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Funk This | 
 enlarge | Artist: Chaka Khan
Label: Strategic Marketing
Category: Music
List Price: $16.97
Buy New: $9.00
You Save: $7.97 (47%)
New (44) from $9.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  91 reviews
Sales Rank: 6304
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.1
MPN: 709022
UPC: 886970902229
EAN: 0886970902229
ASIN: B000TP5ST4
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new and factory sealed. May have a small crack but is still a giftable item. In stock and ships today!
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| Tracks:
| • | Back In The Day | | • | Foolish Fool | | • | One For All Time | | • | Angel | | • | Will You Love Me? | | • | Castles Made Of Sand | | • | Disrespectful featuring Mary J Blige | | • | Sign 'O' The Times | | • | Pack'd My Bags/You Got The Love featuring Tony Maiden | | • | Ladies' Man | | • | You Belong To Me featuring Michael McDonald | | • | Hail To The Wrong | | • | Super Life |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The first track off Chaka Khan's first album since 2004's Classikhan unspools the vibe she's going for instantly--in the space of a single boing-y guitar lick--and a little deeper in, the lyrics seal the deal: "Those very sounds floating in and out of my head/Created the magic that sealed my fate," she hollers in the don't-hold-back style that's made her an icon. We get the picture--Funk This is Chaka reflecting on three decades of full-bodied, fevered-up soul music and examining how it is she got to be so funkalicious in the first place. Where a lot of legends retrace their backstories and end up with albums that sound warmed over, though, Chaka forges forward (and back) with fresh and fiery swagger; you wouldn't want to handle any of these 13 songs without an oven mitt. That's not to say they aren't familiar. In addition to several just-written songs (the pretty, provocative "Angel," the heartfelt "One for All Times," and the pointedly honest "Will You Love Me"), Chaka covers Prince's "Sign o' the Times," Joni Mitchell's "Ladies Man," and Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made of Sand," and she also twists a couple of songs she originally recorded with Rufus, "Pack'd My Bags" and "You Got the Love," into a juiced-up medley. Carly Simon's "You Belong to Me" gets the cover treatment in a likable duet with Michael McDonald, but it's another duet that earns this disc five stars for sizzle: "Disrespectful," written by Mary J. Blige and sung with her, busts out glorious grit and gut-level soul, the kind that'll leave listeners quoting Chaka in her "I'm Every Woman" phase: "Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh." --Tammy La Gorce
Album Description
Chaka Khan's Funk This showcases some of her powerful vocals and most compellings songs to date. In perfect form, Chaka has recorded both new material and covers of some tracks that are near and dear to her heart. This incredible funk album takes us back to Chaka's roots, with much of the feel and instrumentation used in her Rufus days. Includes guest artists Mary J. Blige, Michael McDonald and original Rufus member Tony Maiden.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...
Funk This December 28, 2008
CK is one of my favorite singers - she is also a dynamic performer who can set the stage on fire when she is ON. And she was ON the night I saw her perform at the Mann Music Center. I'd had this album on my wish list for a while but after her performance of ANGEL, I had to have it - just listening to her that night I teared up. For me this autobiographical track is the standout on this disc, it's one of the few tracks I keep on repeat.
As I've stated about other performers who have had long careers, I think it's wonderful that they still have an interest in creating music and some work hard to produce music that fans will enjoy. It's wonderful that CK and the producers tried to recreate the magical funk that CK made with Rufus but not all of the tracks work to that end and sadly, I skip a few to get to the ones I truly enjoy.
The ones I love:
ANGEL - I can't say enough about this beautiful ballad, it is exquisite
BACK IN THE DAY - this is the one track that does take me back to the Rufus days
ONE FOR ALL TIME - love the acoustic sound
CASTLES MADE OF SAND - love the musical arrangement of this track
HAIL TO THE WRONG, WILL YOU LOVE ME?, FOOLISH FOOL
I really did not like the duet with Michael McDonald or the remakes of PACK'D MY BAGS/YOU GOT THE LOVE or DISRESPECTFUL (although you'd think a Chaka/Mary J collabo couldn't miss).
I'd highly recommend it to Chaka-holics and for the uninformed, I'd highly recommend you try to get your hands on the single, ANGEL.
As a fan of this dynamic woman, though the album did what it was supposed to do - gave me some new Chaka tunes to listen to and enjoy.
 Not Her Best Effort November 30, 2008
I have been a Chaka Fan for as long as I can remember. She is one of my all-time favorite singers. However, I must admit that this CD is not that good. After listening to it twice, I wanted a refund. Also, how this CD won a Grammy is beyond me. As far as I'm concerned, a young, talented R&B artist was robbed out of a Grammy.
 Excellent Album November 15, 2008
I was very pleased after hearing the album. Chaka is truly an outstanding
vocalist; and her voice and music are extraordinary. The arrangements are quite uplifting and move the spirit and the soul. Very enjoyable music and entertaining.
Chaka does it again October 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
What'z Up Wit Cha? Chaka Khan
Sheila - This is such an honor and a pleasure interviewing you are definitely one of the people on the list that I said I must interview this person.
Chaka - Thank you.
Sheila - So Interpretations, the project. I heard the album and I was just blown away.
Chaka - It is good. Isn't it? Everyone did a good job. I think that Ledisi really did a great job.
Sheila - Whew, she killed it. She tore that song up. I loved her and of course I loved you and I was really taken by The Randy Watson Experience featuring Bilal who did "Can't Hide Love". I was like, "Who are they?" No disrespect but I had never heard of them before.
Chaka - Yeah, they were pretty good. I know them and they are good.
Sheila - I noticed that you were the only industry veteran included of your caliber. I mean, Angie Stone has been around for years as well but ...
Chaka - I was the oldest person on the album.
Sheila - Now see, I wasn't gonna say that. LOL
Chaka - Hey, it is what it is.
Sheila - Were you surprised to be included?
Chaka - I would have been surprised not to have been included. We all go back to Chicago.
Sheila - I should have known that. I ready your book.
Chaka - You read my book?
Sheila - I sure did. I got home with your book at around 4:00pm. I was done by 1:00am.
Chaka - Everyone says the same thing. It's really an easy read.
Sheila - No, that's because we don't want to put it down. It was such a great read. It's so inspirational. I was like "Wow". In this story you are a heroine. You went down those roads but look at where you are today and the lives that you have changed in the process. I just think that you are phenomenal.
Chaka - I'm glad to be here to tell the story.
Sheila - Amen to that. What does it mean to you to be included in a project like Interpretations?
Chaka - I'm really honored. Maurice has contributed so much and this is our way of giving back to him. His impact on music and this industry has been huge. Their music has really inspired me as an artist.
Sheila - That's really interesting to hear you say that because you don't really think about how artist whom are pretty much peers would inspire one another. Would you want an Interpretations project such as this one done of your music?
Chaka - Sure. I'd say, go for it.
Sheila - Who would you pick to be on it?
Chaka - Well I know I'd pick Ledisi but that's a hard question because there is so much good talent out there today. As with the EWF project the challenge comes in trying to make that song your own.
Sheila - By the way, I love what you did with RESPECT for the Aretha Franklin tribute. Not that I was surprised because I know who you are but you are right in that there are times when people remake someone's song and the magic is lost and then there are some songs that just don't need to be remade.
Chaka - I absolutely agree. I have people suggest to me all of the time that I should remake a song and I tell them, 'Hey, that's been done already'.
Sheila - I noticed that with your jazz album, all of the songs still had your special touch to it. It honored those songs but it had your signature.
Chaka - That's the only way I can do it. It has to be my way and I've been blessed to have the music in me allowing me to do that.
Sheila - That's a gift.
Chaka - Yes, it really is.
Sheila - Its a great achievement for Maurice White and the other EWF members to be celebrating 37 years of history making music and the years alone are quite an accomplishment.
Chaka - Well, I dropped my first project in 1973. It wasn't too long after them.
Sheila - What event would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?
Chaka - Working with Miles Davis. That's something that I'll always cherish. I guess right now it would be working with Ramsey Lewis.
Sheila - Now I'm skipping ahead of my questions but are you working on a project?
Chaka - Yeah, I'm in the studio right now.
Sheila - Wonderful. I would love to do whatever I can to help with the promotions, not that you probably even need it.
Chaka - Oh that would be great. I appreciate that and I want you to call my office and work that out.
Sheila - I sure will. I have to tell you that I'm not musically inclined but I love the music and I do what I do because I love the music.
Chaka - If it wasn't for you, what good would I be? If it wasn't for people like you, where would the artist be? It's those journalist like you and your willingness to support our projects that helps us to get and stay where we are.
Sheila - Oh thank you so much for saying that. I do what I do especially for veteran artist like you. Your contribution to Interpretations is your giving thanks to Maurice and EWF and my supporting projects like this is my thanks for all of the contributions that you wonderful artist have made to music. All to often I hear people complain about the music but it's those same people that won't go out and purchase the music of those artist that they claim they love so much.
Chaka - That's so true and I'm so blessed, really to still be in the mix but that's why I can't listen to the radio.
Sheila - It's difficult. Really it is but I say thank GOD for advances in technology because we don't have to listen to the radio. We can research out our favorite artist and purchase their music without having to wait for the radio to play their songs. When I interviewed Alexander O'Neal, I asked him to imagine how much farther his career would have been if he had been privy to the technology that is out today and he said to me that in the earlier days of his career, Black artist weren't even allowed to cross over.
Chaka - Now that's just too much to even think about.
Sheila - Well with technology; for example do you have a Myspace page?
Chaka - Yeah I do. I also have a message board on my website and once a month, I go on and I chat with people.
Sheila - REALLY?
Chaka - Yeah.
Sheila - Do they know it's you?
Chaka - Yep. I got my website and I interact with my subscribers. The truth of the matter is that I really don't have the time to be on there everyday. It takes up so much time.
Sheila - Yes it does. I've had conversations with some of my industry friends regarding how they can use technology to their advantage. For example, many of them have thousands of fans particularly on Myspace. That's technology at its finest. Look at Prince. I tell you that man is the truth. He was the first to take full advantage of technology. I swear, a college needs to have a Prince class and study this man because he is so brilliant.
Chaka - Yes, he is the best. As you know I've worked with him. I'm with you about technology. Very soon I am going to be auctioning off those suede pants that I wore on the Sweet Thing album. You know the ones I had on sitting on the lip couch.
Sheila - Get outta here.
Chaka - No really, I am.
Sheila - Do you know that is my favorite cover of yours? I love the whole suede with the feathers. I always have.
Chaka - I recently ran into the guy that designed and made that outfit. I was out in Chicago and we hooked up. He made a lot of my outfits in those days and we talked and decided that we were gonna do something together. We are going to have a line.
Sheila - You most definitely should because I love the leather pieces that you wear. They are always so unique and I know that you've always worn leather.
Chaka - Thank you.
Sheila - Chaka, I can talk to you for hours. I am really enjoying this conversation. I almost forgot that I was conducting an interview but I don't want to take up too much of your time. This has been so beautiful and I thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
Chaka - Sheila, anytime and I look forward to talking to you again. GOD bless you.
Sheila - Same to you.
Visit Chaka Khan on her official website at http://www.chakakhan.com and stay tuned for her new project!
2007 Sheila Chadwick for Word On The Street
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! July 30, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
If you don't already own this one, you MUST purchase it! This is the hottest Chaka production to come out in a few years. She is singing her face off! The new material is terrific and the covers are just as wonderful. Sung by anyone else these songs would be lackluster and mediocre at best, but in Chaka's extremely capable hands (or should I say, "vocal chords") each song takes on a life all its own.
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