Chaka [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Chaka's 1978 solo album for Warner Brothers, her first afterleaving Rufus. A top 20 album, it features the Ashford &Simpson-penned top 30 hit 'I'm Every Woman', a cover ofGeorge Benson's 'We Got The Love' and eight other tracks.Brothers Michael & Randy Brecker guest.

Chaka,Chaka Khan,Msi/Wea,Soul/R & B

Chaka [Import]

Tracks:

Ain't Nobody
Papillon (AKA Hot Butterfly)
Tell Me Something Good (Live)
I Feel For You
I Know You, I Live You
I'm Every Woman
Love Me Still
The End Of A Love Affair
And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)
Through The Fire
What Cha' Gonna Do For Me
Everywhere
Never Miss The Water
Somethin' Deep
Your Love Is All I Know
Every Little Thing

Amazon.com

Whether with the groundbreaking group Rufus or on her own, Chaka Khan has one of the most distinctive and influential voices in R&B. She's able to wail at full emotive throttle or deliver a love song with nuanced jazz-inflected tones, and sometimes even do both within the same track. This 1996 collection gathers some of Khan's biggest and most beloved solo efforts. Included here are the classic tangy attack of "Ain't Nobody" and the turntable-enhanced smash "I Feel for You" (penned by admirer and recent collaborator Prince). There's also the anthemic original version of "I'm Every Woman," the moody "Through the Fire," and her 1996 collabo with Me'Shell Ndegeocello, "You Never Miss the Water." As all great vocalists do, Khan takes control of every song, breathing fire and life into the words and interpreting them without overpowering their meaning. One listen to Epiphany and it's abundantly clear that, even though she's been AWOL from the charts for a while, Chaka Khan remains a founding mother of soul and funk, armed with a potent voice that can both illuminate and elevate. --Amy Linden

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

For the first song alone, it's worth it!.......2007-06-15

I must have played, and can verify via iTunes, "Ain't Nobody" at least 50 times since I've gotten this CD. I've missed this song, and it remains my favorite Chaka song. The lead guitar rocks. As a singer, Chaka is first class. Her enunciation and pronunciation is pristine, not the sloppy drivel you hear with today's youngsters. Hear how she sings of "sweet surrenDER", of love warm and "tenDER". Thank you! She sings in ENGLISH, like the best singers do. She reminds me so much of Aretha Franklin in this. I refused to listen to Rufus and other groups because of the exploitative lyrics, but this collection is proof one need not dismiss Chaka Khan as too "street". She has moved beyond Rufus and has matured into a singer of class.

I chose to revisit Ms. Khan when I heard she did an album of standards that was well-received. I don't have that one yet, but I'm definitely encouraged to buy it because of the material on this CD. At $8, it was hardly a big risk. Now I'm hoping Vol. 2 has the other song of hers I'm familiar with and love, her duet with Steve Winwood!

Start your Chaka collection with this.......2007-06-06

This is awesome. I have most of her solo albums as well but most of them are patchy. (I do like the Prince produced "Come 2 My House" album and the 1991 album "The Woman I Am". No tracks from these 2 albums are on this release) There are also some new/bonus tracks which are worthwhile.
Everyone talks about a track which is missing which should have been on the album. Really a double disc release would have been better for Chaka, but you will love this. A double disc would have included tracks from her 1982 self titled album which is super rare, released on CD only in Japan as well as Clouds,and possibly my favorite track from Chaka which appears on the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack feat Michael McDonald "Time To Be Lovers". This is easily the best option for a casual fan as it has the main hits on it and even though it's a compilation, it flows very well and doesn't seem dated even though most of the tracks are from the early 80's.

Excellent audio.......2007-05-31

Regardeless of the fact that you might like or not Chaka's performance, the audio is superb and I think it deserves a place in a selected CD inventory.

Such An Enjoyable Album!.......2007-05-11

After listening to every track on this album, I can truly say that the artist has REALLY put her heart into this work of art. Especially great is the track #10, Through The Fire. I highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys a terrific voice and great instrumentals. It is well worth the cost and the time spent listening...

Chaka...so smooth........2007-03-22

To this day, when I am alone and put THROUGH THE FIRE on....and I crank it....and sit back....she makes me shed tears as I imagine her performance in the studio. She doesn't just sing the song....she becomes the song. Amazing vocal range. I'm a huge fan.

The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan

Average customer rating:

Pretty Darn Good
The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Review
Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, I've Veal For You, I Think Olive You
Rufus & Chaka, Simple the best!!!!

The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Rufus & Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1
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Ask Rufus
Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000002P4I
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Do You Love What You Feel
Tell Me Something Good
Dance Wit Me
Hollywood
Stay
Once You Get Started
You Got The Love
At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)
Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend)
Sweet Thing

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Darn Good.......2007-05-24

I enjoyed just about every song on this CD. I would recommend adding this to anybody's collection.

The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan.......2007-05-09

Arrived in timely manner, plays well, sounds great!
Very happy with purchase!

Review.......2007-01-20

This is an outstanding CD. It captures the best of Chaka Khan and is a must have album.

Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, I've Veal For You, I Think Olive You.......2006-10-15

The Very Best Of Rufus, Featuring Chaka Khan, is like the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead - when it's good, it's very, very good, but when it's bad, it's horrid. Don't let that stop you, though, with Chaka Khan; the highs are so high they redeem the lows.

At 5' 1" tall, Chaka Khan is the mouse that roared; from Aretha Franklin to Gladys Knight to Stephanie Mills it would be hard to find another female R&B, soul singer who can match her for sheer power. No matter how much smoke there may be in the air, Khan's voice pierces like a laser. There is something fun, even endearing, about watching someone so small, with hair exploding around her head like a mushroom cloud, delivering such a mighty payload.

Backed by the raw groove of Rufus, that roundhouse delivery really shines on tracks like Tell Me Something Good and You Got The Love. These two tracks alone are worth the price of the CD. Sweet Thing, a little more mellow, is almost as good as they are, while At Midnight has infectious, almost delirious drive. After that, things get shakier.

Khan's primary problem is that, while she's a fabulous belter, she's not really a singer as such. (To see what I mean, check out Echoes Of An Era, where she fronts an all-star jazz line-up and attempts standards - with unsatisfactory results.)

Because she brought no particular vision or point of view to the table, Khan was forced to ride the waves of musical fashion, and had the extreme bad fortune of hitting her peak just as disco was defoliating the landscape. Consequently, much of her output was little more than pointless screeching superimposed onto relentless dance beats. (Stop the madness!)

This CD captures Khan during that brief time in her career when everything lined up correctly. It was short.... but it was sweet.

Rufus & Chaka, Simple the best!!!!.......2005-09-15

I recently brought this album because I'm a big Chaka Khan fan, I think she's one of the best soul singers EVER!!! I also brought this album because I heard some of the songs on the radio and other artist covered or sampled their songs. When I heard the whole album, I was so glad I brought it. I think every song is amazing, the group is great and Chaka is just Chaka, what more can you say, INCREDIBLE!! I wish there were more tracks on it and one of my favorite Rufus & Chaka Khan songs called "Everlasting Love". After listening to this album and knowing a little history about the group, I think that Rufus was one of the funkiest and soulful groups of all time. I hope one day they get their proper due and respect, which they so deserve, and will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. For those who like Chaka Khan as a solo artist need to purchased cd this and see how it all began.

Average customer rating:

Nice change
Kenny G- Duets
Kenny G is a horrible saxophonist
Very nice! My favorite CD of his yet....
It is OK ! Next time,team up with Anita Baker and Regina Belle !

At Last...The Duets Album
Kenny G
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Breathless

ASIN: B00064K2RQ
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You- featuring LeAnn Rimes
Don't Know Why- featuring David Benoit
I Believe I Can Fly- featuring Yolanda Adams
At Last- featuring Arturo Sandoval
Beautiful- featuring Chaka Khan
Pick Up The Pieces- featuring David Sanborn
Careless Whisper- featuring Brian McKnight
Misty- featuring Gladys Knight
Baby Come To Me- featuring Daryl Hall
The Way You Move- featuring Earth Wind & Fire
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word- featuring Richard Marx
Alfie- featuring Burt Bacharach
XThe Music That Makes Me Dance- featuring Barbra Streisand

Amazon.com

The genius of At Last...The Duets Album is in its matchups and cross-pollinations. If producer Walter Afanasieff weren't already a much sought after music man--check out his arrangements here if his talents are unfamiliar--he might have built a brilliant career as a modern-day cupid. These are covers with a what-if factor (what if Brian McKnight covers Wham!? What if Richard Marx covered Elton John?) you don't want to miss: LeAnn Rimes wraps Bryan Adams' anthem-y "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" in rainy-day heartache; Yolanda Adams reaches for the stars in a rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" as inspiring as the original; Barbra Streisand waltzes through "The Music That Makes Me Dance" like the years since her heyday haven't mattered; and Earth, Wind & Fire dig the depth out of Raphael Saadiq's "The Way You Move." This, of course, is to say nothing of the sensuality brought to these collaborations by the goldilocked sax man himself. As with all Kenny G projects, the music is smoother than a frappuccino and oddly suited to a soap opera living room set; its swirls, swells, and crescendos seem meant to fall on bejeweled ears in pretty, carefully appointed spaces only. All-instrumental tracks like "Don't Know Why" with David Benoit and "Pick Up the Pieces" with David Sanborn have a fun look-at-me-sharing-the-spotlight quality, but in the end Chaka Khan puts across her point most convincingly: She, not Christina Aguilera, should have sung "Beautiful" to begin with. -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Nice change.......2006-12-13

You know it's sad when someone has to put down another person just to make them feel bigger. I found this album was a fresh change to doing cover songs - face it, everyone in the industry is doing covers, but I really liked the different feel to them. There are some not so great Duet albums out there, unfortunately I have even bought a few, but I feel this one is a good buy...

Kenny G- Duets.......2006-11-10

Kenny G is excellent in this duets CD. Him along with other greats make for very enjoyable listening.

Kenny G is a horrible saxophonist.......2006-08-14

Please noone buy this cd. It is a waste of your time, and the fact that so many people buy this cd goes along with how humans are getting more idiotic as we destroy the planet and continue to rise conflicts in other countries that could amount to a bigger picture. Kenny G is a horrible saxophonist, and all he plays are simplistic lines that people can wrap their heads around easily. If you want to listen to a great saxophonist, listen to Kenny Garret. Or Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Joshua Redman, Wayne Shorter. If you like smooth jazz, Gerald Albright is an excellent saxophonist to listen to.

Very nice! My favorite CD of his yet...........2006-06-17

I always find it humerous that far less accomplished "musicians" will blast Kenny's success all over the place, and basically rate him with the likes of a middle school wannabe. Bottom line - he is successful, he caters to the "average" listener without the ear fatigue that normally accompanies heavy jazz, he is respected among his peers in the business (as evidenced by his duets), and he repeats what works for his success. To trash his talent and success is to also trash the notable musicians and singers who obviously respect him enough to record with him on this CD. He's made millions, so there is an enormous fan base out there that doesn't care much for the jealous comments by aspiring performers. My advice is to judge for yourself!

If you appreciate great musicians coming together to produce some really listenable music, (and I do mean, over and over without ear fatigue), then this CD is for you! I only hope he doesn't stop here. I hope he comes out with more duet albums in the future. Maybe some Chicago, Rascal Flatts, Peter Cetera, Tower of Power, and any number of other great voices in the business!

My favorite is the remix of "The Way You Move"...nice grooves in there! If I had one complaint, it would be that the songs didn't actually line up in the order on which they were listed on the CD cover. Other than that, it's at the top of my favorites in my library of 3,000+ CDs!

It is OK ! Next time,team up with Anita Baker and Regina Belle !.......2006-05-28

Most of the tracks lack emotion and inspiration.
Try next time,with less hype and more substance.

Average customer rating:

CD Quality
GREAT but...
looked everywhere, found it here
The softer side of Chaka. . . .
Classic Rufus & Chaka

Ask Rufus
Rufus & Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rufusized
Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Rags to Rufus
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The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan

ASIN: B000002OIQ
Release Date: 1992-03-10

Tracks:

At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)
Close The Door
Slow Screw Against The Wall/A Flat Fry
Earth Song
Everlasting Love
Hollywood
Magic In Your Eyes
Better Days
Egyptian Song

Customer Reviews:

CD Quality.......2007-05-13

The cd came in a timely manner. The quality of the cd was not good at all. I dont think it was the fault of amazon. I think it was the recording itself. Now I understand why some cd's are remastered. I love the song "Everlasting Love" I only bought the cd for that song. Now I'll have to purchase it again

GREAT but..........2007-04-14

5 STARS FOR THE MUSICAL CONTENT.GREAT LAID BACK ALBUM BY RUFUS AND CHAKA, BUT SOUND QUALITY ON MY CD VERSION IS AWFUL.ANYONE ELSE HAD/HAVE THIS PROBLEM?

looked everywhere, found it here.......2007-02-11

I had searched for this cd for a long time. I finally found it here. thanks

The softer side of Chaka. . . ........2007-02-06

In her 70's heyday, Chaka Khan was soul music's ranking tomboy and few could keep up with her spunky, sexually-charged persona. "Ask Rufus" marked the pinnacle of her work with the group Rufus. But unlike the bulk of her work with Rufus--which owed as much to Rock as it did to Soul and funk--"Ask Rufus" is much softer, a pensive and romantic mosaic. As such, it's as powerful and moving as anything she's ever done. Khan fiercely wraps her luscious and limber voice around the horn-driven funk of "At midnight" and the jumpy, syncopated rhythms of "Better Days"(on which she also displays her considerable talent for songwriting). She then swoops down into gorgeous, smooth-as-silk ballads like "Close the Door," "Earth Song," "Everlasting Love" and "Magic in Your Eyes" with equal dexterity. It is a great tribute to her versatility and fearlessness that she is able to pull off all styles with equal aplomb. Chaka's first album "Rags to Rufus" put her on the map and it remains to this day one of the best albums of the 70's. But if I had to choose only one Chaka Khan/Rufus album as my favorite, "Ask Rufus" would win hands down.

Classic Rufus & Chaka.......2006-04-13

This is one of my favorite Rufus and Chaka Khan albums. This album sold over 1.5 million copies in the late seventies (all of their previous albums went Gold. The fans really connected to this classic because Chaka made you feel that she was only singing to you. If you listen to Egyptian Song, Chaka sings notes that are not even on the scale - all you can do is listen in shock and awe-because-this woman can really sing.

Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones made a guest appearance on this album (playing guitar). This album should be considered in the same league as Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced, Pink Floyd's The Wall.

Just a little triva: Claire Fischer, who arranged all the strings for this album went on to work with Prince.

The engineer, Gary Starr, should also take credit for the outstanding sound that was achived without today's digital technology.

Average customer rating:

What a funky album!
Still Love Rufus and Chaka
Rufus...feat. Chaka Khan...
My Very First Album...
As Good, In Parts, As Anything Else They Did

Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Rufus & Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rufusized
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Naughty

ASIN: B000002PET
Release Date: 1990-08-13

Tracks:

Fool's Paradise
Have A Good Time
Ooh I Like Your Loving
Everybody Has An Aura
Circles
Sweet Thing
Dance Wit Me
Little Boy Blue
On Time
Jive Talkin'

Customer Reviews:

What a funky album!.......2007-07-27

This was probably their best album along with one of their other title "Rufusized" that came out the year before this one. I really love me some Chaka Khan. Every song on here was slammin' from the first track on through. I even remember the poster that came with the album. This is a true classic and it should be in any real music collector's collection.

Still Love Rufus and Chaka.......2007-05-21

Anything Chaka does is FIRE.I love Rufus and Chaka, to me it was the least thrilling album by them.I love Circles and Dance With Me the most.

Rufus...feat. Chaka Khan..........2005-11-19

"Dance wit Me," their version of "Jive Talkin'" and, of course, "Sweet Thing" made for some impressive music. Was it their best? No, but still good. "Sweet Thing" was definitely the song at that time. On urban radio (1975), they would play "Sweet Thing" seemingly every 20 minutes! It was a great song that I appreciate even now, some 30 years later. Get a copy at a good price and enjoy it! Four stars!

My Very First Album..........2005-10-15

Okay, let me state that at the time I was all of about 8 years old, and in my mind, this was the best thing since sliced bread...I grew up in a household were you would hear anything from Count Basie to Aretha Franklin to Charlie Pride and both my mother and her father owned extensive record collections, so when I heard the first few bars of Ms. Chaka wailing on "Fools Paradise" at a schoolmate's birthday party, I immediately made it my mission to find out who she was and what the name of the record was...I remember asking for this album and receiving it as a gift and playing it constantly; it was the only one I owned and Top-forty AM radio wasn't playing anything but "Sweet Thing" occasionally. It's with these fond elementary school memories that I recall listening to this album and thinking "WOW!!!" Upon listening to a recently purchased reissued CD, this album is not bad, not GREAT, but not bad...The tracks that hold up for me are "Fools Paradise", "Sweet Thing" and "Little Boy Blue"; everything else sounds decidedly dated, as music from the '70's will, but nothing makes me want to play the other tracks over and over the way I play EWF's "Gratitude" (the second album I ever owned, by the way), or Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions"...But I still love me some Chaka and I think her voice will always be my first love...

As Good, In Parts, As Anything Else They Did.......2005-01-09

A strange album. Excellent in part and in places it's as if you're listening to another band. It's impressive, in a way, that they could do this, but like all of their albums it sounds disjointed.

There's 3 or 4 songs on here that are on par with the grittier stuff that they did on their other, later, albums. I often prefer the first 2 or 3 albums by a band and this is the same with Rufus. If you like the album Rufusized then you will enjoy this. If you prefer the lighter weight tracks - post 1975 - then you might find this slightly raw. Raw is what I like.

Rufus are a hard band to get on with. They can be a bit showy and glossy for me. There are some parts on this album that I really like and some that are laughable. I dont like any Rufus album from start to finish, there are normally a maximum of 2 to 4 good tracks on each album (sometimes less than that!).
However, it's not the usual light and fluffy overproduced discofied soul that's dissapointing on this album it's the country ballads!

Yes thats right! Chaka does not sing on most of these- it's the other white fella, and trust me when I say that those songs are severely misguided and should never have made it onto the album.

The positives make up for this as most of the Chaka tracks are very good; Maybe your Baby is very good, Whatever Is Thrilling You (is killing me) is excellent and there are a couple of other dancefloor tracks that are as good as anything that they recorded in the 70's. If you are doing your own compilation of Chaka Khan in the 70's then splashing out some cash for this to broaden your collection comes reasonably recommended. This recommendation would have been much higher had the male vocalist been removed though. 3.5 stars.

Average customer rating:

Dap's song...
Rags to Rufus...
Raves To Rufus
Rags to Rufus ~Rufus & Chaka Khan
Rags to Rufus

Rags to Rufus
Rufus & Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rufusized
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Stompin' at the Savoy (Live)

ASIN: B000002PER
Release Date: 1990-03-16

Tracks:

You Got The Love
I Got The Right Street (But The Wrong Direction)
Walkin' In The Sun
Rags To Rufus (Instrumental)
Swing Down Chariot
Sideways (Instrumental)
Ain't Nothin' But A Maybe
Tell Me Something Good
Look Through My Eyes
In Love We Grow
Smokin' Room

Customer Reviews:

Dap's song..........2007-02-04

1974...h.s. senior year for me and a magical time in my life. The funk, soul, rhythm & blues, and fusion of this special time was truly golden, so when I first heard a sweet, transfer student, by the name of Daphne singing in her slow, country voice, 'tell me somethin' good', I said to myself, 'what the hell is that?' I could tell it was something beyond what she was capable of concocting...sure enough, soon I heard Queen Chaka...wow, what can I say, her voice was so clean, powerful, pure and downright sensual...I think I got a woodie, matter of fact, I know I did, she did that to a lot of us, male and female...still does, if you want a true taste of the time, GET THIS.

Rags to Rufus..........2005-11-19

In 1974, I heard "Tell me something good" and noted what a "funky" tune it was, still is! The song was just "gutsy." and outside of Sly Stone, no one else was doing music that way. "You got the love" and "Smokin' Room" are the other stand-out tunes on this collection. Get your copy and jam! Four stars!

Raves To Rufus.......2005-11-15

1974 -- I wasn't even born yet, but I'm curious about the era's culture , music, and crazy fashion. The patchwork denim album cover graphic is what attracted me initially. Moments I love:
The electric guitar in "You Got the Love" & "Tell Me Something Good". The rhythm in "Rags To Rufus", "Sideways", & "Look Through My Eyes". The horns and the funky electric piano in "I Got the Right Street (But the Wrong Direction), "Ain't Nothin But A Maybe", and the title track. The Gospel fervor of "Swing Down Chariot". Rufus the Band is in top form, great musicianship. Chaka the Voice, sends chills up my spine. The main letdown is the short length of "Sideways". They should've extended the first part where you here Chaka wailing and the band studio jiving. That groove is just too tough!

Rags to Rufus ~Rufus & Chaka Khan.......2005-09-20

Wow! It is still a great CD after all these years! I first had this on 8 track and then album. Now, I have it on CD and love listening to it every chance I get. Also, my kids get to listen to great music with me!!! They now know what good music sounds like.

Rags to Rufus.......2005-07-25

This Rufus/Chaka album ranks a strong second in my personal fave category of the group's work behind the incomparable, Ask Rufus.
This disc has a more funky/folksy overtone than others but is a cohesive, well put together collection of songs.

Of course, 'Tell Me Something Good' set it off for the disc but hidden gems that I'd never heard of until I bought this like the beautifully sublime 'In Love We Grow', 'Smoking Room' & 'Ain't Nothin But A Maybe' should have also been mega hits in their day. Other standout tracks to me are: 'You Got The Love' & 'Walkin In The Sun'.

This group, with its racially diverse members indeed created a unique sound in the r&b genre and cemented a place for themselves as one of the great groups of all time. I'd highly recommend this disc if you're trying to build a Rufus/Chaka collection.

Average customer rating:

P.A.
timeless voice!!
I adore you Chaka but...
Chaka rules, but somethnig is off here...
Some pretty convincing evidence that Chaka is no one trick pony

ClassiKhan
Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Music World
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1
Naughty
Classic Moments
Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Chaka

ASIN: B0002X7G8E
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Hey Big Spender
Hazels Hips
The Best Is Yet To Come
Crazy
I'm In The Mood For Love
Is That All There Is
Stormy Weather
Round Midnight
Teach Me Tonight
To Sir With Love
Diamonds Are Forever
Goldfinger
I Believe

Customer Reviews:

P.A........2006-09-28

I always knew that Ms. Khan was a power house and could sing among some of
the best. She has shown with this album that her depth as a artist stands
with the ultimate like Vaughn,Streisand. I listened to her breath control,
phrasing,clarity,and artisrty as if each number was a short well acted out
play or movie. She took me with her on each number. For me Ms.Khan has
become the well rounded singing that i never knew she was.The circle is
complete and we should all give her the respect that she is "DUE" while
others are lessening with there artistry she is standing strong. I would
love to hear a spiritual album from her! Only if she maintains the same
quality as this album i would buy it without hesitation!!!! Thank U Ms.Khan job well done. Isn't this what we all want to hear the LORD say
at the end of the day.

timeless voice!!.......2006-07-16

i've been listening to chaka since the 70's and i always knew that she could and would be the voice to bring back vocal jazz greatness...her voice has the style, the scat, reminding me of the days of dinah washington, ella, and sarah. This is a refreshing cd..music that we just don't hear these days...does chaka seem as if she's going through the motions as some reviewers have mentioned? No, not at all, this cd is a different genre, that chaka illuminiates...she sings standards, which she has the versatility and voice power to carry. However,i wish she could have incorporated more jazz standards into her reportoire, which would be a five star rating. Buy this cd (if you want something unique and timeless) and you will not be disappointed!

I adore you Chaka but..........2006-06-22

I've been a huge fan of Chaka Khan for decades and have practically all the stuff she's ever done on either LP or CD, including her work with Rufus, Quincy Jones, Lionel Hampton, Fourplay and a number of others I can't recall right now. I'm guessing I wasn't alone when there was talk - after many years of will she or won't she - of her releasing an album of jazz standards. I'm sure I wasn't alone in recalling, for example, her renditions of "The End Of A Love Affair" and "I'll Be Around" (featuring Miles Davis, no less) on her "C.K." album or "And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)" on the "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" album, "Be Bop Medley" on the album "Chaka Khan", "My Funny Valentine" on the soundtrack to the "Waiting to Exhale" movie or indeed, her ultimate jazz performance in my view, the "Echoes Of An Era" album she did with Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White.

And thus I'm sure I wasn't alone in being a tad disappointed with this set. Sure, it's Chaka, sure these are jazz standards, sure she belts (in places) and sure, she's even backed by the London Symphony Orchestra but something seems to be missing. I can't put my finger on it but it seems as if her heart wasn't in what she was doing and she was basically just going through the motions. Not even great support from Joe Sample (on three songs - "Round Midnight", "Stormy Weather" and "Teach Me Tonight") saves the album. The set is produced by Eve Nelson and I have to confess I've never heard of her. How come Chaka didn't turn to true and tested folk she's worked with on jazz tunes before? People like Arif Mardin or Russ Titleman?

I'll support Chaka Khan 'til the end and she is and will always be one of the few artistes out there who's stuff I'll buy without listening to it first. I just feel slightly let down by this CD. Come on girl, we all know you can do better than this.

Chaka rules, but somethnig is off here..........2006-06-07

How sad that it took Chaka years & years to finally release her long-rumored "jazz" LP that's been long-postponed on various labels - I recall seeing her blow the roof off at the now-defunct STRAND in Redondo Beach in the mid-90s when she belted our MY FUNNY VALENTINE, ALFIE, and other jazz/pop standards - but here, it's too little, too late, as Chaka's heart isn't into it and she's only going through the motions - how can this be?! While the song selection is solid, the choices are way too obvious and pedestrian - and for once in her long, amazing career, Chaka's vocals are, horror of horrors, too laidback and listless, like she's being too precious/careful with her material instead of knocking it out of the park like she's always done before - Chaka the singer never sounded "safe" - but here, she sounds as if she's merely phoning it in. Which is a shame for longtime fans. Still, as a whole, you could hear a lot worse from today's alleged "singers" - and Chaka still looks stunning on the cover. So add your collection, only if you're a Chaka completist like me!

Some pretty convincing evidence that Chaka is no one trick pony.......2006-02-01

When Chaka Khan emerged on the national music scene in the early 1970's as leader of the funk group Rufus I was not particularly impressed. Funk was never one of my favorite genres anyway so I paid little attention to the young lead singer from the south side of Chicago. Later in that decade Chaka would leave Rufus to pursue a solo career. Her debut single "I'm Every Woman" made some noise nationally and Chaka seemed to be on her way. Over the next few years Chaka would release a few albums with varying degrees of success. Finally in 1984 Chaka released her breakthrough LP "I Feel for You". The title track won a Grammy and would become one of the biggest singles of 1984. To be honest with you I have not heard a whole lot from Chaka in the two decades since. So when I happened upon the Chaka's 2004 release "Classikhan" I was curious. How would she handle this kind of material? A great many artists have attempted to make this transition and in my estimation only a handful have succeeded. It would be an interesting disc to listen to.
For me "Classikhan" has more ups than downs. The album was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra so the music is top drawer. The disc features an eclectic mix of tunes that Chaka was anxious to record. I must say Chaka did a terrific job on the discs opening track "Hey Big Spender" from the Broadway musical "Sweet Charity". I was also impressed with her interpretation of a couple of old favorites namely "Crazy" the Willie Nelson tune original made famous by the legendary Patsy Cline and of all things "To Sir With Love". I have always loved Lulu's original version but in my estimation Chaka's is even better. The highlight of the disc would have to be Chaka's take on two James Bond movie themes "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger" Shirley Bassey's originals were certainly a very tough act to follow but Chaka pulled it off and made these songs her own. I also enjoyed the disc's final track "I Believe" a lovely ballad that Chaka co-wrote with Ira Schickman.
There were however a couple of tunes I did not care for at all.
I did not like the arrangement of Sammy Kahn's "Teach Me Tonight" at all. I much prefer the DeCastro Sisters 1955 version or even Al Jarreau's 1981 take on this tune. I was also none too pleased with Chaka's rendition of the Harold Arlen classic "Stormy Weather". Too much screaming for my taste but to each his own.
Overall, I found "Classikhan" to be a most pleasant surprise. Chaka definitely has a future doing this kind of material. She exhibits far more talent that I ever gave her credit for. "Classikhan" comes with a great 20 page booklet that includes all the lyrics for each song as well as some great background material on Chakas long career. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

An excellent recording
FANTASTIC
Get the vinyl
Live is Live
One of the best live albums I ever heard

Stompin' at the Savoy (Live)
Rufus & Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rufusized
Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
Rags to Rufus
Ask Rufus
Naughty

ASIN: B000002KXQ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

You Got The Love
Once You Get Started
Dance With Me
Sweet Things
Tell Me Something Good
You're Welcome, Stop On By
Pack'd My Bags
I'm A Woman (I'm A Backbone)
At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)

Tracks:

Ain't That Peculiar
Stay
What Cha' Gonna Do For Me
Do You Love What You Feel
Ain't Nobody
One Million Kisses
Try A Little Understanding
Don't Go To Strangers

Customer Reviews:

An excellent recording.......2007-04-11

This is a terrific record of an excellent band. It is highly representative of what their performances were like. I travelled as stage manager with Chaka and her post-Rufus band (with Tony Maiden on guitar, though), and heard her perform these tunes night after night. I never tired of it then, and I haven't tired of this recording. R & B like it should be.

FANTASTIC.......2006-11-29

This Double Album set is a Must-Have on the Double. Chaka Khan and Rufus rock the house on this live recording. And on the last track "Don't Go to Strangers" is so velvet, smooth and beautiful. (Ralph Burns penned the arrangements on this one incl. special guest Joe Sample on piano). This song is like a outstanding jazz standard which turns you on and keeps you going and feel blessed.

Get the vinyl.......2006-08-14

a) it sounds better and b) gatefold LP artwork beats the stuffing out of a 5" x 5" CD insert any day!

Live is Live.......2003-11-20

This is the best live recording I have ever heard. Rufus and Chaka were at their very, very best, so much so that some of the songs sound better than the original. The double cd also include 4 new songs including the now famous Ain't Nobody and a wonderful rendition of the jazz standard, Don't Go To Strangers. Chaka thrives when she sings jazz, just brilliant. A must have cd for any who loves live music.

One of the best live albums I ever heard.......2002-05-12

Rufus and Chaka are smokin' on this album. They sing their classic songs plus a few extras such as Ain't that pecular. Ain't nobody is a good track as well.

Average customer rating:

Very good album
I jumped for joy when this album won a Grammy award!
MS CHAKA IS "THE VOICE" ... IF YOU ENJOY REAL VOCALIZING!
Welcome Back Chaka!!!
R&B, JAZZ, POP, FUNK, IT'S ALL CHAKA and IT'S ATOMIC!!!!!!!

The Woman I Am
Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Naughty
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C.K.
I Feel for You

ASIN: B000002LM7
Release Date: 1992-04-14

Tracks:

Everything Changes
Give Me All
Telephone
Keep Givin' Me Lovin'
Facts Of Love
Love You All My Lifetime
I Want
You Can Make The Story Right
Be My Eyes
This Time
The Woman I Am
Love With No Strings
Don't Look At Me That Way

Customer Reviews:

Very good album.......2005-08-28

This is one of Chaka's best solo albums. Although it features early-90's production values, the strong songwriting and singing by Chaka more than compensate for the dated sounds.

There is a fine mix of R&B ("Love You All My Lifetime"), ballads ("Look At Me That Way"), dance-pop ("Facts of Love"), and even a reggae-tinged mid-tempo ballad (the stunning "Telephone"). All the tracks fit well together, making this one of Chaka's most cohesive solo albums.

I jumped for joy when this album won a Grammy award!.......2004-10-02

This album just shows Chaka Khan at her best. Probably her best solo album to date! You can just feel the soul and spirit of her singing in songs like Love You ALL my Lifetime, You can Make the Story Right, Keep Giving Me Lovin' and my favorite, the funky second song of the album by the Barnes production/writing duo. I played this back in 1992 and couldn't stop playing it--all the songs were superb! I was so happy that the album won a Grammy Award, for Best R&B album of something (forgot what category it was)! For that, those voters just were moved by that voice too! Even more than three decades later, she's still well loved by all of us with her passion for the music. If you haven't gotten this album, you need to see a psychologist, because you need to be moved by the soul and passion of Chaka Khan singing ovet these songs! Brilliant and excellent album!

MS CHAKA IS "THE VOICE" ... IF YOU ENJOY REAL VOCALIZING!.......2004-06-08

Reviewer: kprovo@hotmail.com
CHAKA KHAN, "The Woman I Am" (Warner Bros.) Review by Kirk Douglas Provo

Chaka Khan is unique among singers. A highly expressive artist possessing vast vocal resources, she can come across as wild R&B diva one moment, then effortlessly transforms herself into a purring jazz chanteuse the next. For the impassioned listener, enjoying a Chaka Khan recording often involves moments of careless abandon, along with joyful burst of elation. The casual, new listener may feel lost in a world of soulful wailing and jazz-scale phrasing more commonly found in vintage recordings by the likes of greats Bessie Smith and Sarah Vaughan.

Following a four year break between albums, Khan returns here in high form. Right from the Stevie Wonder-like churning funk drive of lead-off track "Everything Changes" over to the hip hop-jazz/soul sensibilities of "Give Me All", it's clear. The singer is not only back on the scene, but for the first time in the nearly ten years of an often erratic solo career with Warner Brothers Records, the artist is in control. For, regardless of the fact that "The Woman I Am" employs the services of a multitude of producers, writers, and co-writers alike, this album has an overall feeling of jointness and focus which has been lacking in Khan's otherwise engaging, yet over-looked output of recent years. As the title indicates, the former lead-singer of the innovative Rufus has firmly put her foot down. In a recording career spanning nearly twenty years, the artist has undertaken a more active behind-the-scenes role in the music she makes. Acting as Executive In Charge Of Production on this project, Khan has re-emerged as a songwriter too, and with quite the impressive offerings. "Telephone" is a reggae/funk fusion that could not be more tailor-made for Khan's unique brand of stylish singing. "Keep Givin' Me Lovin'" matches fun-loving, old-school Chaka-isms with quasi New-Jill rhythm tracks while "Facts Of Love", with its up to the minute production values is a good articulation of the varied stages of a romantic affair, offering shades of Rufus (Hawk Wolinski-like keyboard turns are prevalent)! "The Woman I Am" - All star writers/good message tune (Brenda Russell, actress/artist Dyan Cannon, with Chaka)! Chaka's growth as writer is evident. This song exudes confidence on many levels.

On the not-written-with-Chaka end we find tasteful choices in "Love You All My Lifetime", the album's first, chart-climbing single - a reunion with David Gamson of Scritti Polliti whom worked with Khan on 85's "Destiny" project. Very funky; immensely catchy chorus. Poignant, bittersweet renderings of verses. First-rate Chaka wailing announce that That Voice is not only still there but in GREAT shape! "I Want" - Chaka thrown to "recycled" call and response soul-funk groove. She, of course, tears it up! Lovely layering of her vocals. Exhibits fully-developed harmonising skills throughout. "You Can Make The Story Right" - Written and produced by the late Wayne Braithwaite, enough cannot be said about this bouncy mid-tempo track that is one of Chaka's best attempts at being current, yet herself. Smooth delivery. Very good song. Superb vocal choices by Chaka. "This Time" - another reunion here. Written in-part by David Lasley ("Roll Me Through The Rushes", from Chaka, her first solo outing). Pop ballad-Chaka ("Through The Fire", "Got To Be There") strikes again! Warm, caressing vocal; mature, full-bodied ... beautiful. "Don't Look At Me That Way" - What can you say ...?!! Penned by the almost-legendary-by-now Diane Warren. A ballad slightly a bit more on the pop side of things, with a great Chaka pop-ish vocal with splendid melody, tight bridge, infectious chorus typical of most Diane Warren compositions. As with "This Time", very radio friendly. Over all, "The Woman I Am" as an album is a captivating testimony of everything a good pop record should be - diverse, yet cohesive. A satisfying discovery in the other-wise bland music business of late. A tour de force that is at once a feel good romp and a reflective chronicle of someone coming to terms with all that they are and can aspire to be. Perhaps the finest display of all the woman that is Chaka since '82's "Chaka Khan" LP. The word on the street is true, Chaka Khan is back - and she is still very much Everywoman!!!

KDP

kprovo@hotmail.com

Welcome Back Chaka!!!.......2002-12-29

The Woman I Am was just the record Chaka Khan needed to produce as a respectable comeback in 1992. Every track is slammin'. My personal faves are the funky and jazzy numbers, ala Everything Changes, I Want, Love You All My Lifetime, Love With No Strings and Telephone. The Ballads are nice too. This Time is the perfect song to play at a wedding. Bravo to Chaka! She's the best!

R&B, JAZZ, POP, FUNK, IT'S ALL CHAKA and IT'S ATOMIC!!!!!!!.......2002-09-28

I can't recommend this album enough. I probably even wrote a review of it before...but I recently picked this up again and am still blown away. Every song is different and initially, it took a bit to grow on me but now it's forever in my best cd collection. The vocals are crystal, soulful beyond words, and HOTTER than lava. The music is good too with rythmic beats and unique melodies and bits of jazz, r/b, funk, pop all throughout. I love it. Check it out..this is what a real artist with a powerhouse voice and great songs can do! All others should bow down and worship the Queen!!

Average customer rating:

Vocal Acrabatics
Sleeker followup to first solo effort. . . .
"Naughty" and nice!
Ms Khan at her best
Simply the Best!!!

Naughty
Chaka Khan
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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What Cha' Gonna Do for Me
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ASIN: B000007NCE
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

Clouds
Get Ready, Get Set
Move Me No Mountain
Nothing's Gonna Take You Away
So Naughty
Too Much Love
All Night's All Right
What You Did
Papillon [aka Hot Butterfly]
Our Love's In Danger

Customer Reviews:

Vocal Acrabatics.......2007-05-15

Have you ever watched flying acrobats and been filled with awe at their capability and agility. Chaka is the vocal equivalent. She is unique and always exciting and innovative. Be transported into a world of remarkable musicianship, professionalism and polish. A real treat if you like the extra-ordinary.

Sleeker followup to first solo effort. . . ........2007-05-10

"Naughty" was a smoother, sleeker follow-up to "Chaka," the more raw, rough-hewn smash that featured her signature classic "I'm Every Woman." Despite the album's slickness, Chaka Khan's characteristic energy and abandon is on full blast on "Naughty"(I swear the woman must have seven lungs). Khan may have sometimes come across as an undisciplined R&B shouter, but on "Naughty" you get a chance to admire her way with a melody (the same is true on "Ask Rufus," her last truly great album with that group). "Move me no Mountain" starts off as smooth as silk before exploding with Khan's thrilling wail. "Chanson Papillon" is exquisite not only for Khan's amazingly smooth delivery, but also for the unmistakeable imprint and backing of the late great Luther Vandross, who gives the song a high-gloss finish--a nice counterbalance to Khan's wildness. The bluesy rock of "Get Ready, Get Set" and "All Night, All Right" are great sounding nods to her work with Rufus, while "Nothing's Gonna Take You Away", "Naughty" and "What you Did" signal her increasing fascination with jazz. Track for track, "Naughty" is probably the single best example of Khan's considerable stylistic range when she was at the peak of her powers.

"Naughty" and nice!.......2007-01-05

I bought this album as a record years ago when it first came out. I retired my turntable and didn't know whether I would enjoy this album as much as I did then, but to my delight I did. Chaka rules! And "Naughty" was my favorite of all her releases.

Ms Khan at her best.......2006-12-02

This is another one in my collection that recently made the very necessary transition from very worn vinyl to CD. Originally released in 1980, the album was produced by the legendary Arif Mardin, who sadly passed away recently. It's solo Chaka, i.e. without Rufus, at her best and this album is especially notable for featuring on background vocals, a very young Whitney Houston (on "Clouds" and "Our Love Is In Danger") and an - at the time - up and coming Luther Vandross (on "Papillon (aka Hot Butterfly)" and "Our Love Is In Danger"). Vandross's voice is particularly noticable on Papillon, which was a big hit for Khan, who was reportedly reluctant to let anyone do her backing vocals but herself. She and Mardin obviously knew talent when they heard it.

Personal favourites include "Clouds", (which was a huge club hit well into the 90s), "Get Ready, Get Set", "Move Me No Mountain", "What You Did" and "Papillon". But the truth is this is a solid set from start to finish. I'm a hopeless singer but this is one album I can never resist screeching along to every time I play it. If you're a Chaka fan, surely you must have this one already but if you'd like to find out how real female vocal r&b/soul was done back in the day, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Simply the Best!!!.......2006-07-31

No need to be wordy ,this is simply Chaka Khans greatest work!!
Pop this in your player, sit back and groove.The background vocals are awesome!!

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