Chaka Khan - A Profile

Chaka Khan is celebrating her 70th birthday today so as a tribute we have put together a playlist of 40 of, what we consider, her best recordings. Some of her mid 80s recordings and obvious hits have been deliberately omitted as we've all heard these a million times!

Having performed with local Chicago groups from around 1969, Chaka replaced Paulette McWilliams in Rufus in 1972 recording five albums with them before going solo in 1978 but appeared on a further three up to 1983. Her first solo hit was "I'm Every Woman" in 1978 (R&B #1 / Hot 100 #23) but her biggest hit was "I Feel For You" reaching #1 R&B and #3 Hot 100.

It may come as a surprise to discover that, in a recording career spanning 50 years, she has had only 2 US Top 40 solo pop hits with "I'm Every Woman" (1978) and "I Feel For You" (1984). She achieved seven with Rufus. In the UK she has fared a little better with those two along with "This Is My Night" (1984), "Eye To Eye" (1985) and two remixes of "I'm Every Woman" and "Ain't Nobody" all being UK Top 20 pop hits. In the R&B chart she has had a dozen Top 20 hits with eight of them being top 10 and three #1s.

Khan has recorded around fifteen solo albums (13 studio and 2 live) plus eight with Rufus between 1974-83. She has won ten Grammys and sold an estimated 70m records.

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Chaka Khan [2022] - Woman Like Me [The SoNo Recording Group]

When a legend such as Chaka Khan releases new music it cannot be ignored. However, I'm afraid to say that this new song "Woman Like Me" doesn't do anything for me (and I have also received opinions from some highly respected soul people to make sure I'm not out on a limb with my opinion) but I'll post it up anyway so you can make your own decision on it. I think it's trying to please everyone i.e. the pop market which may alienate soul music lovers as this to me is not remotely soulful!

You may disagree, that's your prerogative, but I'm also entitled my opinion and I'm not going to pretend to like a mediocre song just because it's sung by Chaka Khan. If it wasn't Chaka Khan singing it then it would more than likely be completely ignored!  She deserves a much better song than this. It is also derivative, I can't quite put my finger on it but think it may sound similar to an Alicia Keys song?

I don't usually write negative reviews but feel we need some balance as, I'm sorry to say that, this is everything that is wrong with the music business and society in general, celebrity wins over quality every time. Independent artists release far superior music and put their heart and soul and own money into it which, in the main, is ignored and 'mainstream' artists release mediocre music and the media is all over it and hence the 'blind' follow because of who it is and not on merit! Time for a reality check methinks!

Details

Rating:	-
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	The SoNo Recording Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/07/2022
Key/BPM:	10A/92
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Chaka Khan [2021] - When The Time Comes (Everybody's Talking About Jamie OST) [Island]

When Chaka Khan releases new music you don't ignore it, even if this track is from a movie adaptation of a musical about a gay teenager from Sheffield who wants to be a drag queen, "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" which has a rating of only 5.7/10 on IMDB.

She co-wrote "When The Time Comes" with the movie's writers Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae. The flute intro sounds like something from a cartoon and repeats a couple of times throughout the song which I feel spoils it.  It seems like a bit of an odd departure for 'The Queen of Funk', although once the song gets going it sounds like something she could have recorded in the 80s. 

Obviously, for a musical movie, it is very pop and disco oriented, so I find it difficult being objective from a purely soul perspective but the voice of Chaka Khan is in fine form and unmistakable. I offer it up for you to make your own mind up on it.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Album / Soundtrack
Media:	Digital
Label:	Island
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Key/BPM:	5A/106
Value:	£1

Chaka Khan & Idina Menzel [2021] - I'm Every Woman (IWD 2021)

It was International Women's Day last Monday which I celebrated with posts from some of the biggest female black music artists of the 20th century.  What I missed though was that Chaka Khan recorded a new version of her debut solo single 'I'm Every Woman' with Idina Menzel to commemorate the day.

I also found a 2021 rework by French DJ Kmell and a new release of a cover of it by Tinashe, so thought I'd bundle them all into a single post along with a few other noteworthy versions.

Chaka Khan & Idina Menzel [2021] - I'm Every Woman

I don't think it's commercially available.

SoulBounce article

Billboard article

Chaka Khan [2021] - I'm Every Woman (Kmell Rework 2021)

Tinashe Feat. TOKiMONSTA [2021] - I'm Every Woman (From 'Black History Always / Music For the Movement Vol. 2') [Hollywood]

Released 26 Feb 2021. More style over substance methinks!

Deborah Cox [2017] - I'm Every Woman [Broadway]

Aretha Franklin [2014] - I'm Every Woman / Respect [RCA #88875 03488 1]

'Probably' the ultimate 'womans's anthem' must be this medley of 'I'm Every Woman & Respect' by Aretha Franklin from her 2014 album 'Sings Great Diva Classics'.

Whitney Houston [1993] - I'm Every Woman [Arista #07822-12519-7]

Chaka Khan & Prince [1998] - Sweet Thing [Live @ Cafe De Paris, London]

I'm posting some 'randon' stuff today as new releases have all but dried up.

This is a live performance by Chaka Khan with Prince in 1998 (28 Aug) at Cafe de Paris in London.  It is arguably her best known 70s song, 'Sweet Thing', which was her second highest charting single with Rufus in US (#5) in 1975, after 'Tell Me Something Good' (#3) the previous year.

'The Artist (formerly known as Prince)', as he liked to be referred then, co-produced, and co-wrote 11 of the 14 tracks, on Chaka Khan's 1998 album 'Come 2 My House'.

Her 1984 hit 'I Feel For You' was written by Prince and he originally recorded it in 1979 on his second, self-titled, album.

Chaka v Luther v Aretha & Stevie - Until You Come Back To Me

This post's title says it all as I'm sure that just from the first names you know already exactly who to expect.

This is the result when muscial genius collides - Chaka Khan and Luther Vandross covering a song made famous by Aretha Franklin (who had #3 Hot 100 /#1 R&B hit with it in 1973), which was co-written by Stevie Wonder (with Morris Broadnax and Clarence Paul) who first recorded it in 1967 (but unreleased until 1977 on a compilation 'Looking Back').

Chaka Khan (Live)

Aretha Franklin & Stevie Wonder (Live)

It is such a blessing what can be found on YT. Here's Aretha & Stevie in duet on the song in 2005.

Luther Vandross (Live)

The master of interpretation Luther Vandross doing his arrangement of the song as a medley Superstar/Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) from 'Busy Body' and released as a single in 1984 but only reached #87 on Hot 100!

Hil St. Soul (Live)

Whilst we're here it would be rude not to include Hil St. Soul's live version. It is the song that turned me onto them when it was released in 2000 from their debut album 'Soul Organic'. It's great to see they seem to be finally getting the recognition deserved albeit 20 years later!

Fourplay [2020] - The Closer I Get to You (Feat. Patti Austin & Peabo Bryson) [2020 Remastered]

Now here's some quality from Fourplay (which consists of Bob James (piano), Nathan East (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Lee Ritenour (guitar)) featuring Patti Austin and Peabo Bryson covering a classic ballad originally recorded by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway in 1977.

This was released last November (2020) on The Best Of Fourplay [2020 Remastered] which is a 2020 re-issue of their 1997 album with this track as an additional track not on the 1997 album.

Another noteworthy track is a cover of The Isley Brothers - 'Between The Sheets' featuring Chaka Khan and Nathan East.

Chaka Khan [2007] - Angel [Burgundy #88697 15835 2]

Taken from her 'Funk This' album from 2007 is this stunning deep soul ballad from Chaka Khan - Angel which she co-wrote with James Wright.

Only legitimately available on CD (either album or promo CD single) although some 12" bootleg 'Shelter' remixes are floating around.

'Funk This' won a Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2008 to add to the 9 others she has already (so far) received in her career from 22 nominations. Another one she won in 2003 was for her rendition of 'What's Going On' she recorded with The Funk Brothers which I posted recently here.

Personally I think this is possibly the finest record she has ever released.  It is inconceivable (to me) that this song did not even make the Billboard Hot 100 (reached #127) and needless to say did nothing in UK - perhaps it wasn't officially released as a single as there seem to be only promos available? Have a listen and make up your own mind.

What's Going On?

After having a peek at the latest UK Soul Chart, I noticed that Devon Gilfillian has done a re-recording of Marvin Gaye's seminal album What's Going On.  The soulful female vocals on the title track are from Jasmine Cephas-Jones .There is an interview with Devon here.

On 22nd September 2020 Rolling Stone published The 500 Greatest Albums  Of All Time and top of the list is What's Going On.

This led me to start wondering how many cover versions there are of the title track.  I checked out Second Hand Songs and it lists 202, but I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of others not listed!  It is hard to believe that this legendary song is now over 50 years old as it was first recorded in June 1970, but not actually released until Jan 1971!

I explored as many as I could find and bring you the highlights here.  Some of the versions are pretty bad it has to be said - which begs the question why?  If you're going to attempt to cover such an iconic song then at least do it differently or at least do a good job otherwise you've opened yourself up to criticism.

The Funk Brothers Feat. Chaka Khan

For me the undeniable best version (which, dare I even suggest, may even be better than Gaye's original) has to be The Funk Brothers Feat. Chaka Khan from the 2002 Standing In The Shadows Of Motown CD, especially as this is a one-take live version. 

Joe Longthorne

It may surprise many (in UK especially) that my next favourite version is by none other than Joe Longthorne (a UK TV personality).  It came out on Especially For You LP in 1989 and was also on a budget Music For Pleasure LP, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, in 1994 (from which this clip is taken).  He does a pretty good job of Jackie Wilson's Sweetest Feeling too which I don't think he ever recorded (the link is a live version performed on his TV show - it doesn't give a date but from his clothes I'd say late 80s/early 90s!)

David T. Walker with Bernard Pretty Purdie

David T. Walker with Bernard Pretty Purdie did a beautiful 9 minute live guitar instrumental version in Shibuya, Tokyo 1993 - I defy you to keep your feet still to this rendition with the incessant and hypnotic beat of Purdie.  He released a shorter version on his self-titled 1973 album on Ode.

Donny Hathaway

Yet another live version makes the cut, and how could I leave out the late great Donny Hathaway's version recorded in 1972.

GQ

In 1999 GQ released The GQ Tribute Album consisting of covers of Billy Stewart & Marvin Gaye songs. It includes a great version of What's Going On. GQ are best known for their late 70s/early 80s Arista releases: Disco Nights(Rock Freak) and Make My Dreams A Reality and their covers of Billy Stewart's Sitting In The Park and I Do Love You.

C-Nario

There is a nice 'steppers' version by a female trio C-Nario (Terri, Nicole & Iona) who I'd not come across until I uncovered their version.  I presume that they are from Chicago as the 2001 album ('Turn Around') it is taken from was produced by Clarence Johnson and Eugene Record and released on Chi-City.  This was their second and last album (the first, self-titled, album was also released on Chi-City in 1997). Only 2 albums and an EP (which features 2 versions of What's Going on and a cover of the Jones Girls  - Your'e Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else) were released on the label, all by C-Nario, although it is also credited with re-issuing The Lovelites superb compilation The Lovelite years.  If any reader knows further information about C-Nario or Chi-City then please get in touch as I can find no further info..

Anthony David

A later version by Anthony David which only appeared on a 3 CD compilation, Song Of America, in 2007

Next up are a couple of British versions.  Mica Paris and Seal both recorded albums full of covers. 

Mica Paris

Mica Paris did it on Soul Classics in 2005

Seal

Seal recorded a 'faithful' version  on Seal Soul 2 in 2011.

Salomé Pieris

The next is 'probably' an obscure version to most unless you are Dutch as it is from Salomé Pieris, a Voice of Holland contestant in 2012 reaching the quarter finals.  This has a nice 'stepping' vibe to it.

Nicholas David

Now the next one is a pleasant surprise. Nicholas David was also a Voice contestant, this time from the US show in 2012.  He sang What's Going On to reach the top 6 and ultimately came 3rd in the competition.  This is a silky smooth version.  He is the most unlikely looking blue-eyed soul singer resembling more of a heavy rocker (see his live performance here)!  Since 2004, he has recorded 6 studio albums and 2 EPs, none have charted.  He was 'chosen' by CeeLo Green and did a duet with Smokey Robinson singing Cruisin' in the final stages of the show.

Playing For Change Feat. Sarah Bareilles

An eclectic version from Playing For Change Feat. Sarah Bareilles from Songs Around The World released in 2013.

Profyle

Another version which seems to only appear on a compilation is Profyle who had a hit with Liar in 2000. Their version appeared on Marvin Gaye is 60 - A Tribute Album released in 1999. 

Tommy Blaize

Finally, I'll leave you with someone you probably know (if you're UK based) ... but perhaps don't know it. Tommy Blaize is a singer on UK TV show Strictly Come Dancing. He recorded a version on his debut solo album 'Life And Soul' in 2017.

Incognito Feat. Mario Biondi & Chaka Khan [2010] - Lowdown [Dome]

Soul Strutter's Rating 8.5

Lead track taken from Incognito's 'Transatlantic R.P.M.' their 30th Anniversary album released in 2010 is a cover version of Boz Scaggs 1976 hit featuring Mario Biondi (Italy's Barry White!) and Chaka Khan.

Boz Scaggs [1976] - Lowdown [Columbia 3-1-367]

The original from Boz Scaggs which I guess would be classed as Yacht Rock these days?