Chaka Khan – Funk This
Burgundy Records (9/25/07)
Funk
Chaka Khan’s Funk This is a reflection of her various spiritual and life-changing experiences. Khan provides bursting soul and joy in every track of the album, which features talented artists such as Mary J. Blige, Tony Maiden and Michael McDonald. Khan has described this album as the embodiment of who she has become, and acknowledges the ups and downs that she’s experienced to get to this place in her life.
It’s difficult for me to dissect this record because it’s all very fluid. Everything flows on this record, weaving a story of love, fighting insecurities and finding oneself, as Chaka demonstrates her brilliance and her ability to stay current and fresh for over three decades. “Back in the Day” kicks off the album with a nod to her past, delivering funk and soul, with a rock grit in her voice that I wasn’t expecting. On “Foolish Fool”, originally performed by Dee Dee Warwick, Khan makes it her own, expressing that “she’s gotta be crazy if she thinks she can take you from me!”, empowering it and making us all believe that no woman has a chance against her. With Khan’s talented storytelling, the track sounds completely natural, and one unfamiliar with the original could easily mistake it as a Chaka Khan original.
“Angel” is one of the stand-out tracks, based on a poem Khan wrote a few years ago when she was in a “altered” state. This song is very special to her since she’s changed her life since then and acknowledges the intensity of the words. “Disrespectful”, the song written by special guest Mary J. Blige, is the current single of this album and is a great choice to represent the soul of this record. Full of fire and strength, the song is a empowering call to action to get your act together and not put up with any disrespect.
Another stand-out cover is Jimi Hendrix’s “Castles Made of Sand”, in which Khan adds an extra layer of blues and soul, but also adds a nice element strength and defiance. There’s no doubt that since Chaka has been able to get to this point in her life, that her castles were built on a good foundation to withstand storms, and ultimately remain.
The anthemic “Super Life” closes out the album, with the strong message that life is to be enjoyed after walking through the fires, making mistakes and making good with yourself and others. Funk This is one empowering, enjoyable and soulful album—Chaka Khan is definitely back and she can’t be denied!
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