When
Chic
's self-titled debut album came out in 1978, many rock critics gave it very negative reviews and failed to see just how rhythmically and harmonically exciting
's blend of funk, soul, and Euro-disco was. But one critic who often gave
favorable coverage was
Don Waller
, who hit the nail on the head when he exalted the band as "an uptown version of
Booker T & the MG's
." It was a most insightful analogy --
's music was a lot sleeker than
raw, instrumental Memphis soul, but like
Booker T.
, the
Niles Rodgers
/
Bernard Edwards
team turned out some of the most infectious and influential R&B party grooves of their era. Although not quite as strong as
's next two albums --
C'est Chic
and
Risque
-- would be, this highly enjoyable album put the group on the map commercially thanks to the infectious hits
"Dance, Dance, Dance"
"Everybody Dance."
Some rock critics saw
as just another faceless disco production, but, in fact, the opposite is true -- with this album,
fashioned a very distinctive and recognizable sound that proved to be as influential in its era as
Booker T & the MGs
were in theirs. The sound that
established with this album was one that everyone from
Queen
ABC
to
Sister Sledge
Sugarhill Gang
, and
Madonna
would benefit from. ~ Alex Henderson