Yahoo Entertainment Nile Rodgers Preps First Chic Album in Two Decades
Nile Rodgers has signed a new record deal with Warner Bros. and will release the first new Chic album in more than two decades this June. The first single from the record will come out on March 20th.
See Daft Punk and Stevie Wonder's Funky Disco Smash-Up
In addition to his recording contract, Warner Bros. signed a deal with Land of the Good Groove, the label that Rodgers and music exec Michael Ostin formed. "My relationship with Warner and Michael formally started with Like a Virgin," Rodgers said in a statement, referencing the 1984 Madonna album he co-produced with the singer. "The album is double-diamond, just like our friendship is."
Rodgers released the last Chic album, Chic-ism, via Warner Bros. in 1992, when he reformed the group with bassist Bernard Edwards, who passed away in 1996. The LP reached Number 39 on the R&B Albums chart at the time.
In recent years, Rodgers has produced songs and albums by Daft Punk, Duran Duran, Avicii, Disclosure and Sam Smith and Rudimental. He has also toured steadily and, in 2011, issued his self-written autobiography, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny.
In other Rodgers news, the producer will receive the President's Merit Award during the 8th Annual Grammy Week celebration for Producers and Engineers Wing on Tuesday. The award recognizes his commitment to excellence and ongoing support for the art and craft of recorded music. Last year, Chic's "Le Freak" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Chic leader also recently sat for an interview for a new public-television series, Speakeasy, in which he was able to choose who interviewed him. He picked Valerie Simpson. Rodgers discussed the formation of Chic and shared stories about producing Madonna, David Bowie and Diana Ross. Other artists who sat for Speakeasy interviews include Roger Waters, John Mellencamp, Rush's Geddy Lee and Carlos Santana. A full episode schedule can be found on American Public Television's website.
