Chaka Khan

Chaka's got more soul in her little finger than most singers can muster in a full album, so her first solo project in ten years really blows the competition out of the water. She projects Quiet Storm cool one minute and smashes the hell out of the studio the next, belting out southern soul or jousting with Mary J. Blige. And though almost nobody can cover Jimi Hendrix and get away with it, Chaka handles Hendrix (and Prince!) and leaves you begging for more. Props also go to producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: It sounds like they just got out of Khan's way and let her tear the house down.

Chaka Khan has never bothered with great albums because she has such a great voice --
juicy, airy, spunky, transported. Though she's fifty-four, it's also unfrayed, one reason this
committed if never classic comeback makes its mark. Another is hot-no-more producers
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who add bite while discreetly leaving the songwriting to the
likes of Hendrix, Prince, Sly Stone and the indelible Ed Townsend. Respect as w... More >

Chaka Khan has never bothered with great albums because she has such a great voice--juicy, airy, spunky, transported. Though she's fifty-four, it's also unfrayed, one reason this committed if never classic comeback makes its mark. Another is hot-no-more producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who add bite while discreetly leaving the songwriting to the likes of Hendrix, Prince, Sly Stone ("Time endures), and, hmm, Ed Townsend ("Foolish Fool" does too). Respect as well to Mary J. Blige's patented New Yorkese. (Grade - ***)