Customer Reviews

Naughty

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is another one in my collection that recently made the very necessary transition from very worn vinyl to CD. Originally released in 1980, the album was produced by the legendary Arif Mardin, who sadly passed away recently. It's solo Chaka, i.e. without Rufus, at her best and this album is especially notable for featuring on background vocals, a very young Whitney Houston (on "Clouds" and "Our Love Is In Danger") and an - at the time - up and coming Luther Vandross (on "Papillon (aka Hot Butterfly)" and "Our Love Is In Danger"). Vandross's voice is particularly noticable on Papillon, which was a big hit for Khan, who was reportedly reluctant to let anyone do her backing vocals but herself. She and Mardin obviously knew talent when they heard it.

Personal favourites include "Clouds", (which was a huge club hit well into the 90s), "Get Ready, Get Set", "Move Me No Mountain", "What You Did" and "Papillon". But the truth is this is a solid set from start to finish. I'm a hopeless singer but this is one album I can never resist screeching along to every time I play it. If you're a Chaka fan, surely you must have this one already but if you'd like to find out how real female vocal r&b/soul was done back in the day, you cannot go wrong with this one.

This is bar none Chaka's best solo project. Production, musicians, backing vocals and of course Chaka makes this cd/album a classic in every sense of the word. The songs are executed in perfect order and create a real story/theme. Every single song is strong and it's very hard to select my favorites. I have to say Like You Did and Nothing's Gonna Take You Away and Move Me No Moutain are atmospheric, but there is Clouds and Our Love's in Danger, both produced by Ashford and Simpson. Arif Mardin did an excellent job executing this album. I really wish Arif and Chaka would do another project to create more magic like Naughty.

Amazing to hear how innovative and creative Chaka was and is. She had the outlets between her Rufus ventures and her solo career to experiment and lay down some quality work. Yes she is hella funky!!! but there's more to her genre breaking arrangements and vocals that reveal themselves upon repeated listens. Naughty and it's predecessor "Chaka" are essential. Adventurous music with integrity and soul that stands the test of time.

If you just discovered Chaka Khan then buy this album first. It has some of the best singing she ever did in her career. This album still gives me chills even after 25 years. Great production from Arif Mardin. INCREDIBLE band which includes Steve Ferrone on drums and Anthony Jackson on bass. I own the vinyl and CD but you must hunt down the vinyl to get the true experience. The vinyl features the gorgeous face picture on the jacket sleeve. This album has Whitney Houston singing background (when she was 16) and Luther Vandross (singing the male part on Papillon). Chaka also states in interviews this is her favorite album.

This album came out on May 28, 1980. I was born on that day in 75. This album is hot off the wax! Ever song is sizzling.
Produced by Arif Mardin, he collected the best musicians as well as creme de la creme of backing vocalists. He employed the Late Luther Vandross, Cissy Houston and teenage daughter Whitney along with Chaka's brother Mark and Average White Band's Hamish Stuart to back her on several cuts on this delicious album. Ashford and Simpson's "Clouds" and "Our Love's In Danger" are top notch songs.

My faves are Clouds, Our Love's In Danger, Move Me No Mountain,
Nothing's Gonna Take You Away, Naughty, Get Ready, Get Set and
Too Much Love. My ultimate fave is the remake of Bionic Boogie's "Chanson Papillion: Hot Butterfly". With the top notch background vocals of Luther Vandross, Hamish Stuart, Mark Stevens, Cissy Houston and Ullanda McCollough, they kept the heat up with that. My favorite part is when Luther and Chaka did the call and response. Hot! If you want some sassy drama mixed with feel goooood vibes, then this is it!

This is a classic Chaka CD, period! She is in fine vocal form, and the material is outstanding. Chaka returns to her solo career after recording 'Masterjam' with Rufus in 1979, and released an album that Chakaholics have loved for over 26 years! 'Naughty' is all about Chaka, and producer Arif Mardin made sure her vocals were recorded front & center!! You get songs like 'Clouds' (written by Ashford & Simpson), 'Move Me No Mountain', 'What You Did', and the classic 'Pappillon (Hot Butterfly)'. Luther Vandross, Cissy Houston & a young Whitney Houston provide background vocals on many tracks!! Chaka Khan raised the vocal bar with 'Naughty', and it is a must have for any true Chakaholic! Buy Chaka Khan's 'Naughty' along with 'Chaka' (1978), 'What Cha Gonna Do For Me ?'(1981), and 'Chaka Khan' (1982) ASAP!

My verdict - VERY ESSENTIAL for Chakaholics & REAL Music Lovers!

Peace, SD
(Chakasworld)

This album was Chaka at her best!! Ashford and Simpson on the production (which was really tight) along with Hiram Bullock and other talented musicians and vocalists made this album unforgettable. And every cut was the JAM!! Clouds, All Night, Get Ready, Move Me no Mountain, Papillion, Nothing's Gonna Take You... okay, you get the picture.

If you love Chaka, you already have this in your collection or you are replacing it (as in my case). If you don't have it, do yourself a favor and take a listen. I'm sure it will grace your collection soon after!

Have you ever watched flying acrobats and been filled with awe at their capability and agility. Chaka is the vocal equivalent. She is unique and always exciting and innovative. Be transported into a world of remarkable musicianship, professionalism and polish. A real treat if you like the extra-ordinary.

"Naughty" was a smoother, sleeker follow-up to "Chaka," the more raw, rough-hewn smash that featured her signature classic "I'm Every Woman." Despite the album's slickness, Chaka Khan's characteristic energy and abandon is on full blast on "Naughty"(I swear the woman must have seven lungs). Khan may have sometimes come across as an undisciplined R&B shouter, but on "Naughty" you get a chance to admire her way with a melody (the same is true on "Ask Rufus," her last truly great album with that group). "Move me no Mountain" starts off as smooth as silk before exploding with Khan's thrilling wail. "Chanson Papillon" is exquisite not only for Khan's amazingly smooth delivery, but also for the unmistakeable imprint and backing of the late great Luther Vandross, who gives the song a high-gloss finish--a nice counterbalance to Khan's wildness. The bluesy rock of "Get Ready, Get Set" and "All Night, All Right" are great sounding nods to her work with Rufus, while "Nothing's Gonna Take You Away", "Naughty" and "What you Did" signal her increasing fascination with jazz. Track for track, "Naughty" is probably the single best example of Khan's considerable stylistic range when she was at the peak of her powers.

I bought this album as a record years ago when it first came out. I retired my turntable and didn't know whether I would enjoy this album as much as I did then, but to my delight I did. Chaka rules! And "Naughty" was my favorite of all her releases.