Equally amazing is Chaka's versatility as a singer as demonstrated by the range of material that Funk You has to offer; from the full throttle Funk of the opening track "Back In The Day" to the ballad "Angel." She shows that slowing the pace down does nothing to detract from her sincerity as a singer. Too often people with strong voices become stentorian when faced with a ballad and equate emotion with loudness and straining for the upper regions of the scale.
Chaka Khan is not that type of singer, and makes certain that when she sings a ballad to avoid all the typical clichés that one normally hears in popular music a la Celine Dionne and the like. Ms. Khan expresses genuine emotions and keeps the music as real as possible. The only song that even comes close to falling into that trap is her duet with Michael McDonald on "You Belong To Me" and then it is the fault of the material and her co-performer more than anything else.
On September 25, 2007, Chaka Khan will release her first solo studio project in ten years. After listening to Funk This you'll agree this is a CD long overdue. Just maybe it will help people remember that live musicians play music more danceable then anything a computer or sequencer can generate. It also has the plus that you can sit and listen to it if you don't feel like dancing – amazing huh?
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.