Chic-Ism CD

Chic: Sylver Logan Sharp, Jenn Thomas (vocals); Nile Rodgers (guitar, vocals); Bernard Edwards (bass, vocals).
Additional personnel: Princesa (rap); Steve Elson (soprano, tenor & baritone saxophones); Stan Harrison (alto & tenor saxophones); Mac Gollehon (trumpet, flugelhorn); Richard Hilton (keyboards, programming); Sonny Emory, Sterling Campbell (drums); Gerardo Velez (percussion); Andres Levin (programming); Fonzi Thornton, Michelle Cobbs, Brenda White-King, Tawatha Agee, Dennis Collins, Briz (background vocals).
Strings: Elena Barere, Marti Sweet, Juliet Haffner, Mitsue Takayama, Julien Barbar, Frederick Zlotkin, Richard Locker, Max Ellen, Al Brown, Winterton Garvey, Regis Iandiorio, Gerald Tarack, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme.
Engineers: Jon Goldberger, David O'Donnell, Steve Boyer, Patrick Dillett, Richard Hilton, Tom Durack.
Recorded at Skyline Studios and The Power Station, New York.
All songs written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers except "Chic Mystique," "Something You Can Feel" and "Chicism" (Nile Rodgers/Bernard Edwards/Princesa).
Personnel: Nile Rodgers (vocals, guitar); Dennis Collins, Fonzi Thornton, Tawatha Agee, Michelle Cobbs (vocals, background vocals); Brenda White-King, Jenn Thomas, Brenda King, Sylver Logan Sharp, Bernard Edwards (vocals); Princessa (rap vocals); Julien Barber, Winterton Garvey, Al Brown & His Tunetoppers, Gerald Tarack, Marti Sweet, Mitsue Takayama, Al Brown, Elena Barere, Juliet Haffner, Regis Iandiorio, Richard Locker, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme, Frederick Zlotkin, Max Ellen, Oscar James (strings); Steve Elson (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Stan Harrison (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Mac Gollehon (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn); Richard Hilton (keyboards, programming); Sonny Emory, Sterling Campbell (drums); Geraldo Velez, Gerardo Velez (percussion); Andres Levin (programming); Briz (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Dave O'Donnell ; Jon Goldberger .
Arrangers: Nile Rodgers; Bernard Edwards.
While the death of disco in the late `70s appeared to be a doom sentence for bands like Chic, for group leaders Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards it presented a unique opportunity to stretch out into production for artists as diverse as the B-52's, Diana Ross, and Robert Palmer, and star-studded side-projects such as the Honeydrippers and Power Station. Even as hip-hop and dance music usurped many of Chic's skeletal funk innovations in the `80s, the group remained a vital behind-the-scenes influence for many of those styles. By 1992, the timing seemed right for a reunion of sorts, and CHIC-ISM (the group's final studio album) doesn't miss a beat with its of-the-era contemporary R&B and house sound. While not breaking any new ground, songs like "High" (almost a reprise of "Good Times") and the strings-driven instrumental "M.M.F.T.C.F" are a compelling recap of what made Chic's hit-making formula so enjoyable in the first place.
"Doin' That Thing to Me" contains a reference to the mythological wizard Merlin in its lyrics. By some strange twist of nature, mythology was certainly at work when those reviewing Chic-Ism on its release in 1992 dismissed it purely because Chic were old hats. In actuality, the worst thing about it is the cover. Chic-Ism certainly isn't likely to make album of the century listings, but as Chic albums go, it's fine if a tad '80s, which is to be expected as it was recorded only two years into the '90s. What were critics expecting of Chic -- synthesizers à la Kraftwerk? Kicking in with the infectious "Chic Mystique," a little too long at six and a half minutes, it's pretty much business as usual. This leads into "Your Love" and "Jusagroove," both keeping pace before slowing down for "One and Only One." "In It to Win It" is a perfect update of their New York disco-funk style, a recipe that bands like the Brand New Heavies emulated in later years. The last stretch of the album inclRolling Stone (3/19/92, p.89) - 3.5 Stars - Very Good - "...a luscious mix of sophisticated soul and haunting street beats updated to challenge the retro-disco mood sweeping the contemporary dance scene...an irresistable, eclectic sound..."
Spin (5/92, p.80) - Highly Recommended - "...refreshingly sophisticated...musically complete...ballads better than Whitney, house hipper than C&C Music Factory, and funk fatter than the Brand New Heavies..."
Entertainment Weekly (3/27/92, p.76) - "...songs like the elegant club hit `Chic Mystique' revive the nightlife vibe--complete with real live orchestra--and make it funkier for the 90's..." - Rating: B+
Q (4/92, p.72) - 3 Stars - Good - "...sounds like they never went away at all..."