Risqué

Released at the height of the 'Disco Sucks' backlash, Risqué proved that the genre could be intellectually rigorous and musically sophisticated. Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the album is most famous for 'Good Times,' a track whose bassline became the foundation for 'Rapper's Delight' and effectively birthed the commercial hip-hop era. Beyond the hits, the album showcases the duo's incredible versatility, moving from the hard-edged funk of 'My Forbidden Lover' to the proto-balladry of 'A Warm Summer Night.' Critics at AllMusic and the BBC have frequently cited this as Chic's most cohesive artistic statement, noting how the production manages to feel 'expensive' despite its minimalist arrangements. It stands as a bridge between the hedonism of the 70s and the digital precision of the 80s, influencing everyone from Queen to Duran Duran.