Chic “C’est Chic” « Cool Album of the Day

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Chic “C’est Chic”

Posted 22 Dec 2018 in 70s, Albums of 1978, Albums of the 70s, Dance, Funk, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#998 in the series) Chic, C’est Chic (Atlantic)

I have a feeling that this post might take a few people by surprise. What’s he doing here, isn’t this disco? Well, yeah, Chic indeed did have some disco hits, some huge disco hits. Who can forgot “Good Times” or “Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah? Or from this album, “Le Freak?”

The reason I bring a Chic album to this party is for one reason, talent. Not long ago I mentioned that Fleetwood Mac had a great rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. I do think that was one of the best for pop and of course for blues as well. However, if you want to talk about funk, well then it’s pretty darn hard to beat bassist Bernard Edwards and drummer Tony Thompson!

Bernard Edwards was a monster bass player. He died of pneumonia in 1996. He would most definitely leave his mark. Besides Chic, he also produced many albums for some of the top acts of his time. They include, Rod Stewart, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Debbie Harry, Nona Hendryx, Joe Cocker, Missing Persons, Air Supply, ABC, Jody Watley and of course, Power Station. Why do I say of course for Power Station? I say that because their drummer was Tony Thompson. I always loved his style. So you don’t have the Power Station album? I bet you know “Some Like It Hot, but if not, think of the great drum track on Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” or here’s one that might be a little closer to home. How about the drumming on David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album? (Omar Hakim also played on Let’s Dance.)

So now you can see the talent those two men had, yes had, Tony Thompson also is gone, he passed away in 2003 after battling kidney cancer.

I still haven’t even mentioned the name of the guitar player. He’s name was probably the most recognizable. That would be Nile Rodgers. Rodgers also made a huge name in production. In fact, he worked many times along with Bernard Edwards. Here’s a few more however, David Lee Roth, David Bowie, B-52’s, Vaughn Brothers, Depeche Mode, Philip Bailey, Thompson Twins, Southside Johnny and even Jeff Beck. Those are some unbelievable resumes.

So even if “disco” or more accurately, hard funk isn’t your bag, give this album a listen, but listen with a little different angle this time. Listen for the pure talent.

— Larry Carta