chaka khan, born yvette marie stevens, is an american singer-songwriter whose career has spanned four decades, beginning in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band rufus. often dubbed the queen of funk, khan has won ten grammys and has sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide.
*what cha gonna do for me* (1980) is arguably the best effort of the partnership with arif mardin. slowly but surely the two began to craft an even more successful and innovative sound. the album peaked at #3 in the r&b albums chart of 1981.
the cover of *we can work it out* gets a brash and funky stevie wonder –style arrangement, with gregory phillanganes doing great synth work. the best song here, *i know you, i live you*, displays brilliant bass and drum.
pressing on 180 gram audiophile vinyl.
