CHIC’s Nile Rodgers stopped by Pitchfork Radio yesterday at Coachella. During his conversation with host Elia Einhorn, he revealed some of the collaborators that Chic had been working with for their long-awaited album, It’s About Time.

Rodgers mentioned that the group had been in the studio with Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Craig David, Stefflon Don, Nao, Mura Masa, and Blondie’s Debbie Harry for the new project. He also explained how the Bruno Mars collaboration unexpectedly came together. “Anderson .Paak and I—we had a few days, and he was opening for [Bruno Mars] while he was in the UK,” said to Einhorn. “And Bruno was like, ‘Damn, I gotta stop by and hang with y’all.’ So we sat around telling great Prince stories and finally we got down, and Bruno came up with an idea and said, ‘Damn, I wonder why nobody’s done this.’ So we decided to get down and do it.”

Rodgers said that they had also plans to record with Haim in “a couple weeks or so.” He continued to tease that Chic and Haim could make surprise appearances at each other’s sets in the near future. “For the next two years, whenever you see Haim doing a live show and you see Chic doing a live show... just see if either of the two bands winds up playing with the other one,” he said. “Even unannounced. Because on the red carpet the other day, we challenged each other to a battle of the bands. And I love Haim. They said, ‘We will kick any band’s ass!’ I said, ‘I will happily take the challenge.’”

It’s About Time was originally scheduled for release in 2015, but has been pushed back several times. Rodgers was hospitalized last year, causing him to miss a CHIC show. He later revealed that he’d been diagnosed with cancer, but later updated fans, saying, “My prognosis is 100% recovery.” He recently told Billboard that the new Chic album is “absolutely coming this year.”

If he's not including the song(s) he did with Prince, I could not care less. It's not a proper CHIC album anyway.

Since when did we hear a guest artist on "Le Freak", or "I Want Your Love" on a CHIC album in such a wide array? "Soup For One" got more play from Modjo with its sample for "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)" than it did on its own.

Ironically, Soup For One was a soundtrack that included Debbie Harry, but it wasn't a proper CHIC album. This feels like one of those things Quincy Jones or Randy Jackson used to do. A producer with a few extra bucks and a low studio booking.

I'll pass.

TrivialPursuit said:

It's not a proper CHIC album anyway.

Since when did we hear a guest artist on "Le Freak", or "I Want Your Love" on a CHIC album in such a wide array? "
This feels like one of those things Quincy Jones or Randy Jackson used to do. A producer with a few extra bucks and a low studio booking.

I'll pass.

I agree.When a new Chic album was announced a few years ago,I was excited and I liked the single they released.But now,it appears that this will be a 'Niles Rodgers and Friends'-type release suddenly,I'm no longer interested in this project.

cindymay said:

Wasn't this the same album that it should have been released some years ago with lady Gaga, Janelle Monae and Elton John on it? I think it is.

Could be, because the last album under the CHIC moniker was twenty-four years ago.

I bet a Nile Rordgers & Friends project would be as interesting

Hamad said:

I bet a Nile Rordgers & Friends project would be as interesting

That pretty much seems to describe what the new album is already. Without Bernard Edwards (R.I.P.) it won't be quite the same. It would be like Donald Fagen releasing a new album under the Steely Dan name without any involvement or material from Walter Becker.

[Edited 4/26/18 12:45pm]

I am guessing this is what George Michael and Nile would have collaborated on.

UnderMySun said:

Hamad said:

I bet a Nile Rordgers & Friends project would be as interesting

That pretty much seems to describe what the new album is already. Without Bernard Edwards (R.I.P.) it won't be quite the same. It would be like Donald Fagen releasing a new album under the Steely Dan name without any involvement or material from Walter Becker.

[Edited 4/26/18 12:45pm]

And it shouldn't be. Its a different chapter for Niles & he made some interesting collaborations in the past years. Lets take these news on face value, hell maybe just maybe he would make a good album Its not far fitched.

I like the new single they put out awhile back..."I'll Be There".....no guest stars,just Nile and the other members who are in Chic right now.I was kinda hoping that this is the direction the album was going in.

"I'll Be There" by Chic (2015)

TrivialPursuit said:

If he's not including the song(s) he did with Prince, I could not care less. It's not a proper CHIC album anyway.

Since when did we hear a guest artist on "Le Freak", or "I Want Your Love" on a CHIC album in such a wide array? "Soup For One" got more play from Modjo with its sample for "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)" than it did on its own.

Ironically, Soup For One was a soundtrack that included Debbie Harry, but it wasn't a proper CHIC album. This feels like one of those things Quincy Jones or Randy Jackson used to do. A producer with a few extra bucks and a low studio booking.

I'll pass.

Soup For One sounds like it would also fit on David Bowies' Let's Dance (1983) album

I LOVE the cover. This new song is good too!!!

[Edited 6/14/18 8:58am]

I wouldn't mind a 'Nile & Friends' type project. He might overcook it with a ridiculous number of guests, but it'll be interesting to see him try. Loving the cover, too.

TrivialPursuit said:

RJOrion said:

meh... I am such a big Chic fan but this has nothing to do with Chic. All those guest singers, most of whom I have never heard of, have nothing to do with the original Chic concept. I'll buy the album at some point, but doubt that I will play it much. The only thing that could possibly save it is if Fonzi sings back up on all the tracks.

whitesockedfunk said:

meh... I am such a big Chic fan but this has nothing to do with Chic. All those guest singers, most of whom I have never heard of, have nothing to do with the original Chic concept. I'll buy the album at some point, but doubt that I will play it much. The only thing that could possibly save it is if Fonzi sings back up on all the tracks.

I feel the same way.This,to me,isn't a "Chic album" at all.This is a 'Nile Rodgers and Friends' album.

I may have to skip this one

RJOrion said:

wheres Alfa Anderson, Norma Jean Wright and Mary Martin?... im not trying to hear Bruno Mars or HAIM on a Nile Rodgers production...no

Exactly! I feel the same way.I'm gonna have to skip this project,it's not what I was expecting.I'll give it a listen though.