What Cha' Gonna Do for Me

by

Chaka Khan

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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.

A good place to start if unfamiliar with THE VOICE, aka Chaka Khan.

Highlights of this album are the incredible (Grammy-winning) Night in Tunisia (And the Melody Still Lingers On) where Khan literally soars. A very funky re-thinking of the Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" gets things pumping, while the tailor-made title track is a fun-filled jam that recalls that warm summer romance kind of feeling. On "Night Moods" Khan shows a surprisingly deep mellow side and her duet with her brother Mark Stevens' on "We Got Each Other" makes you wonder why this song was not a huge dance floor hit.

Overall, a good show case for Khan's multi-faceted vocal prowess.

KDP