photo by steed media service

Legendary Singer

Chaka’s soon-to-be released CD, Funk This, is truly classic Khan. Entirely produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it features both new songs and covers of old songs. The music icon reinvents hits by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, De De Warwick and more. “Do you know who you are?” The accomplishments you’ve made, the people you’ve encouraged and inspired,” Khan says Terry asked her when she entered the studio. A humble Chaka simply says singing is just what she does. “I love working with Terry and Jimmy,” she says, they’re such beautiful human beings, I just loved working with them.”

Funk This also features a duet with Mary J. Blige.

“Mary had to come back and do more vocals after I did my parts,” Khan relayed at a listening session at New York’s Sony Studios. “That’s my dog, I love her. There were times I said, ‘Is that my line?’ ” recalls Khan about being unable to make the distinction between herself and Mary, paying homage to her musical protégé.

Khan recently took the stage with Jill Scott at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and takes part in this year’s Festival International De Jazz De Montreal. She says more shows are sure to come, where she’ll perform new material and a few of her well-known hits.

“I know if I don’t sing ‘Tell Me Something Good’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’ I’ll get lynched,” says a cheerful Khan. –curtis waller

Watch Chaka Khan in action at www.rollingout.com/ckhan