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Chic – In Japan

The great dance music innovators' final concert, recorded live at the Budokan in April 1996

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The poignancy of this concert lies in the fact that bassist Bernard Edwards died later that same night. Otherwise, it’s a dismal spectacle. Ironically, Edwards and guitarist Nile Rodgers play superbly throughout, but one listen to guest guitarist Slash ruining “Le Freak” will make you weep.

For a group so dependent on elegance and delicacy, it is somewhat humiliating to experience a past-it Sister Sledge warble “We Are Family” for 10 minutes, to witness them plodding with Steve Winwood through Hendrix’s “Stone Free”, and to hear them reduced to segueing “Good Times” into “Rappers’ Delight”. They deserve a better memorial.

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The poignancy of this concert lies in the fact that bassist Bernard Edwards died later that same night. Otherwise, it's a dismal spectacle. Ironically, Edwards and guitarist Nile Rodgers play superbly throughout, but one listen to guest guitarist Slash ruining "Le Freak" will make...Chic - In Japan