Chaka Khan

This, I would have to say is absolutely, right on. Rufus and Chaka Kahn, were, and as far as I'm concerned one of the best from the 70's. This CD features some of the best from the group. It also brings back happy times for me back in the groovy 70's. What I'm really trying to say it's a must have.

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

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

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

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.

CK is one of my favorite singers - she is also a dynamic performer who can set the stage on fire when she is ON. And she was ON the night I saw her perform at the Mann Music Center. I'd had this album on my wish list for a while but after her performance of ANGEL, I had to have it - just listening to her that night I teared up. For me this autobiographical track is the standout on this disc, it's one of the few tracks I keep on repeat.

As I've stated about other performers who have had long careers, I think it's wonderful that they still have an interest in creating music and some work hard to produce music that fans will enjoy. It's wonderful that CK and the producers tried to recreate the magical funk that CK made with Rufus but not all of the tracks work to that end and sadly, I skip a few to get to the ones I truly enjoy.

The ones I love:

ANGEL - I can't say enough about this beautiful ballad, it is exquisite

BACK IN THE DAY - this is the one track that does take me back to the Rufus days

ONE FOR ALL TIME - love the acoustic sound

CASTLES MADE OF SAND - love the musical arrangement of this track

HAIL TO THE WRONG, WILL YOU LOVE ME?, FOOLISH FOOL

I really did not like the duet with Michael McDonald or the remakes of PACK'D MY BAGS/YOU GOT THE LOVE or DISRESPECTFUL (although you'd think a Chaka/Mary J collabo couldn't miss).

I'd highly recommend it to Chaka-holics and for the uninformed, I'd highly recommend you try to get your hands on the single, ANGEL.

As a fan of this dynamic woman, though the album did what it was supposed to do - gave me some new Chaka tunes to listen to and enjoy.

I have been a Chaka Fan for as long as I can remember. She is one of my all-time favorite singers. However, I must admit that this CD is not that good. After listening to it twice, I wanted a refund. Also, how this CD won a Grammy is beyond me. As far as I'm concerned, a young, talented R&B artist was robbed out of a Grammy.

I was very pleased after hearing the album. Chaka is truly an outstanding
vocalist; and her voice and music are extraordinary. The arrangements are quite uplifting and move the spirit and the soul. Very enjoyable music and entertaining.

What'z Up Wit Cha? Chaka Khan


Sheila - This is such an honor and a pleasure interviewing you are definitely one of the people on the list that I said I must interview this person.
Chaka - Thank you.

Sheila - So Interpretations, the project. I heard the album and I was just blown away.
Chaka - It is good. Isn't it? Everyone did a good job. I think that Ledisi really did a great job.

Sheila - Whew, she killed it. She tore that song up. I loved her and of course I loved you and I was really taken by The Randy Watson Experience featuring Bilal who did "Can't Hide Love". I was like, "Who are they?" No disrespect but I had never heard of them before.
Chaka - Yeah, they were pretty good. I know them and they are good.

Sheila - I noticed that you were the only industry veteran included of your caliber. I mean, Angie Stone has been around for years as well but ...
Chaka - I was the oldest person on the album.

Sheila - Now see, I wasn't gonna say that. LOL
Chaka - Hey, it is what it is.

Sheila - Were you surprised to be included?
Chaka - I would have been surprised not to have been included. We all go back to Chicago.

Sheila - I should have known that. I ready your book.
Chaka - You read my book?

Sheila - I sure did. I got home with your book at around 4:00pm. I was done by 1:00am.
Chaka - Everyone says the same thing. It's really an easy read.

Sheila - No, that's because we don't want to put it down. It was such a great read. It's so inspirational. I was like "Wow". In this story you are a heroine. You went down those roads but look at where you are today and the lives that you have changed in the process. I just think that you are phenomenal.
Chaka - I'm glad to be here to tell the story.

Sheila - Amen to that. What does it mean to you to be included in a project like Interpretations?
Chaka - I'm really honored. Maurice has contributed so much and this is our way of giving back to him. His impact on music and this industry has been huge. Their music has really inspired me as an artist.

Sheila - That's really interesting to hear you say that because you don't really think about how artist whom are pretty much peers would inspire one another. Would you want an Interpretations project such as this one done of your music?
Chaka - Sure. I'd say, go for it.

Sheila - Who would you pick to be on it?
Chaka - Well I know I'd pick Ledisi but that's a hard question because there is so much good talent out there today. As with the EWF project the challenge comes in trying to make that song your own.

Sheila - By the way, I love what you did with RESPECT for the Aretha Franklin tribute. Not that I was surprised because I know who you are but you are right in that there are times when people remake someone's song and the magic is lost and then there are some songs that just don't need to be remade.
Chaka - I absolutely agree. I have people suggest to me all of the time that I should remake a song and I tell them, 'Hey, that's been done already'.

Sheila - I noticed that with your jazz album, all of the songs still had your special touch to it. It honored those songs but it had your signature.
Chaka - That's the only way I can do it. It has to be my way and I've been blessed to have the music in me allowing me to do that.

Sheila - That's a gift.
Chaka - Yes, it really is.

Sheila - Its a great achievement for Maurice White and the other EWF members to be celebrating 37 years of history making music and the years alone are quite an accomplishment.
Chaka - Well, I dropped my first project in 1973. It wasn't too long after them.

Sheila - What event would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?
Chaka - Working with Miles Davis. That's something that I'll always cherish. I guess right now it would be working with Ramsey Lewis.

Sheila - Now I'm skipping ahead of my questions but are you working on a project?
Chaka - Yeah, I'm in the studio right now.

Sheila - Wonderful. I would love to do whatever I can to help with the promotions, not that you probably even need it.
Chaka - Oh that would be great. I appreciate that and I want you to call my office and work that out.

Sheila - I sure will. I have to tell you that I'm not musically inclined but I love the music and I do what I do because I love the music.
Chaka - If it wasn't for you, what good would I be? If it wasn't for people like you, where would the artist be? It's those journalist like you and your willingness to support our projects that helps us to get and stay where we are.

Sheila - Oh thank you so much for saying that. I do what I do especially for veteran artist like you. Your contribution to Interpretations is your giving thanks to Maurice and EWF and my supporting projects like this is my thanks for all of the contributions that you wonderful artist have made to music. All to often I hear people complain about the music but it's those same people that won't go out and purchase the music of those artist that they claim they love so much.

Chaka - That's so true and I'm so blessed, really to still be in the mix but that's why I can't listen to the radio.

Sheila - It's difficult. Really it is but I say thank GOD for advances in technology because we don't have to listen to the radio. We can research out our favorite artist and purchase their music without having to wait for the radio to play their songs. When I interviewed Alexander O'Neal, I asked him to imagine how much farther his career would have been if he had been privy to the technology that is out today and he said to me that in the earlier days of his career, Black artist weren't even allowed to cross over.

Chaka - Now that's just too much to even think about.

Sheila - Well with technology; for example do you have a Myspace page?

Chaka - Yeah I do. I also have a message board on my website and once a month, I go on and I chat with people.

Sheila - REALLY?

Chaka - Yeah.

Sheila - Do they know it's you?

Chaka - Yep. I got my website and I interact with my subscribers. The truth of the matter is that I really don't have the time to be on there everyday. It takes up so much time.

Sheila - Yes it does. I've had conversations with some of my industry friends regarding how they can use technology to their advantage. For example, many of them have thousands of fans particularly on Myspace. That's technology at its finest. Look at Prince. I tell you that man is the truth. He was the first to take full advantage of technology. I swear, a college needs to have a Prince class and study this man because he is so brilliant.

Chaka - Yes, he is the best. As you know I've worked with him. I'm with you about technology. Very soon I am going to be auctioning off those suede pants that I wore on the Sweet Thing album. You know the ones I had on sitting on the lip couch.

Sheila - Get outta here.

Chaka - No really, I am.

Sheila - Do you know that is my favorite cover of yours? I love the whole suede with the feathers. I always have.

Chaka - I recently ran into the guy that designed and made that outfit. I was out in Chicago and we hooked up. He made a lot of my outfits in those days and we talked and decided that we were gonna do something together. We are going to have a line.

Sheila - You most definitely should because I love the leather pieces that you wear. They are always so unique and I know that you've always worn leather.

Chaka - Thank you.

Sheila - Chaka, I can talk to you for hours. I am really enjoying this conversation. I almost forgot that I was conducting an interview but I don't want to take up too much of your time. This has been so beautiful and I thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

Chaka - Sheila, anytime and I look forward to talking to you again. GOD bless you.

Sheila - Same to you.

Visit Chaka Khan on her official website at http://www.chakakhan.com and stay tuned for her new project!

© 2007 Sheila Chadwick for Word On The Street

If you don't already own this one, you MUST purchase it! This is the hottest Chaka production to come out in a few years. She is singing her face off! The new material is terrific and the covers are just as wonderful. Sung by anyone else these songs would be lackluster and mediocre at best, but in Chaka's extremely capable hands (or should I say, "vocal chords") each song takes on a life all its own.

This is not a cut on Chaka Khan, who is fantastic. It is just that this album has too many non-hits and not enough of Ms. Khan's chart toppers. I mean how can you have a Chaka Khan greatest hits album and not have "Sweet Thing" on it. Come on now!

Listening to this brings back memories. It's my soundtrack right now. Love having it. "comfort music"

Something different this time from Rufus featuring Chaka Khan: only one funk song on the whole album!! And, that was the first song! But, this album works by showcasing Ms. Khan's singing talents, and the rest of the band as well.

I remember this album (yes I said album) when I was in high school. It still holds the same impact it did back then. Chaka Khan's strong vocals with Rufus background sound is, at the same time, melodic and forceful without being hard on the ears. And the dance cuts still make you get up and shake your booty.

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

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?

Chaka Khan has a sensuous and lovely vocal range. The songs in this collection include "Ain't Nobody;" "Papillon (Aka Hot Butterfly)" (great song and sound); "Tell Me Something Good" (great song, reminds me of an episode on that "70's Show;" "I Feel For You" (introduced Chaka Khan to my generation); "I Know You, I Live You;" "I'm Every Woman" (beats Whitney Houston's any day); "Love Me Still;" "The End Of A Love Affair;"
"And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia);" "Through The Fire" (my absolute favorite Chaka Khan song); "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me;" "Everywhere;" "Never Miss The Water;" "Somethin' Deep;" "Your Love Is All I Know;" and "Every Little Thing." This disc has captured the soul of one of America's best known singers, Chaka Khan. Today's generation could learn a thing or two from her if not more especially about endurance and longevity.

Chaka has a powerful voice, and a powerful band, that will take you on an emotional ride. And this is a long album that is consistently good. The only thing that would make me hesitant to recommend this is the possibility that there may be better options out there from the same artist. She has cut quite a lot of discs over the years.

Ain't Nobody and Through The Fire (as recently mangled by Kanye West) are the highlights for me. Papillon and Tell Me Something Good (live) are awesome too. There are some ballads here, and Love Me Still is the best of these.

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!

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.

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.

I've had this for a while & never really listened to it. I don't know why cause Chaka does not disappoint. However, if you're not a fan of the classics & can't appreciate them, this CD isn't for you. But if you are, then it's an extra plus to have the classics sung by a classic. Ms. Kahn blows the lid off these songs as only she can. And the orchestra is an extra boost. I'm glad to own it. It's nice to have on in the background while working.

Chaka is awesome! You can truly see why she is so wonderful a singer. She belts out these classics like a person from that era. A little bit of money for a lot of entertainment.

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.

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'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.

I bought this music as an audio cassette when it originally came out. I feel the same way now as I listen to one of our musical legends at her absolute peak. Phenomenal performances, exquisite compositions, lush arrangements, 5-star production, and Chaka making history! Thank you Amazon on behalf of myself and my Ipod!!
L.Webb

This 1981 bombshell is one of my favourite albums of all time, from one of my favourite female vocalists of all time and is a truckload full of hits. Maybe not hits in the traditional Billboard Hot 100 sense of the word but definitely hits, I am willing to bet, in the hearts and minds of Chaka Khan fans worldwide. To me, "We Can Work It Out", "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me", "I Know You, I Live You", "Any Old Sunday", "Night Moods", "Father He Said", "Fate", and the instant classic "And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)" with that special guest appearance from Dizzy Gillespie and that scorching Clavitar solo by Herbie Hancock, are all hits. (And Chaka's vocals on that last song are spellbinding). I always knew the woman had range but I remember the first time I heard that song. I simply couldn't believe it. It's still hard to believe, 26 years later.

The album is pretty much five star flawless from beginning to end. Chaka Khan is a rare breed of singer, the likes of which probably only come along once in a lifetime. I imagine most people have a favourite female vocalist; even among my own peer group, some love Aretha Franklin, some are into Patti LaBelle, while others adore Phyllis Hyman. While I admire all these women, with me, it has always been and will always be Chaka Khan. With faultless production from Arif Mardin, I feel this is an R&B, soul and jazz album in a class on its own.

They don't make them like this anymore, unfortunately.

Wow! What a powerful voice! Listen to this album and you will see what I mean. First of all this album hit the streets back in 1981 and proved to the music world that Chaka Khan was in the same league as legendary artists such as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick. Chaka's WHAT CHA' GONNA DO FOR ME was certified gold and the title track topped the R&B singles chart. My favorite tracks have to be the title track, "Any Old Sunday", and "Father He Said." The latter mentioned does not seem to garner much merit, but the fact that her vocals are awesomely powerful make it worth my listen every time I play this album. Also try Chaka's 1980 album NAUGHTY, which is just as good as this one, maybe a tad better in terms of continuity of material.

I thought that Chaka Khan's first two records were quite good. The arrangements straddled different genres and her vocal acrobatics and harmonies were intense. The musicians she used were all first rate...I confess to really discovering Chaka in the early 90's when I was finishing high school but once "The Woman I Am" sunk into my subconscious I was intenseley hooked- to the point of delving into her back catalogue and I have not been disappointed since. What amazes me is listening to her and others from that time period and hearing how innovative and genre bending music was a norm as a result the state of music and the music industry have become quite sad pushing for genres and keeping music fragmented.
"What'cha Gonna Do For Me is a great album that shows Chaka's versatility. Her penchant for jazz started to show with her rendition of "Night in Tunisia". Arif Mardin's studio wizardry is put to good use tweaking hi hats and fairlight on "Heed The Warning" and on the great ballad "Night Moods"(which I'm surprised was not put on her "Greatest Hits' package. Amazing vocal arrangements!!). "We Got Each Other" is a great funky track which features her brother Mark Stevens. I'm also surprised they never collaborated more since most of their collaborations were on the mark (check out "Some Love" and "What You Did").This album has a few songs that have been sampled for current house music productions by notable House veterans MAW and Mike Clark("I know You I Live You") and Stardust's 'Music sounds Better With You' lifted a bar from 'Fate'. If that's not a testament of Chaka's influence and timelessness then I don't know what is. My only gripe is that this LP should be remastered.

I will have to say I'm a huge Chaka fan but I don't own all of her albums so it's exciting for me to be going back and buying everything that I missed in the early 80s as I didn't get hip to Chaka until "I Feel For You" and even at that time I didn't realize her greatness. While "I Feel For You" was a great commercial success, this album is a great body of work with every song being an excellent one. The expression of the title track goes unsaid but classics such as, "We Got Eachother" and "I Know YOu, I Live You" stand out to me among an album filled with wonderful songs... Chaka is one of, if not the greatest female vocalist of the 20th and 21st century and this album is a testament to that fact. If you read the jacket, Arif Mardin writes an explanation of how he came up with the idea for remaking and rewriting Dizzie Gillespie's "Night In Tunisia" but the vocal arrangements and harmnonies were totally Chaka's idea and was not even planned; she just up and did it. She is wonderful and that's why to me, she is greater than Aretha or any of the others. She doesn't have to try; she just sings. She is truly God's gift.

Wow...this song speaks to my heart! I bought the cd and still have the album. If you like the "vintage, familiar sound" of Chaka, get this cd. Thanks for the fond memories!

This CD is great. All the music makes you feel like in other place...and a good ones

This is a must have if you are any type of Chaka Khan fan. She's recorded some other great material as a solo artist, but by this one being her first one, it is one that every fan should get and keep in their archives.

R&B is branded with well known names like Aretha, James, Marvin, etc.. But a big brand doesnt allways brings the best, sometimes small hidden gems beat the big brands, just like chaka does....

Great album for it's time but I did not like it as much as I liked it back in the 80's - my music preferences are different now.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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!!

Groovy album by unsung heroes of R&B/Dance/Funk. Chaka Khan is at her best here before over-production drowned out her rootsy, groovin charm.

One of the big problems with how the record studios started letting most anyone get on a record is that they let most anyone get on a record. When you listen to this one, you know you're listening to talent all around. It something that can't be duplicated with any amount of studio gimmickry or production. Lots of soul here and a tight band too.

Wow... what a great album. I was mildly familiar with Rufus and Chaka Khan, and this album does not disappoint the new listener. Chaka Khan has an amazing voice and the music is so funky and sexy at the same time. Usually, I would buy a "greatest hits" package when sampling a band, but after reading some reviews on this site, I decided to go with this one. Definitely a great album for the seasoned Rufus fan and for the newcomers as well. Highly recommend this!!

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.

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!