Chaka Khan - Funk This
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.08 You Save: $11.89 (66%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.13 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Funk This
Free Music Review: A Triumph For The First Lady Of Funk!
Hit: 5 Stars
Chaka Khan has spent the last decade and a half in a pitch battle with the music industry,alternately praising their efforts for championing new talent again yet shinning on them regarding their lack of commitment to artistic vision. So she took charge of her career in a unique way (without recording contracts) on her 1998 release Come 2 My House and then a more trendy album of standards. In 2007 she pretty much came full circle as she released this album and,thankfully it truly lives up to it's title. Now true it is a full on funk album in every sense of the word but NOT merely an album of dance grooves. This offers up the tradition of the classic 70's funk album that presents the genre in many tempos and stylistic shadings. In fact it maintains the flavor of her Rufus days more so than any solo music she's ever done and thanks in part to some excellent writing on her part and the highly sympathetic production of Jam/Lewis this is quite possibly the best and most consistant release she's made since the early 80's.
Most of the music here was written by Chaka and yes-most of it is oriented toward hard uptempo funk. The album plays out as something of a loose musical biography of the intertwining nature of her life and career and she starts out the whole thing with the hard,choppy guitar funk of "Back In The Day",showcasing Chaka's voice in one it's most growling states. She maintains a similar flavor again right after on the somewhat slower "Fooolish Fool" and follows that with three jazzy soul style and wonderfully orchestrated slower grooves "One For All Time","Angel" and "Will You Love Me". There are a few covers here,all pretty hard funk from her appropriately psychedelic soul style of Hendrix's "Castles Made Of Sand",a slightly modernized but very similarly done version of Prince's "Sign O The Times";Prince is someone she really seems to like as she's had more involvment with him than many other musicians she's kept company with. A similar effect is achieved on an interpretation of "You Belong To Me",finding her dueting with Michael McDonald and both in fine growly style.
Since this is a "past,present and future" styled recording she also reunites with Tony Maiden for a modernized medley of Rufus's "Pack'd My Bags/You Got The Love"-both are much slicker produced than the originals but maintain their flavor wonderfully. On the other hand this album really shows it's meat in the new material such as the mean,high stomping funk of "Disrespectful",appropriately matching the artist up with Mary J Blige,at first called "the new Chaka Khan" to see how they'd actually match up and,although Chaka's voice has far more power in many ways it's a winning combination. The album is rounded out with four highly well written funk that's extremely song oriented such in "Hail To The Wrong","Super Life","Ladies Man" and the high energy disco-funk of the bonus track "Let Go". The best thing about this album is not only that it refuses to settle for the repetetive,electronic and generic hip-hip/R&B styles that were almost unavoidable at the time but actually looks to find a way to modernize the production of the original 70's/80's funk without destroying it's own flavors. Personally I am expected wonderful things for the follow up but am not sure how she'll ever top this one!
Free Music Review: Chaka Brings the Heat!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Harkening back to her days with the groundbreaking r & b group Rufus, Funk This is an excellent set of originals and remakes that provide ample evidence why Chaka is considered perhaps the greatest funk vocalist ever. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have assembled a set of first-rate musicians and compositions that fit Chaka like a glove, further reminding us that Funk This is going to be something we have not heard in quite some time.
Several reviewers of Funk This have claimed this to be Chaka's first release in 10 years (since "Come 2 My House"). Those reviewers negligently overlook 2004's wonderful Classikhan, which had Chaka teamed with the London Symphony Orchestra. Though almost entirely remakes, it cannot be flatly said that this is her first release in 10 years. But while on "Classikhan" Chaka lends her formidable jazz and blues chops to re-imagine some classic songs (including scorching versions of "Diamonds Are Forever," and "Goldfinger"), she brings pure, unadulterated funk to her latest endeavor.
From Tony Maiden's guitar licks on the opener "Back In the Day," and Chaka's first line "Guess I grew up fast/in Chi-town," you know you are in for a singular performance. There are too many other highlights to mention: the hook-drenched "Will You Love Me?" (with its "wall of Chakas), the funky "Hail To The Wrong" (those handclaps!), the beautifully rendered and structured "Angel," the aching "One For All Time," Chaka's reading of Joni Mitchell's "Ladies Man" and Jimi's "Castles Made of Sand," (the latter featuring Jesse Johnson's guitar doing a darn good Hendrix interpretation), the gritty version Dee Dee Bridgewater's "Foolish Fool" (with Aaron Spears' kickdrum at the bridge), and the blistering duet with Mary J. Blige, "Disrespectful." Though on the last, we've heard the backbeat before (Amerie's "One Thing"), nothing (and noone) can match the vocal pyrotechnics on display. When Chaka belts out the last verse--" You so/Shady/Lowdown/Crazy/You think that I want to see you?/You out yo' mind??!!"--and she hurls that last word "mind" into the stratosphere, you know you are in the presence of a style that can never be duplicated.
But what gives this set a five-star: Chaka's rendition of Prince's "Sign `O The Times." Her sizzling interpretation is put atop a rhythmic stew of swirling, punctuating guitar licks, bass, keyboards, and drums. As if that were not enough, it morphs into sonic nirvana as the "whoa, whoa, whoa-aa" coda from Chaka's classic "I'm Every Woman" emerges, and Chaka adds a hopeful declaration to Prince's excellent but darker lyrics, while belting out highs and lows that are simply not on the charts.
Chaka, Jimmy, and Terry have created a set that reminds us all what great musicianship and singing is all about. With an unparalleled combination of vocal range (four octave) and power, Funk This demonstrates once again why Chaka deserves the distinction of having one of the most amazing and influential voices in modern popular music. Note to the academy: don't overlook this performance at Grammy time.
(also Posted to ITunes)
Free Music Review: FINE & FUNKY GRAMMY WINNER~BRAVO CHAKA!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Legendary singer Chaka Khan is red-hot & fiery in this tremendous collection of stunning vocal performances that are among her best ever & opening with a self-penned funky grinder "Back In The Day", it is obvious the legendary lady is back in peak form in a grandiose & inspired production...late legendary singer/songwriter Ed Townsend's timeless "Foolish Fool" is definitive here featuring a gritty raw performance from Chaka that is soul-deep and satisfying.
Something very special about "Funk This" are winning self-penned keepers like the unique & rhythmic complex "One For All Time" and numerous others which show Chaka to be a wonderfully accomplished songwriter/composer making it easy to why this masterful & tremendous collection earned Chaka Khan two Grammy Awards...BRAVO CHAKA!
Chaka is back better than ever and a classic Khan performance is always a joy to behold so sit back and listen in wonder to "Angel" and be stunned by a performance of great depth and beauty...be enthralled by an artist at the peak of her wondrous ability to take the listener to another dimension in a haunting and brilliant way.
"Will You Love Me?" is exotic & mesmerizing with another brilliant Kahn vocal hitting scorching heights while a fascinating Jimi Hendrix original "Castles Made Of Sand" is an engrossing rocker then hold on for the Grammy winning duet with Chaka & Mary J. in awesome from making "Disrespectful" the greatest DIVA DUAL in many years while in better musical times than this current musical drought, "Sign'O'The Times" penned by Prince would have been a huge #1 Blockbuster Hit like "I Feel For You"...magnificent in every way, this funky anthem will grow on anyone who loves a brilliant magical musical ride after a just a few spins...awesome arrangement and Chaka hits incredible vocal heights!
By now it is clear the amazing team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are the perfect match made in musical heaven for Chaka Khan as every song is unique and brilliant with totally inspired musicians giving it all they've got!!! Let's wish & hope this wondrous team goes in to the studio to produce another stunning musical masterpiece as this feel good music for the soul is as good as it gets!
Bravo Chaka & Co...you guys really rock and did it all this time!!!!!
Free Music Review: A True Classic!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a true blue fan of Chaka Khan since 1983. I have listened to all of her Rufus and Solo albums. Truthfully, I think it would be damn near impossible to beat out that body of work. I also realize that the music of the seventies and early eighties, may well be in a class all by itself. Now with all that being said "Funk This" is truly a treat to the hardcore Chaka fans. This albums allows Chaka to explore her instrument(the voice) in a contemporary mixture of funk and soul. But she stays in her lane as legend of the great soul music of an incredible era. I am overwhelmed by most of the songs. They give us enough of what we need to continue to admire and respect her artistry, without going out of its way to emphasize the retro aspect of her amazing 35 year career. "Angel" is and will be a classic. I really listened to the words and can understand the depht of emotions in the song. This is not a silly radio song. Ride with me on this. Angel speaks to me on so many levels. Foolish Fool, opens Chaka up to why we adore her, she can take you so many places with her vocals. "Sign-O"...I would not have chosen this Prince song, but Chaka makes it bearable. "Will you love me" has a great groove. I think this will become a favorite. "Disprespectful"-one word WOW! I love the energy and the delivery on this song. MJB -you got that s--t off. The remakes of the Rufus songs/medly were appropriate and adds a nice touch to this project. Every thing else has potential and could grow on me or not?
All in all CK did what I wasn't sure she could was make a contemporary album, that is relevant yet filled with quality material.
Free Music Review: Chaka Funks This All The Way!
Hit: 5 Stars
Chaka Khan hasn't lost a thing where her talents are concerned. Her voice is strong, funky, and raw as ever. As a true artist, she refuses to stay stagnant and with this cd reaches to a new height, not only with her vocals, but with her song-writing (Every one is hot!). No wonder she received the Grammy award for best R&B album!!
The opening number "Back In The Day" (written by Chaka) smolders with a heated groove. "Foolish Fool" takes a blues song, originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, and turns up the heat to red-hot. "Angel" (written by Chaka) is the anthem of the album! Her vocal rips with passion!! Equally for Chaka fans and/or Hendrix fans, enjoy her tribute with "Castles Made Of Sand". Believe it--- Jimi would be proud! And Jesse Johnson on guitar does justice to this version. "Disrespectful" written by Mary J. Blige (Chaka duets with Mary J.) deservedly won the R&B song for Grammy 2008. This song will burn up your cd player! Chaka pays tribute to Prince in his song "Sign 'O' The Times"... Wow! Could Joni Mitchell have envisioned her song "Ladies Man" being sung with such raw soul? Chaka's duet with Michael McDonald on "You Belong To Me" breathes new heat into an old favorite.
Chaka Khan vocally pays tribute to some of the best in the business and reaches new heights with her song writing. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have created a winner! If you are a true Chaka fan and only stop listening after you hear "Angel", you deserve to give this cd another chance. These songs are worth an encore (and then some). The more you play it, the more you'll love it! Enjoy!!!