Chaka Khan is a 73 year old singer/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois who’s earned herself the title of the Queen of Funk after releasing Chaka, Naughty, Whatcha Gonna Do for Me?, self-titled, I Feel for You, Destiny, ck & The Woman I Am under Warner Records. I don’t even mind the NPG Records-backed Come 2 My House all that much either, considering it quite possibly her finest material since her Warner days. It’s been over 7 & a half years since Island Records dropped Hello Happiness & the iKhan Sounds founder’s going independent for her 13th studio LP.
The title track opens up singing about waiting for this moment her entire life & being a giant on top of a synth-funk, dance-pop & nu disco instrumental whereas “Boogie’s in My Soul” featuring WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg comes through with a nu disco/dance-pop ode to Chaka & Melle Mel’s rendition of “I Feel for You” by the late Prince. “Curious Subject” embraces a synth-funk vibe singing about the friends she’s lost saying she has a lot going on & after “Cool You Down” featuring Sia teams up for a reggae duet regarding men who take their breath away, “I Know You Can” ends the 1st leg declaring herself to be the real one.
“Bring the Party” featuring Lenny Kravitz kicks off the 2nd half of Chakzilla warmly singing about today being all we have just before “Always Love the Challenge” reminds the world she likes it rough & her capability of maintaining her own balance. “Heart of Gold” brings some heavy synthesizers in the picture singing about a partner who she firmly believes is the one for her but once “Now & Forever” pleading for this person to become her man for all eternity, the outro “Dreamy Stuff” sends off Chakzilla
Regardless of the fact a great deal of Chaka Khan’s output for the past 4 decades has mostly been welcomed to lukewarm reception, I can definitely say Chakzilla makes some points in terms of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer still having a place in today’s musical landscape even after becoming a spiritual guru hosting meditation sessions online becoming the most I’ve enjoyed a full-length from her since the underrated Come 2 My House. Greg Kurstin gives her some of the strongest production she’s had since being signed to the Purple One drawing inspiration from synth-funk, dance-pop, nu disco & reggae advising the world to find our power no matter where we’re at in our lives.
Score: 3.5/5
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