C'est Chic

“C’est Chic” by Chic (1978) R&B/early disco, with lyrics basically consisting of “I want you, baby; Let’s dance!” and other inane dance club pickup lines. But the music is very well done, if you can get past the New York City Club 54 pretentiousness. Excellent lilting bass and feathery guitar, if somewhat excessively repetitive. “Savoir Faire” displays some nice rhythmic variations, and fine jazz lead guitar solo. This track is really the highlight of the album. This album makes me want to dance, but it’s 5:37am, and I got nobody. Overall, good. 3/5

Can't deny the instrumentation is good and there's obviously a few classics but every song also felt like it was 10 minutes too long.

Amazing. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve owned this for like 7 years, and I have somehow never listened to it front to back. This is what I imagine heaven sounds like. On the B side, I stood up on three separate occasions b/c I thought that the song was so good, that it must be their grand finale. Every time there was an even better song waiting in the wings

Classic disco record. Fun, catchy tunes, great production, killer bass and guitars here and there. Le Freak is great. At the same time, there are repetitive, easily consumable songs that are often longer than they should be.

If I didn't give this album five stars, you would know I had been kidnapped and forced to give a different vote. I sometimes like to play Chic or edits of Chic in my dj sets and the impact they have had on disco with this album is insane. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live, and I will say this listen brought back happy memories. Thank you Rodgers and Edwards

this one i get it. list of 1000 albums? sure, it makes the cut.

Why everyone, before they die, should spend what felt like 20 minutes listening to a lady repeating "I can hardly see what's in front of me" in a dramatic voice is insane to me. I guess it's a decent dance album, but every track is double the length it needed to be, and absolutely nothing happens or evolves.

Nile Rodgers is God

Classic disco album, great for getting up and dancing to and singing along to.

I can see why everyone was getting pregnant in the 80s

One thing I'd like to note right out of the gate is how nice this record is produced. At least through my headphones, the bass is some of the best I've heard. You can hear the spring of the strings clear as day. Gorgeous, and really adds a lot to the music. That being said, sometimes the tracks can drag a little, but I think they're mostly made to dance to, and not to be as focused, critically, as I am on them. A few are also slightly interchangeable, sound-wise. Still, good, funky, fun. Favorite tracks: "I Want Your Love", "Sometimes You Win", "(Funny) Bone"

I wasn't familiar with CHIC until this listen, aside from obviously being familiar with guitarist, and band co-founder, Nile Rodgers, and the song "Le Freak". I haven't listened to "Le Freak" in its entirety but after hearing it now, it's quite the elegant disco track. Pristine mixing, ear-wormy vocals, and glammy strings partnered with a killer groove, it's everything I wanted from a record like this. I guess all that applies to most of this album, there were quite a handful of highlights. "Savoir Faire" is an outright gorgeous instrumental track that encapsulates a blissful city-night feeling in its repetitive, yet continuously enjoyable 5-minute run time. "I Want Your Love" sparks a similar feeling within me with a particularly enjoyable outro. I also generally love the vocals on this album, mostly performed by Alfa Anderson. My favorite would be the vocal melody on "At Last I am Free" about being so free that you can't even see it in front of you. That particular melody repeats throughout the entire second half of the song before slowly fading out; it's beautiful. "Sometimes You Win" is a particularly wholesome track lyrically speaking. Overall, the formula on all these songs is very similar; thick basslines, plucked rhythm guitar, string segments, light piano, and emotive lead vocals. I personally really enjoy this formula and it makes me wonder why Disco gets such a bad rep, perhaps it gets repetitive but in its nearly 40-minute runtime, I never really felt that way (aside from maybe the subpar closer). This is a wholesome album that's very spacious and manages to be patient while still filling out the entirety of its sonic space with gorgeous instruments. I haven't listened to much 70s disco but this feels like a gold standard for the genre. It's an album you can just lay back to and breathe for a bit. 8/10

groovy

It's good fun to listen to, nice and funky. It's always cool to hear these classic albums and find songs you've always known about but never known the name or artist (Le Freak), or songs that have been sampled elsewhere (Chic Cheer). Doesn't blow me away though, but i'm not mad about getting it.

Yasssss bitch C'est chic la Disco. Ca groove en sequin dress dans la cuisine!!!

Legendary disco album. Bernard Edwards <3

Perfectly funky and groovy. Didn't really like At Last I Am Free, but the rest of the album had me boogieing.

Disco fever!

Good dance album, not really much going for it other than that. A lot of the songs tend to drag on and are pretty one dimensional. My least favorite of the albums I've listened to so far. Favorite Tracks: Happy Man, Sometimes You Win

super groovy!

Album starts out hot af. Bass is bumping and the vibe is groovy. I've, of course, heard of the second song on the album. It's well-known for a good reason. It's groovy and the inclusion of orchestral instruments really adds to it. Man, the album keeps it up as the songs go along. Each one has great vibes. 10/10.

Niles Rodgers bops. Pretty groovy stuff. About what you expect with I want your love and freak out on it.

Accidentally listened to this on repeat all night and enjoyed it the whole time, good stuff

"C'est Chic" is the second studio album by American R&B band Chic. The music genre isclassified as disco, funk and R&B. I'd add a little bit of jazz too. It was produced by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards and was their most successful album peaking at #4 in the US and #2 in the UK. A crowd cheer and horns open "Chic Cheer." The groove sets in. Nile Rodgers' guitar and Bernard Edwards' deep bass. The whole band and others are singing a repeated "Chic, Chic." Let's party! Awwwwww..Freak Out and we're off with "Le Freak." Now this would be at the very top of my list if you had me name a disco song. Great production with the groove, horn and strings. "Savoir Faire" is lush with strings. A prominent bass. I would categorize this as jazz with the guitar. And a guitar jam too. The familiar bells, horns and bass announce their second big single "I Want Your Love." Smooth. The much-copied "scratchy" Niles Rodgers' guitar. Alfa Anderson killing it on the vocals repeating "I Want Your Love." Almost a Sister Sledge song. A great deeper cut is "At Last I Am Free." This is slower, a ballad, with strings and piano. One of the best songs on the album. The album ends similar to how it began with crowd noise on the mostly instrumental "(Funny (Bone)." A disco/R&B jam. There's disco. There's what I would call R&B nowadays. There's a ballad. There's a jazz song. There's the much copied Nile Rodgers' guitar sound. The songs are in the five to minute range and most of the songs get a great groove going. There's a lot to like here.

5 Fun fact about me: I’m a bigger disco fan than I let on. There’s something about the cliché guitar patterns and orchestras and funnnnky bass lines that I love. This would be workout music for me, if I was the type of person that took proper care of themselves. It’s uptempo, it’s iconic, and so sleek and cool. The songs run a little long but even then I couldn’t stop dancing. I was prepared to listen for as long as it would go. I can just imagine myself doing chores listening to this album and having an absolute blast. I definitely didn’t care for the repeated overuse of the band name as lyrics, I’ve always found that lame no matter who does it. The tender but skillful instrumentals were a welcome surprise too. All in all this was a really fun listen that I will absolutely listen to again. Favorites: Chic Cheer, Le Freak, Savior Faire, Happy Man, Sometimes You Win,(Funny) Bone

If I were at a party, I wouldn't mind if this album played for five hours straight. Listening to it at home does not feel like the proper setup, but still, it makes me wonder what would be of music as we know it today if it weren't for Nile Rodgers. Overall good, but gets a bump up for being so influential.

Chic. Nile Rogers. Excellent.

One of the few albums on this list that I’ve felt compelled to listen to twice in a row. A great disco album altogether, though it could benefit from slightly more experimentation or variation. 9

it was blumming great

Surprisingly, this album has quite a few bangers in it. I though Le Freak would be a one hit wonder, but there was a lot of style in this album.

This album was awesome, just that guitar and bass, how do you not love that. Funky and blissful. Must-listen #160.

Apparently, this journey has revealed to me that I'm a Disco fan. This had me dancing in the morning while driving. FREAK OUT! Favorite Track: "Le Freak".

really fun and groovy instrumentals.

Thats how discos should sound like! After listening to World Clique by Deee-Lite this album really made my world click. Its funky, groovy and souly. The Instrumentals are obvious what makes this album shine and the lyricism are okay but not outstanding. (4.0/5.0)

Smooth, groovy and love the guitar solos. At Last I Am Free is far too long and gets boring.

Groovy

This is #day102 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge and... here's to some sheer class late '70s disco. Funky, groovy, jazzy... I've never heard this one before, but that was finger-licking good. It's a solid 4 out of 5 this time around. Looking forward to #day103.

Don't really have a bad word to say about this. It's a tight 8 tracks of funky Chic vibes. It's not a 5 for me as there isn't really any real stand-outs on here for me, but a very solid album. Fave Tracks: Le Freak, I Want Your Love, Sometimes You Win 4.2/5

Great stuff, some of their best tunes [EDIT - busy day, basic review but I did end up purchasing this]

Album still sounds amazing and apparently it has the foundational grooves that all of hip hop is based on?

The first song was unbearable - but the everything past that was surprisingly enjoyable. Didn’t think it would catch my attention like it did. I may listen to it again.

Wow - so much more than a "dance" album. I am old nought remember this on the AM/FM song plays. Some other info that should have also gotten air time besides "I Want Your Love" and "Le Freak" FREAK OUT!!!

Very 70s but in a fun way

This is before the "Disco Sucks" movement but unfortunately as I understand it CHIC's continued success was stopped pretty dead when the movement started. I think this is a shame, it could have been cool to hear what this pretty solid base would have developed into Standouts Le Freak I Want Your Love 3/5

Who doesnt know the first two songs? Funk to r and b. Entertaining 3.5

Funky, groovy, smooth. Not many huge standouts but an easy ride throughout. (3.5 stars)

Very groovy. The instrumental Savoir Faire a highlight.

I had to have a tooth extracted today, it sucked, but this was a fun soundtrack that bookended that experience.

I had a 'Death Before Disco' T-shirt way back in the day, although I would have ditched it for a night out at Studio 54. Some classic hits on this album.

C'est Chic is the second studio album by Chic, originally released in 1978. This is right around the era that funk/R&B began to turn disco. Most people know the song "Le Freak", which is such a banger. Sure to get people out on the dancefloor. Most of the other tracks don't reach the same heights, but still make you want to dance. The production on this record is so good, as was the standard with most late-70s records. The bass player on here is such a beast. Just laying out those funky riffs. Although this sounds pretty dated, it was still a fun listen.

I enjoyed this more than I should have. Yes it’s disco but great playing, great production and not obnoxious. Savoir faire instrumental may have been my favorite. A part of me wants to give it 4 stars but I won’t.

Meh. Disco doesn't bother me but it's not usually very memorable, either.

Le freak kennig Flowig insgesamt

The music is groovy and lively, but MAN IS IT REPETITIVE. I found myself at multiple points checking the remaining time on a track only to find that it still has another 2 minutes remaining. I can only listen to someone say "I'm a happy man" so many times before getting sick of it. Overall, a fine album, but I wouldn't actively attempt listening to it again.

“Le Freak” is timeless, but what of the rest? The opener’s alright. The hinterland between soul, disco and yacht rock has “Savoir Faire” as its capital: some immense vocal effort, or maybe a Kraftwerk power unit would raise it up; the guitar solo is a butterfly where an afterburner is needed. “Happy Man” is as interesting as the experience of someone telling you they’re a happy man could be. “I Want Your Love” is inarguably fab and makes me realise how most of the preceding songs missed Alfa Anderson’s vocals, which rule without effort, and redeem the long instrumental outro when they drop back in. She can’t redeem the mawkishness of “At Last I’m Free”, though, quite a yawn. “Sometimes You Win” is better, but not by much. The closer is an extended piece of nothing. My review references a CD generously donated by Kevin Rowland. I am grateful this record is on this list, as I doubt the other gift, “The Very Best Of The Blow Monkeys”, will come up. The Wikipedia wormhole this sent me on was fun. Simon, are The Power Station any good?

Funk at its best. Nile Rogers is one of the best bass players around. Every song jumps off the speakers and makes you grab your dancing shoes.

Five disco balls, no question. Every track is drenched in style, confidence, and groove. “Le Freak” brings the party, “I Want Your Love” turns it romantic, and “Savoir Faire” is pure silk. I was born too late to rule the disco floor, but this album lets me pretend otherwise. 🪩✨

Had to get up and dance.

1. At first I didn't know who CHIC was, and then I heard Le Freak and immediately realized that it was "that" band 2. Damn apparently they are still touring? Or at least touring very recently 3. Seems like 2 of the 3 main members have had a hand in A LOT of popular music for decades 4. I'm sad that this is yet another "short" album, only 8 songs and 41 minutes. Why can't THIS be the 2 hour album?? 5. Nile Rodgers really knows how to get around the music business and I'd actually heard of his name before but never knew he was a member of this band 6. I definitely know a few of these songs, but also don't know a number of them as well 7. The guitar backings of Rodgers is top fucking tier (also very reminiscent of recent songs he's featured in, man's still got it) 8. Savoir Faire I quite like for the background music despite the lack of vocals 9. While not every song in this album is a certified banger, the overall vibe and quality is definitely the best I've heard so far in all the albums we've listened to (one that I'd assuredly say deserves the "1001 albums to listen to" title 10. At Last I Am Free is my least favorite due to the generally slow nature and less "dance" vibes 11. Of the songs I wasn't already familiar with, Savoir Faire was my favorite 12. Fun little language tidbit, but "chic" has the same etymological roots as "chicanery" despite them being almost entirely different words nowadays

Incroyable.

A classic. Danceable at any time. The guitar is incredible and drives every track. The blue print for a lot sounds I enjoy to this day.

Amazing bass playing. This is definitely going into my regular rotation.

After a pile of steaming shit from Rod Stewart, I get one of the best albums ever. Inconsistent, much?

I listen to the song Le Freak when I vote

Legendarisch. Opeens was ik het album voor een 2e keer aan het luisteren

Funky, well-produced, timeless

Nada a acrescentar, 5 estrelas . Até as baladas R&B são ótimas !

keep the nile rodgers coming

Excellent album

free cow

Unreal album

Excelente álbum. Los temas son largos y repetitivos pero fluyen sin problema. De hecho el álbum se terminó mucho antes de lo que esperaba. Me gusta que tienen momentos instrumentales y distintas atmósferas. La grabación y la ejecución musical es muy buena. Por supuesto no es una obra muy reflexiva, se trata más de pasar un buen momento y bailar, ya que es música pensada para eso.

Funky fun - gets slightly repetitive but to be honest it’s very enjoyable to just jam out to the vibe for a while.

This rips. Rogers/Edwards were an incredible team of songwriters and players. Rogers' effects on popular music cannot be understated (RIP Edwards). Sure, the album is a bit repetitive. But that's entirely the point. It's a dance record. A funky-as-hell, incredibly performed one at that. An easy 5/5.

I now fully appreciate how groovy this whole album is. Great bass playing. The strings are a really nice touch. The whole album just feels so familiar, like it was always playing from before I could retain memories

One of the greatest disco and pop records of the 1970s and an incredible showcase of talent from Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards. I love the story behind Le Freak, a song written on NYE when Nile and Bernard were unable to get into Studio 54. The original words were "fuck off!"

Disco excelente, con un creador de hits instantáneos como Neil Rodgers

Fun! Matched my mood today so it gets a 5 over a 4

🕺🕺🕺

funk!

ОБОЖАЮ CHIC

Fire

Love chic so underrated

funky fresh, very relaxing and enjoyable, reminded me of daft punks random access memories

Loved it

Perhaps a slightly underwhelming opening track, but as soon as that bassline kicks in on Le Freak, you don't look back. Whilst it's the two singles that you hear wherever you go (and no doubt we will for the next 50 years and beyond, too) this is a great collection of tracks. Chic *are* disco, and Nile Rodgers has contributed to some of the very best pop music out there. I enjoyed the slower, more expansive tracks too - didn't Alfa Anderson have a beautiful voice? C'est Chic is iconic, shiny and fabulous; influential; funky and enjoyable as heck. And they could *really* play - let's all give thanks for Bernard - that incredible bass riffing on Happy Man being just one example of what a funky bass can do for a three-chord motif. He was the man.

Didn't know what to expect and genuinely loved this - such feel-good music that I'll come back to on grey days!

EVERYTHING!!

perfection. no need for comments

Amazing and timeless record, the songs, the vibes are immaculate, pure joy from start to finish, disco and soul in a package that transcends time. So good.

Even someone who doesn't like music has heard Le Freak at least once in their life. This song is embedded in pop culture and everyone's imagination. It's truly a legendary song, made by an equally legendary band, who's never released a bad song. Is it possible to give it more than 5 stars?

After the first song which I didn't enjoy I was skeptical, but it turned out really solid

What can I say. I love a dance album.

Rating this album lower than a 5 is Anti-Black btw

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA FREAK OUT

I enjoyed this album. The last few days have been difficult, and this upbeat album helped my mood.

Lovely stuff

Favorites: Le Freak, Savoir Faire, I Want Your Love “Remember, the whole world is a circus… Don’t be the clown!” Aw, man this is some fantastic disco. Incredible grooves and harmonies with some of the smoothest songs you’ll ever hear. I adore this record!

Slightly concerned I'm falling into the trap of "I know this, I like this, its a 5", but I'm once again finding Nile Rodgers providing an album with such strong singles they do prop up the whole album. I had fun start to finish, and I like French house so every 30 seconds is another sample recognised.

Nice pop.