly melancholic - Norma Jean's childish vocals weave gothic stories around the cryptic lyrics. And Sao Paulo is a gem - one of the best and the most underrated Chic compositions ever - jazzy, chilled out and way ahead of its time. Sophisticated, sultry and sad, 'Chic' is Chic's best album.

The eponymous album from Chic is not an especially strong lp, nor does it contain any must-have tracks (although the sensuous and sexy warm weather instrumental "Sao Paulo" comes close). It has two fairly good dance tracks, the singles "Dance Dance Dance" and "Everybody Dance." It is the only Chic album in which a third producer was involved with Rodgers and Edwards. It also appears to have been a fairly hasty affair, cobbled together after the surprise success of "Dance Dance Dance." It is worthwhile, however, from the point of view that it represents in chrysalis stage the talents of one of the most incredible bands in popular music since the big band era. The first single showed them showcasing the bassline in ways that didn't electronically alter it, as had been the practice in pop music. The second single, written by just the duo of Rodgers and Edwards, showed a leap forward in arrangement and songwriting. It represents the springboard into their stronger subsequent work, first with departing vocalist Norma Jean Wright on her self titled album, and then on the classic C'est Chic and Sister Sledge albums.

I WAITED FOR YEARS FOR THE ENTIRE ORIGINAL RECORDING TO BE ISSUED ON CD AND IT WAS WELL WORTH IT. "YOU CAN GET BY" IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DISCO HITS. WHEN I'M DRIVING I STILL PUT THIS DISC IN AND RIDE ON. I'VE PLAYED IT FOR SOME OF MY YOUNGER FRIENDS AND THEY THINK IT'S AS BAD AS I THOUGHT IT WAS BACK IN THE DAY. THE CD IS A DISCO CLASSIC.

This Album Showcases the Start of The CHic Sound.&what a Sound it is.Classic in the Pocket Bass&Guitar, tight drums&other instrumentation.this Band Created alot of Styles.they were more than a Dance Band.the Arrangements are really strong.The VOcals are Good as well.Worth Checking into.ALot of Fun&Groove.

This was the group along with the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack that made me start liking the disco sound. Chic just had their own unique style that separated the from the other artist during that time era. I was a pretty big fan of theirs. The suits and just the whole GQ look along with the two gorgeous lead singers was just hittin' on all cylinders. I really dug the sound that Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards put out.

When Chic's self titled debut release came out in 1977 it was trashed by critics for being formuliac.But it was just bad luck critically-'Chic' features three of the bands best songs including the classic "Dance,Dance,Dance"-even if disco isn't your thing that bass/guitar rhythm things that Rodgers/Edwards always get will keep you glued to the headphones.Same goes for "Everybody Dance"-THE BASS,THE BASS,THE BASS-Bernard Edwards was the all time KING of the funky disco electric bass and he can work a groove without nary a thought.With it's striking horn blasts,claivnet and Tony Thompson's steady beat "Strike Up The Band" is easily one of the purest slices of funk Chic have recorded.But wait-that is NOT it by a long shot.'Chic' is also home to the laid back jazzy instrumental "Sau Paulo",which even at this stage showcases the band's ace musicianship and if your playing George Benson or Spyro Gyra's music of the same vintage then slap this one on right after-you'll be right at home with this fine example of melodic pop jazz.In the meantime "Est-Ce Que C'est Chic" and "You Can Get By" find the band working out it's signiture sound and are great examples or sussinct,raw disco with little high production.And on "Falling In Love With You" the pretty singer Norma Jean works Chic's first ballad to death!So 'Chic' is an excellent album that is,yes worth more then a dance or two with it's strong disco ascotiation but if you slap it on headphones you'll find (especially with the aforementioned album tracks) that Chic are a very talented band who can please the ear on many levels.Ironically disco ended up being a very album oriented medium:mainly because it's elongated songs required that album cuts all sequed together (read:Donna Summer,Love & Kissess,etc).But Chic are nothing like either of those artists-they write often brief songs filled with heavy popcraft and great musical tunesmithing.And even if that doesn't do it for you alone then the sexually ambiguous album cover alone (is it two lesbians or two transvestites?),'Chic' is definately a record worth aquiring.

Look up the following site for where this & other Chic Cds have been re-issued thru (wounded bird records) they will sell this CD directly to you at a cost of 13.00 (not including shipping)