Well the hair isn't quite as big anymore, and she looks a heck of a lot healthier with a few more pounds on her frame, but one thing that hasn't changed is her voice. In fact judging by her latest release, Funk This on Burgundy Records, in the ten years since she last made a studio album her voice has matured into an even more sophisticated instrument.
She used to get by on sheer power alone, attacking a song with growls, squeals, and trips up and down the scale. She could reach up into the sky and grab those notes you only usually see opera singers consider singing as easily as she growled out a blues number in a sultry alto. Now, not only is she still gifted with an extraordinarily powerful and agile voice, she has learned subtleties of phrasing allowing her to infuse her songs with even more character than before.
Funk This is a mixture of originals and covers of some of the best Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Blues, and Soul music from the past thirty to forty years. One of the songs to show off her delicacy of touch is her cover of the Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made Of Sand." A song about the impermanence of dreams and the dangers of living in a fantasy world, Ms. Khan utilizes her voice to help generate a mood appropriate to the song.
This song is also a good example of her ability to put the song ahead of her ego instead of making it about her and her talents. While younger, less mature singers will look for any excuse to unload pyrotechnics and show off their abilities, Chaka is content to let the mood of the song dictate her performance. Listening to her duet with up- and-coming powerhouse singer Mary J. Blige on the song "Disrespectful" that difference is made perfectly clear.
The younger woman still feels the need to prove herself and is constantly unloading with both barrels and not leaving herself any room to maneuver. If you start out at full strength you have nothing to build up to, and you end up with a song whose only distinguishing feature is its loudness. Ms Khan is far more interesting as she modulates the power of her voice so that she builds to a finale.
Article comments
1 - Tyromeo
I Can Dig It! or as they say "Word" The truth was spoken today.
2 - Osvaldo E.
Being a longtime fan of the incredible Miss Khan (we're known as Chakaholics) I really appreciate the positive review that Mr Marcus gave "FUNK THIS" but I feel that I have to correct a factual error. "FUNK THIS" is NOT her first solo studio project in ten years! "CLASSIKHAN" a collection of jazz standards and movie song covers(Goldfinger) was released in 2004 on her own Earth Song label. A great album that should not be overlooked just because it's not a "Pop" album. This is also further proof of her versatility as she excels in the Jazz genre as well. Miss Khan can and DOES sing anything and does it very well I might add.
So "FUNK THIS" is actually her first "POP" solo studio project since 1998's "COME TO MY HOUSE".
3 - Richard Marcus
Osvaldo E.
I have to admit that I was starting to have doubts about the veracity of the claim first in ten years that was being made by her label but I went against my better judgement and included it. Thank you for the correction and reminding me to know better.
cheers
Richard Marcus
4 - Michele
I, being a fan of Chaka's since the 70's, know that she CAN sing ANYTHING!!! I have every recorded song that she has ever made and am counting down the days until the release of "Funk This." She has been true to form and to her fans for never letting us down with a single note. One would have to be buried under a rock not to appreciate what Chaka has given this world to listen to. What a wonderful world it is!
5 - Matthew Alexander
What an incredible article!!! I am a devoted Chakaholic, and I love her dearly!! She is the truth and an artist that reigns supreme, in an age of souless music. Thank you for uplifting her and really highlighting her magic.
6 - Clifton Earl Hill
Yes!!! Chaka is still amazing. I just saw her in New York City's City Hall Park on Thursday 23 August 2007. She was amazing! Her voice has not diminished at all. In fact, it has become even more amazing. I think she was incredible in her twenties as well when I listen to her old stuff. For example, what 20-something year old now-a-days can tackle "A Night in Tunisis" and "Bebop Medley". Chaka was in her 20's when she recorded these masterpieces. For all the naysayer, please crawl under a rock where you belong, especially the crazy folks on YouTube.