Album: We Are Family
Artist: Sister Sledge
Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Released: April 1979
Genre: Disco Funk
Influenced: Prince, David Bowie, Madonna, TLC, Daft Punk, Destiny's Child
Of all the brilliant Niles Rodgers disco albums, We Are Family remains my firm favourite. My parents owned a copy of this and C'est Chic on vinyl, and because both records would often be played at parties when I was usually upstairs, the music has a powerful magnetic pull on my psyche. Disco had a very diverse sound, but Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (founders members of Chic and much else besides) definitely pioneered their own very unique brand of disco funk. Their innovative bass & lead guitar riffs and groundbreaking production work has been influential far beyond the boundaries of disco, from rock and rap music to house and techno. Following the success of C'est Chic, Rodgers and Edwards were told by label Atlantic Records they could work with whoever they chose, but rather than picking a high-profile act like the Rolling Stones, they went with four sisters from Philadelphia (see the video at the bottom of this blog for Rodgers' reasons for the decision). Out of that first meeting came the inspiration for Rodgers to write a song about sisterly love, We Are Family.
Debbie, Kim, Joni and Kathy Sledge not only performed some brilliant dance routines, but also contributed some magnificently soulful singing to the successful Chic formula. Kathy's lead vocals for We Are Family were apparently recorded in one take when she was aged just 16. Incredible. The title track is musical gold and I love the funky guitar fills. One of my favourite Sunday pastimes is putting this LP on the record player and dancing with Rosie & Ava. We especially love the line, "we are family / I've got all my sisters with me", which Rosie sings with real meaning. There are four standout singles on the album, with He's The Greatest Dancer (which I like to dance to with real meaning), Lost In Music (the "I'm stuck in a box" dance routine is inspired) and Thinking Of You all towering disco anthems. The main reason I tend to favour disco over punk as a response to the economic woes of the late 70s is not just that the music sounds better, but that it had an element of fun and escapism. Thinking of You is one of my personal favourites on the album, and has a similar laid-back vibe to Easier To Love. Luther Vandross was among several backing singers brought into the studio for the sessions, and his vocals as well as the elegant strings and dazzling horns helped to create a pop masterpiece.
P.S. Niles Rodgers on the genesis of the title track:
Debbie, Kim, Joni and Kathy Sledge not only performed some brilliant dance routines, but also contributed some magnificently soulful singing to the successful Chic formula. Kathy's lead vocals for We Are Family were apparently recorded in one take when she was aged just 16. Incredible. The title track is musical gold and I love the funky guitar fills. One of my favourite Sunday pastimes is putting this LP on the record player and dancing with Rosie & Ava. We especially love the line, "we are family / I've got all my sisters with me", which Rosie sings with real meaning. There are four standout singles on the album, with He's The Greatest Dancer (which I like to dance to with real meaning), Lost In Music (the "I'm stuck in a box" dance routine is inspired) and Thinking Of You all towering disco anthems. The main reason I tend to favour disco over punk as a response to the economic woes of the late 70s is not just that the music sounds better, but that it had an element of fun and escapism. Thinking of You is one of my personal favourites on the album, and has a similar laid-back vibe to Easier To Love. Luther Vandross was among several backing singers brought into the studio for the sessions, and his vocals as well as the elegant strings and dazzling horns helped to create a pop masterpiece.
P.S. Niles Rodgers on the genesis of the title track:
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