Customer Reviews

What Cha, Gonna DO for ME

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This 1981 bombshell is one of my favourite albums of all time, from one of my favourite female vocalists of all time and is a truckload full of hits. Maybe not hits in the traditional Billboard Hot 100 sense of the word but definitely hits, I am willing to bet, in the hearts and minds of Chaka Khan fans worldwide. To me, "We Can Work It Out", "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me", "I Know You, I Live You", "Any Old Sunday", "Night Moods", "Father He Said", "Fate", and the instant classic "And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)" with that special guest appearance from Dizzy Gillespie and that scorching Clavitar solo by Herbie Hancock, are all hits. (And Chaka's vocals on that last song are spellbinding). I always knew the woman had range but I remember the first time I heard that song. I simply couldn't believe it. It's still hard to believe, 26 years later.

The album is pretty much five star flawless from beginning to end. Chaka Khan is a rare breed of singer, the likes of which probably only come along once in a lifetime. I imagine most people have a favourite female vocalist; even among my own peer group, some love Aretha Franklin, some are into Patti LaBelle, while others adore Phyllis Hyman. While I admire all these women, with me, it has always been and will always be Chaka Khan. With faultless production from Arif Mardin, I feel this is an R&B, soul and jazz album in a class on its own.

They don't make them like this anymore, unfortunately.

While each of Chaka's albums all have their own unique appeal for me, this one is absolutely my favorite. This more than any other was a true tour de force of Chaka and her producer Arif Mardin. It is hard to truly categorize this album as to a particular musical type, as there is such an infusion of styles going on here. This to me is also the album where Chaka highlights her love of jazz. "Nights In Tunisia" is amazing, and the stellar "I Know You, I Live You" is nothing short of perfect. I recently purchased a DVD of Chaka performing these songs live in concert back in 1981, and she is breathtaking! Her version of the Beatles "We Can Work It Out" turns this song into a high energy affair of vocal gymnastics. To be honest, every cut on this album is great. A must have whether you are a fan or just interested in getting to know her music better!! I can't speak highly enough about it.

I didn't expect to be introduce to a new genre of music when I first listened to this album back when I was 13. However, when I heard Night in Tunisia, I was. I began to read the liner notes written by producer of this album Arif Mardin. He listed many innovators of jazz that I heard of only vaguely. I began to seek out these innovators including Dizzy Gillepsie who wrote and performed Tunisia on this album, what a coup! For a jazz giant like Gillepsie to perform on Khan's record really shows what a great, talented person she is. This is one of the best recordings Chaka has and I think a great introduction to her work, no mastery!!

Love every song, the music is ALL THAT! Her voice is the best! I do not know how long it took to make the Album, but It's GREAT! I can not think of anyone person singing like she was doing on this CD. This CD should have gotten Album of the YEAR! The music and songs still sound good today. Timeless!

This is one of Chaka's most famous solo albums, behind "I Feel For You", even though it contains no Top 40 hits. This album peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard charts and went Gold (500,000 copies), and rightly so. It contains the hit singles in the title track, "We Can Work It Out," "Any Old Sunday," and the common favourites of fans (and probably Chaka) in "I Know You, I Live You" and "And The Melody Still Lingers On". Even the lesser-known tracks are great, and is a big improvement for me over Chaka's 1980 album "Naughty".
The biggest hit on this album is "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me", making the Hot 100 and remaining one of Chaka's biggest solo hits. It's not the best song on the album to me, but features a memorable chorus, a hooky keyboard part, and lots of Chaka background vocals. "Any Old Sunday" was a moderate R&B hit, and is cool and jazzy, but does not seem to garner much attention these days. "We Can Work It Out" is a cover of the Beatles tune, and is catchy R&B/funk as soon as the brass section kicks in after Chaka's slow intro.
"I Know You, I Live You" is one of my favourites on the record, with a slightly Latin beat and Chaka herself on "percussion" (I wonder what!). (Check out the remix album "Life is a Dance" for an awesome remix of this song.) "Heed the Warning" seems to be a preview of sorts of the "Rock" style music that Chaka would do on her own later, especially on 1986's "Destiny" album, and is one of the strongest songs on the album. (It was also a single in the UK.) "Father He Said" is another strong song, with a memorable chorus. "Fate" is pretty much straight up disco, while "Night Moods" is a gentle ballad.
The only two I don't care for as much as the others are "We Got Each Other" and "And the Melody Still Lingers On". The former isn't very interesting to me, and the latter doesn't have much substance for me. (I prefer the "Be Bop Medley" on Chaka's self-titled 1982 album, the follow up to "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me".) I don't strongly dislike either of these tracks, though.
This is probably my favourite Chaka effort before the mid-late 80's comeback she had with "I Feel For You" and following albums (my favourite period of her career). I'm not one for the funk/rock style that Chaka was doing with Rufus in the '70's, but this album doesn't dwell too much on that. This album is a really good mixture of a little funk, a little jazz, a little rock, and a lot of pop and R&B--which I think Chaka does best.
Just an interesting note--the designs drawn over Chaka's hair on the back and front covers of the album are five years before Janet Jackson's "Control" album cover made that style of artwork popular again.

I listen to and love this album even more today then the year it came out. I was 18 when it came out and have to say sometimes I appreciate the music more now then when I was younger.
Recently I purchased the CD to replace my vinyl copy and am even more knocked out by the incredible sound of this album. This is a sophisticated album with an incredible live feel to it (vs. the more synthesized, equally outstanding, I Feel For You project). What the two albums have in common is there is not one bad track among them. There is a rousing opening "We Can Work It Out", then the hit single, "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me".
Other tracks that stick out in my mind are "Night Moods"...a subtle, gentle ballad. Yes, Chaka does understated as well as amazing vocal acrobatics. My 2 favorite tracks are "Heed the Warning" and "We Got Each Other". Both uptempo and sonic adventures. The latter particularly sounds great on CD (vs. vinyl).
Trust me, this album sounds SO SHARP and SO CLEAR on CD. It makes you appreciate the musicianship and Chaka even more.

There aren't enough stars here to rate this one. This was a defining moment in Chaka's career. She took some risks with such material in terms of style. It is an ecclectic mix of R&B, Rock, Disco, Jazz & Pop. I mean the Beatles & the Dizzy Guillespie covers alone make this a worthy purchase. She make them her own while respecting the intentions of the authors. She rips into We Can Work It Out, reminding me of the pure sassy enrgy Aretha had with 'Respect' back in the sixties. She blends with Miles on Night in Tunisia with such fluidity Billie & Ella would be proud!! The title track is a classic dancefloor filler for the cool uptown set. 'I Know You - I Live You" is still a gay club staple to this day. We Got Each Other is an amazing vocal workout she shares with Mark Stevens, her brother. Any Old Sunday has the classic Chake inspired bassline - if you're a true fan, you know what I mean!! Be, Steal, Borrow - do whatever to add this to your collection!!!

This is an AWESOME album. All Chaka Khan fans need to have it. From the sultry sounds of "Night Moods" To the bizzare-yet-cool sounding of her remake of the Beatles' classic, "We can Work it Out" (Even if you don't like what she did with the song, you have to give her credit for making the song her own, and not just a plastic remake, like so many artists have)The sad thing-this album is VERY rare in the states. Get this album now!

The Beatle tune, "We Can Work It Out", I would describe as being the most unusal super funky arrangement of this song I have ever heard. It made me jump up, clap my hands & start dancing. Other tracks really moved too. If you like Chaka Khan, this is a must for your collection along with the "I Feel For You" CD!

This albums weakest cuts "Any Old Sunday" and "Father He
Said" need only be mentioned before we get to the meat of the
matter.1981's "Whatcha' Gonna Do For Me" abruptly ends CK's career as a disco diva and returns her to full-on funk ground with the Billy Preston collaberation on the opening cover of
"We Can Work It Out",which she and Billy DO and then we're
on to the smoother groove of the tital track and the powerful
latin-funk of "I Know You,I Live You"."Fate" and "Heed The Warning" head straight to synth-funk territory while Chaka's
own lyrics and Stevie Wonder's keyboards on 'Night In Tunisia" is
Chaka at her jazzy best.Even the ballad "Night Moods" is among
her very best slow tunes.Then there's her cosmic duet with her
similar sounding brother on "We Got Eachother",proving the Khan
has not only found a new voice for herself but everyone entranced
by her voice and the cosmic music and lyrics found here are all
included as she goes.Often overlooked commercialy but a definate
artistic triumph,filled with classy,singable tunes!