it’s no secret we’re huge Chic fans at The Sheen Resistance. Pretty much every set we play features at least one Chic tune or something else either produced or otherwise influenced by the amazing songwriting and production team of guitarist Nile Rodgers and bass player Bernard Edwards – so we thought it was about time we did a piece highlighting these incredible talents and the work they did with other artists. And to hear some of this stuff played loud, come to Lost in Disco in October.
Sister Sledge – Lost In Music (1979)
From the incredible ‘We are Family’ album that also included ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’, ‘Thinking Of You’, and of course the title track. Amazingly, the songs were all written before Edwards and Rodgers even met Sister Sledge.
The album that followed, ‘Love Somebody Today’ was also produced by Rodgers and Edwards, and is also packed full of gems. Sadly it was released in the middle of the disco backlash so didn’t achieve anything like the same recognition. Chic’s 2015 single ‘I’ll Be There’ was heavily based on ‘Got to Love Somebody’ from this album.
Norma Jean Wright – Saturday (1978)
Norma Jean was Chic’s first lead singer, appearing on early hits like ‘Everybody Dance’, and ‘Dance Dance Dance’ alongside Luther Vandross. Her first solo album was produced by Nile and Bernard, and gave us this beauty, very much in the vein of Chic’s ‘I Want Your Love’
Grace Jones – I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You) (1986)
The lead track from Jones’ album ‘Inside Story’, produced by Nile Rodgers, and written by Grace Jones & her frequent collaborator, Bruce Woolley.
Al Jarreau – Moonlighting (1987)
Few records evoke the mid-80s like this, the theme tune to the hugely successful TV show starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. This was written by Jarreau and Lee Holdridge, and produced by Nile Rodgers with a killer band that included The Average White Band’s incredible Steve Ferrone on drums and French jazz keyboardist Philippe Saisse.
Jody Watley – Don’t You Want Me (1987)
A big crossover dance hit in 1987, this was produced by Bernard Edwards and was the third single from Watley’s debut album after leaving Shalamar.
Madonna – Dress You Up (1984)
Dress You Up was the last song to be submitted for Like A Virgin, and also the final single from the album, which was largely produced by Rodgers, selected as producer after the huge success of ‘Let’s Dance.’
Sheila and B. Devotion – Spacer (1980)
Sheila’s 1980 album ‘King Of The World’ was one of four albums written and produced in its entirety by Rodgers and Edwards in 1980. Lead single ‘Spacer’ was a huge worldwide hit, using pretty much the entire Chic ensemble as the backing personnel with Sheila singing the lead.
Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out (1980)
‘Diana’ one of the other 1980 albums mentioned above, remains Diana Ross’ most successful recording, selling in excess of 10 million copies. It’s one of those records that always gets the dancefloor going whenever we play it.
Carly Simon – Why (1982)
Appearing on the soundtrack album to the movie ‘Soup For One’, but bizarrely not actually appearing in the film, ‘Why’ was a hit twice; first in 1982, then again in 1989. It has been covered and sampled frequently, most notably by A Tribe Called Quest on their single ‘Bonita Applebum’.
Robert Palmer – Addicted To Love (1985)
While Nile Rodgers was off with David Bowie and Madonna, Bernard Edwards produced Duran Duran offshoot The Power Station, fronted by Robert Palmer. Palmer had been a respected vocalist during the 70s with the great R&B act Vinegar Joe, but Power Station revitalised his profile and he capitalised on that with his solo album ‘Riptide’, also produced by Bernard Edwards, of which ‘Addicted To Love’ is by far the most memorable track.