Multiple grammy-winning guitarist, composer and producer Nile Rodgers & Chic took Haydock Park Racecourse by storm. They created Maximum Funkosity with a superb ‘non-stop boogie’ bash that had racegoers dancing all night.
Legendary Rodgers has written, produced and performed an array of widely recognised and chart-topping song and dance hits in his glittering career, spanning across six decades.
The crowd, most of whom were dressed to the nines in true race day style, had spent the day putting their bets on and drinking copious amounts of alcohol, so were ready to party. The odds were in favour of Nile Rodgers and Chic giving a brilliant, memorable performance and a party they certainly got. Ridiculously high heels aplenty were ditched for the flip-flops on sale, so they could enjoy non- stop dancing and singing from start to finish.
Rodgers & Co certainly sent the crowd into a wild disco frenzy with classic Chic numbers, starting with the disco hit Le Freak into Everybody Dance, ‘Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)’ and I Want Your Love.
Looking so cool, calm, and collected for the mature age of seventy, he reminded people that not only did he have these musical gems under his belt, but also a huge catalogue of other hit tracks in collaboration with a multitude of widely known talented artistes over the decades.
The funk fuelled set continued with ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Upside Down’ two numbers he’d written and produced for Diana Ross. Next a couple of Sister Sledge classics, ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’, followed by ‘We Are Family’. A highlight of the night was Kimberly Davis’s vocals, which absolutely shone. She was a breathtaking powerhouse whose goosebump-inducing voice resonated across the racecourse. Just wow!!
All the band deserve a mention as their faultless performances just demonstrated that every single one of them oozed talent, and combined it was a musical force of pure funkosity to be reckoned with. Joining Davis on lead vocals was the equally talented Audrey Martells, whose supreme vocals rang out loudly in their own right, and complimented the band with beautiful harmonies too. On bass guitar and vocals Jerry Barnes, not only radiating charisma but whose playing was just astonishing, and the same can be said for sensational drummer Ralph Rolle also providing vocals. Ken Gioffre on saxophone, Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Richard Hilton on keyboards and Russell Graham on keyboards and vocals all made for an astounding jazz funk experience led by the king of pop Rodger’s along with his signature funky guitar sound.
In-between the incredible music he proudly shared some of his lifetime achievements, which he described as life changing, these included winning six Grammys Awards some of which were for Best Electronic/Dance Album, Best R&B Song and the Lifetime Achievement award.
With inspiring films and images on the backdrop next came Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’ ‘Material Girl’ from her 1984 ‘Like A Virgin’ album. Into a stomping version of Bowie’s ‘Modern Love’ then Beyoncé’s ‘Cuff It’ from her 2022 ‘Renaissance’ album.
Rodgers was so proud (and rightly so) of his collaboration with Daft Punk too when they went on to deliver a sensational ‘Get Lucky’ which included a snippet of ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’ from their 2001 ‘Discovery’ album. Some vocals enhanced by a vocoder giving that unique mechanical sound. ‘Lose Yourself to Dance’ followed and everyone in the crowd were swaying from side to side in unison. This led into disco hit ‘Spacer’ Sheila & B. Devotion’s and served up next was ‘Soup For One’ which segued into the timeless 2001 Modjo hit ‘Lady (Hear Me Tonight)’
The third of four Sister Sledge hits came next with ‘Lost In Music’ before Duran Duran’s ‘Notorious’ which isn’t that well known for being one of many tracks produced by the multi-talented Rodgers. ‘Thinking Of You’ by Sister Sledge followed, and it was poignant moment as Rodgers dedicated this to his dear friend and co-writer Bernard Edwards, who sadly passed away at the young age of 43 in 1996.
Lifting the atmosphere right back up with ‘My Feet Keep Dancing’ Chic’s 1979 ‘Risqué’ album ‘My Forbidden Lover’ and ‘Chic Cheer’ all enhanced by Rodgers and Barnes funky guitar riffs and breathtaking bass playing, complimenting each other beautifully.
Drum roll for drummer Rolle (bet he’s not heard that one before) who delivered a wild, fun and engaging audience participation section leading into “Maximum Funkosity!”, which was then followed by him singing equally impressive lead vocals for another Bowie classic ‘Let’s Dance’.
Clearly no one wanted this disco extravaganza to end, but sadly all good things must come to an end and Nile & Co concluded the night with Chic’s ‘Good Times’. Perfectly fitting lyrics here and this brilliantly segued into the classic ‘Rapper’s Delight’, in which Rodgers proved he was still cool enough to deliver some awesome rapping here.
The final moments returned to ‘Good Times’ and the crowd roared as the large screen stated “Thank you Haydock” in giant lettering.
This was certainly a night to remember with a sublime performance of incredible sounds that can only be described as a fabulous fusion of jazz, soul, and funk grooves with catchy, timeless melodies and lyrics from the legendary Nile Rodgers & Chic.
Good Times were had by all, Everybody Danced and certainly got Lost In Music.
All words by Claire Glover – X @ClaireG1965
Photos by Melanie Smith – www.mudkissphotography.co.uk
Instagram / X / Facebook – @mudkissphotos
