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Most mainstream fans associate vocalist Chaka Khan either as the lead singer for the seminal '70s funk band Rufus or as the R&B singer who became a short-lived '80s sensation with the infectious cover of Prince's pop hit "I Feel for You." However throughout the years Khan has shown an interest in jazz as well, and this 60-minute live performance gives the artist a chance to show off her nuanced versatility by covering a handful of old jazz standards. Khan sets the evening's mood by allowing her superb band (which is not credited, unfortunately) to warm up and take individual solos on the instrumental "Dark Secret" before finally making an appearance on stage. Once she does, it's a bit shaky at first. During "Them There Eyes," she sounds tentative and nervous, but by the time she hits "My Funny Valentine," the singer hits her stride. Throughout this brief but thoroughly enjoyable set, Khan consistently picks the right spots to demonstrate that her unmistakable voice hasn't lost a thing over the years. She can still belt them out with the best of 'em. Even if they're not Chaka Khan fans, jazz loyalists will want to see this show, simply because her band powers the evening; the bass and horn playing often outshine the singer. Make no mistake: Khan is good here, but her band is better.
--Dave McCoy
Product Description
Take a musical journey with BET On Jazz: The Jazz Channel and legendary soul diva Chaka Khan. Recorded live at Black Entertainment Television Studio II in Washington, D.C., this historic "Jazz Central" concert features the incomparable Ms. Khan interpreting jazz standards. Set list: Dark Secret, Them There Eyes, My Funny Valentine, Man From Mars, High Wire (The Aerialist), I Loves You Porgy, I'll Be Around, Reconsider, The End of a Love Affair, Love Me Still.
Full Frame - Color - English - 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS
