Customer Reviews

Come 2 My House

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let's face it; being produced by Prince can go either way. Sometimes his eccentricities pay off tenfold; sometimes he's so damn quirky you'd almost think he didn't want anyone to buy his music. Therefore, hearing that Chaka Khan collaborated with Prince for an entire album will either fill you with breathless anticipation (will Chaka elicit new shades of purple?) or pending doom (will she trust him too blindly in the interest of trying something new?). Luckily for all involved, "Come 2 My House" is a triumph all around: His Royal Badness shakes the production tendencies that made Sheila E. and Jill Jones sound like they were merely singing over Prince demos, and Chaka winds up with the most consistent and carefully-measured album of her career.

The listener gets a jolt right off the bat; rhythmically exhaling over bass-heavy beats, Chaka ushers in lush piano chords and a classy horn section to make the title track just as much straight jazz as it is pop, and it works as a most effective opener. When Chaka sweetly croons "come to my house/where we can play," it's enough to send you scrambling through the credits in hopes of finding an address. Another seamless blend of styles is offered on the exhilirating "Reconsider (U Betta)," where Chaka matches a jazzy horn line with her own formidable scats, all laid over a chunky street beat. "House" also provides shelter to some of Chaka's most mature ballads to date: "This Crazy Life of Mine" is a lovely, string-laden piece of autobiography; lines like "never will forget from whence I came/I have some regrets but I made myself a name" rings profoundly from a woman who clearly knows how to weigh the pros and cons of life. "I Remember You" is a sweet and wistful piece of pop that benefits from an intricate arrangement, and "Journey 2 the Center of Your Heart" tells the touching tale of a woman in love wearing down the resistance of a troubled soul.

But what truly warms the soul is the fact that Chaka hasn't served up a dose of funk this healthy since her days with Rufus. "Betcha I" has hooks and beats that are equally irresistible; "Spoon" soars with layered vocals and smile-worthy lyrics like "you are just like my favorite spoon/'cause you stir me up"; and Queen Latifah steps in to offer a helping hand (not that it was needed, but the more the merrier) on the funk-heavy, innuendo-laden "Pop My Clutch." Chaka even gets down and dirty on "Never B Another Fool," roughly laying her no-good lover out with lines like "I'll never open my legs again/to a man who's insecure." (You GO, girl!...equally chilling is the spoken line "if you think about callin...DON'T.") The funkiest cut is actually one of the slowest, however, as the horn section and bass line make "Hair" such an enticing cut that you may well find your head bobbing involuntarily.

Also pleasing are Chaka's vocals throughout the record; she seems to gain more control and power of her remarkable instrument as the years go by. And while Prince's production is detectable at times (a horn riff here, a guitar effect there), the easiest giveaway that this is a purple production is the spelling of the song titles. It's always nice to see an artist release a solid project later in their career, and it's just as satisfying to hear two formidable artists collaborate and bring out the best in each other; in both respects "Come 2 My House" is a masterpiece, as Prince and Chaka Khan marry elements of pop, jazz, and funk in coherent manner few others have attempted and even fewer have achieved. Thanks to Chaka's "House," the quality of living just went up in the neighborhood of soul.

The first I heard from Ms. Chaka Khan was back when I was a little tyke, and I had that infectious intro "Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan...Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan" planted into my brain. Of course, that song turned out to be "I Feel For You", which was recorded in a somewhat ok version by its writer, Prince (back when he was still known as that). But Chaka's version totally blew his out of the water, showing that she had mastered yet another genre that was seemingly out of her league. Funk, jazz, soul, and now the distinctly Prince-like funk that helped define 1980s pop. However, it would be another 15 years or so before the Purple One and Chaka officially collaborated together (Prince had written a few more songs for Chaka's other projects, but COME 2 MY HOUSE is the first major collaboration for the two). That dream has finally come true with COME 2 MY HOUSE.

Many people have considered this album a comeback for Chaka, when in fact she never really left us. She was still a well-respected artist even when she wasn't conquering the charts. So COME 2 MY HOUSE is more like a reaffirmation of Chaka's considerable talents. And who better to help her out than that other fellow genius, Prince.

Naturally, his stamp is all over the album, helping write 9 of the 13 songs on here, even 2 of them solo. Those solo contributions fit into Chaka's personality very well, though. "Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart" and "Don't Talk 2 Strangers" are still very Prince-ly while perfect for Chaka's voice, and are the standards by which all break-up songs and lullabies, respectively, should be judged. Other surprisingly successful ballads on here include "This Crazy Life Of Mine", "I Remember U", and "The Drama", which cut straight to the heart with their easily danceable (slow dance, that is) melodies and unique lyricism that puts them above the usual standards of typical love songs.

However, this HOUSE isn't one of total meditation. The funk quotient is unbelievably high with such smile-worthy numbers like "Spoon", "Pop My Clutch" (sounds like a double-entendre and it certainly is a wonderful one), "Betcha I" (gotta dig that hats-off to Bob Dylan), and a cover of Larry Graham's (who also makes a considerable contribution to the album) classic "Hair".

In the liner notes, Chaka says HOUSE is a different album for her because she helped write most of the songs on here. And like Emmylou Harris' recent RED DIRT GIRL album, songwriting is something Chaka may want to dabble in more often. She alternates between sensual welcoming on the title track, feminist rage with "I'll Never B Another Fool", social wisdom with "Democrazy", and apologizing for her mistakes with "Reconsider [U Betta]".

Chaka Khan has been one of soul music's (and pop in general) most talented artists for over 25 years. And although she's in her late 40s now, Chaka still hasn't changed much from when she kindly asked her lover to "tell her something good". COME 2 MY HOUSE shows that Chaka deserves to still be told many good things about her. And further kudos to his Purpleness, Prince, for giving Chaka a considerable say in the album, considering his past history of often making the artist a guest performer on their own album.

Chaka Khan is The Original DIVA and "Come 2 My House' is a Masterpiece. It has all the elements of a great CK album. Chaka and The Artist have outdone themselves. Admittedly, when I first heard this CD I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but after repeated listens I finally recognized it's true brilliance. It has her trademark Funk, R&B, Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop, & Gospel, all done with a sensuality and intimacy that only Ms. Chaka Khan can bring to the table. From the opening title track, you know that you are about to experience a full journey. This CD brings all of Chaka, in her various incarnations, full circle. There are no sleepers on this one and it is most disappointing when the CD comes to an end. For those who didn't understand it the first time, I challenge you to visit her house once more with an open heart and an open mind and you will see why Chaka Khan remains to be The Original DIVA.

I've been trying to find this album for a couple of years, and now i finally own it. What I really enjoy about it is that Chaka's amazing voice gets a lot of room here. Instead of losing her voice in the beats and scratches like most R&B artists do lately, the background music takes a backseat to Chaka's powerful voice. There's a good combination of fun dance tunes and powerful ballads in here. If you want to listen to someone who can sing, without being too over the top, then you'd enjoy Chaka. There's no room for that whitney houston-esque warbling-around-at-the-end-of-a-sentence thing here.

This is one of the best cd's ever produced in the 90's. Unfortunately many are not aware of it. It will be selling for years to come. Music is timeless and real. On songs like Democracy The DIVA shows off her talents and Vocal skills. Never over sings and respects the music and lets it breathe. No one can rival Chaka, she can sing ANYTHING, reminds me of Billie Holiday, She can take bad material and make it work with her own incredible style. In this release however the material is strong and the album is a near perfect 10++. A real sleeper CD. Real Music will never die!!

Very few singers can touch her vocally. Very few musicians can hold a note to her and very few producers can truly bring out the best in her. The Artist formerly known as Prince did the job and did it well. He has captured the sound of Chaka back to Rufus days. Her vocals are all that on each and every cut. Chaka co-wrote almost all the songs on the cd and her lyrical content is personal and passionate. I applaud her for being so open, moreso than any other project she has ever been a part of. I suppose when you become liberated, this is the results...a total liberated funky sound. Go Chaka!!!!

the much-publicized collaboration between the paisley prince (for whose name the people at apple have not, yet, included a character on my keyboard) has finally spawned what fans of the queen of funky soul have been awaiting for some six years...an album of original work. and original is an understatement! for the first time in her twenty-five year career, chaka has complete control of her art and, really, who better to decide how to best showcase her amazing instrument then...well...her. with complete musical support by [insert symbol here] and larry graham, chaka's voice is finally supported by instrumentation as rich as her vocals. i mean, playing an instrument anywhere near chaka khan has got to be as intimidating as attempting a duet with aretha franklin, but [symbol] does not back down. everything we've always know about chaka-from seductive ("come 2 my house") to sexy ("betcha") to introspective ("this crazy life of mine")-are reflected on this album. she tackles a wide range of topics from "democracy" to her "hair". a duet with another queen (latifah, that is) provides the super sexy "pop my clutch" and rounds out this royal-class production.

Chaka is really in a class all her own. She is a DIVA in every sense and has influenced countless female artists just as Aretha has. On this CD Come 2 My House, true Chaka fans really have no reason to be disappointed. She covers various areas effortlessly, i.e., ballads, nice funky tunes she is known far and wide for, a nice rap with Queen Latifah, and a few surprises written by Chaka herself. Of course she has teamed with Prince before, so I really don't see what the problem is. The fact that both artists are not at the top of their game (in terms of proceeds), they are not lacking AT ALL in the realm of talent and musicianship. This is still a must for a Chaka fan. Standout cuts include, "I Betcha," "Spoon", "Reconsider," "I Remember", "Democracy," and "Pop My Clutch," all, representing a foray into a different arena, respectively, funk, smooth sensuous ballads, gospel, and Hip/Hop/Rap. A tour de force for Chaka and certainly a worthy additon to any record collection!

Wow. I am a huge CK and TAFKNP fan. To have them together is almost 2 much. I purchased this Disc a month ago and have not taken it out of my CD player since.

I am so dissapointed that the mainstream press and radio has turned its back on this funky album. It is nearly impossible to find any reference to this album, no reviews, never any cuts on the radio. What gives?

Chaka, one of our long standing R&B, Jazz, and Pop divas' arrives this time with strong adult lyrics and musical compositions. Whether it be Prince, or whatever he calls himself these days or Larry Graham the woman delivers. Anyone who knows anything about Afro-American female singers know she will tell you a story about her relationships, with lovers, girlfriends, and family all in 3-5 minutes and have you grooving and learning at the same time. All I have to say is "CHAKA IS BACK" and she is here to stay!!!! To all you fake young r&b singers, standup and take notice because one of the original teachers of R&B is holding class, take notice and learn something.