Oooh... you are Chic-ee:
more niles and nard wannabes

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - Let the Beat Hit 'Em (1991)

Not an obvious choice, but Lisa Lisa's first venture out of the Full Force fold surpassed all expectations. It wasn't even a typical (Robert) Clivilles and (David) Cole compostistion/production, but arguably one of their best. The deliberate irrevence of the lyrics, the construction of the chords and the fact that halfway through they drop what sounds like a sample of Niles guitar point towards another homage. Of sorts.

Jamiroquai - Cosmic Girl (1996)

Released the same year as the tragic death of Bernard Edwards, Jay Kay may have intended this somewhat blatant rip off of Chic, particularly in the string arrangements, to be a tribute. Indeed, it also shares somewhat lighter, less pompous lyrics than most of his previous efforts, as did much of the accompanying album. Maybe Jay was taking notice after all.

Ultra Naté - Free (1997)

Huh? You thought I was gonna pick New Kind of Medicine? Yes, that D'Influence production is a Chic impression, and pretty fine it is too, with all those strings and all. Why Free? Well, it's that brazen use of guitar, all in the foreground. Lets face it, the thought of a House/Garage song built around a guitar riff would have caused most of us to run for the nearest exit a couple of years ago. Instead its the basis for one of the most inventive, and one of the best, dance tracks of the last few years. Whether it was deliberate or not for this Lem Springsteen and Joe Ciafone (Mood II Swing) production, and the rhythm guitar on the chorus does sound very 'Niles', this really captures the spirit of some of the eighties Chic and solo Nile Rodgers work.

Foreal People featuring David Grant - Shake (2000)

Any record that brings about a convincing soul/dance return for 'Brit Funk' stalwart David Grant (wife Carrie also on vocals) gets a thumbs up by default. An unashamed fan of Grant since his Linx days, with Intuition and You're Lying, through the misguided eighties to a promising (though sadly abortive) start to the nineties - not to mention a full-on gospel album - it's great to see him back... and what a bomb. Here the Godfather of Disco House, Colchester's own Dave Lee aka Joey Negro has keyboard player Michelle Chiavarini and guitarist Andrew Smith help recreate a Chic groove so convincingly it actually sounds like a sample. Not as commercial as Must Be The Music perhaps, but far more rewarding - and it's all good fun.

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