Chaka Khan – The Platinum Collection
(UK Warner Platinum / Rhino, 2006)
1) I Feel For You 2) I’m Every Woman 3) Ain’t Nobody 4) This Is My Night
(Remix Version) 5) Eye To Eye (Remix Version) 6) Papillon (Hot Butterfly)
7) I Know You, I Live You 8) Love Of A Lifetime 9)The End Of A Love Affair
10) Love You All My Lifetime 11) Don’t Look At Me That Way 12) What Cha
Gonna Do For Me 13) Every Little Thing 14) Through The Fire
Quite an odd collection, this, but not a bad one and comes hot off the heels of
the excellent Atlantic R&B series covering 1947 – 1974. There are a few hits
that we all know, a few rarities and a few obscurities making this album appeal
to a wide audience. I for one prefer the original albums, but for those dipping
their toes into the soul marketplace this is not that bad at all.
How better to start off this set with the excellent "I Feel For You" – the old
body popping favourite – which sounds as fresh to these ears today as it did
back in 1984 when it was a huge hit (in the days when decent records actually
reached the charts!) Stevie Wonder blows his harmonica like there’s no
tomorrow, and the man is even sampled to boot from his "Fingertips" session!
Even Grandmaster Melle Mel does a crackin’ job with his vibrant rap solo.
Ashford & Simpson’s superb song "I’m Every Woman" is here in its original
1978 splendor and not the dreadful 1989 remix. Her other favourite is also here in
its original 1982 form – "Ain’t Nobody". The remastering of these really is
upfront and sharp. The songs fare very well indeed.
Shame about the two horrific
remixes of "This Is My Night" and "Eye To Eye" from the Remix album. Yuck! No thank
you. I wish they would have used the original 7" remix courtesy of
Russ Titelman – that really did do a good job of an already delicious track.
Thankfully her rendition of Gregg Diamond’s "Papillon (Hot Butterfly)"
redeems the proceedings immeasurably. This was one of the cream tracks from
her excellent "Naughty" album which is still available in the US and Japan on CD.
"I Know You, I Live You" and "What Cha Gonna Do For Me" are a must have and has
been lifted from the excellent "What Cha Gonna Do For Me" set from 1981, which
is still available on CD in Europe. These tracks add more clout to my assertion
that the early 1980s was a golden era for our music. I am also happy for "Love
You All My Lifetime" to be included. This was one of two winners from her under-par
"Woman I Am" set; again this sounds as fresh in 2006 as it did then. One
surprise for me was "Every Little Thing" which I have not heard before.
This track is from 1996 and is written by the one and only Gerry Deveaux
along with David Gamson. I’m glad to own this track now as it really is a
belter and suits Chaka Khan down to a tee.
This compilation closes on a very warm moment for me with my favourite Chaka Khan
song of all-time, "Through The Fire". This comes from her hit 1984 album
"I Feel For You". I love this song as much today as I did back then,
and should you not know this song, then please grab a copy of this and discover
it as it’s a real gem.
- Barry Towler
