Chaka

by

Chaka Khan

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I can't think of anyone else who has ever made an album like

this.Her follow up "Naughty" is more sleekly produced and carried out but in terms of thrills and innovation AND CK's need

to make the public open their minds 'Chaka' is a treat."I'm Every Woman" is an anthem that is the only proper way to open this album while "Love Has Fallen On Me" is a sumpuous soul ballad that's not dissimilar to Areatha Franklins classic late

1960's Atlantic stuff."Sleep On It" and the classic George Benson duet "We Got The Love" mark the precise area where jazz and slick R&B's barrier's began to blur while the Philly soul-like "A Woman In A Man's World" discusses Chaka's place in the

music buisness.Then she rolls out the FOOT STOMPIN' fonk of

the delicious "Life Is A Dance","Some Love" and the DEEPLY

grooving "The Message In The Middle Of The Bottom",the only cut

here that remotely resembles Rufus.She tops things off with a vital cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Lover Her".Her

brilliant,one-of-a-kind sonics (her singing goes WAY beyond vocal) and her impeccable taste in jazz oriented musicians like

Richard Tee,Phil Upchurch,The Breckers,David Sanborn and even

Airto Moreita give this album a distinct air of classiness that

alot of music from this era lacked.Good thing Chaka never dueted

with Airto's wife though;Chaka Khan and Flora Purim singing together on the same album could be dangerous.Too much fire.