MS CHAKA IS "THE VOICE" ( IF YOU ENJOY REAL VOCALIZING!) Chaka Khan is unique among singers. A highly expressive artist possessing vast vocal resources, she can come across as wild R&B diva one moment, then effortlessly transforms herself into a purring jazz chanteuse the next. For the impassioned listener, enjoying a Chaka Khan recording often involves moments of careless abandon, along with joyful burst of elation. The casual, new listener may feel lost in a world of soulful wailing and jazz-scale phrasing more commonly found in vintage recordings by the likes of greats Bessie Smith and Sarah Vaughan.
Following a four year break between albums, Khan returns here in high form. Right from the Stevie Wonder-like churning funk drive of lead-off track "Everything Changes" over to the hip hop-jazz/soul sensibilities of "Give Me All", it's clear. The singer is not only back on the scene, but for the first time in the nearly ten years of an often erratic solo career with Warner Brothers Records, the artist is in control. For, regardless of the fact that "The Woman I Am" employs the services of a multitude of producers, writers, and co-writers alike, this album has an overall feeling of jointness and focus which has been lacking in Khan's otherwise engaging, yet over-looked output of recent years. As the title indicates, the former lead-singer of the innovative Rufus has firmly put her foot down. In a recording career spanning nearly twenty years, the artist has undertaken a more active behind-the-scenes role in the music she makes. Acting as Executive In Charge Of Production on this project, Khan has re-emerged as a songwriter too, and with quite the impressive offerings. "Telephone" is a reggae/funk fusion that could not be more tailor-made for Khan's unique brand of stylish singing. "Keep Givin' Me Lovin'" matches fun-loving, old-school Chaka-isms with quasi New-Jill rhythm tracks while "Facts Of Love", with its up to the minute production values is a good articulation of the varied stages of a romantic affair, offering shades of Rufus (Hawk Wolinski-like keyboard turns are prevalent)! "The Woman I Am" - All star writers/good message tune (Brenda Russell, actress/artist Dyan Cannon, with Chaka)! Chaka's growth as writer is evident. This song exudes confidence on many levels.
On the not-written-with-Chaka end we find tasteful choices in "Love You All My Lifetime", the album's first, chart-climbing single - a reunion with David Gamson of Scritti Polliti whom worked with Khan on 85's "Destiny" project. Very funky; immensely catchy chorus. Poignant, bittersweet renderings of verses. First-rate Chaka wailing announce that That Voice is not only still there but in GREAT shape! "I Want" - Chaka thrown to "recycled" call and response soul-funk groove. She, of course, tears it up! Lovely layering of her vocals. Exhibits fully-developed harmonising skills throughout. "You Can Make The Story Right" - Written and produced by the late Wayne Braithwaite, enough cannot be said about this bouncy mid-tempo track that is one of Chaka's best attempts at being current, yet herself. Smooth delivery. Very good song. Superb vocal choices by Chaka. "This Time" - another reunion here. Written in-part by David Lasley ("Roll Me Through The Rushes", from Chaka, her first solo outing). Pop ballad-Chaka ("Through The Fire", "Got To Be There") strikes again! Warm, caressing vocal; mature, full-bodied ... beautiful. "Don't Look At Me That Way" - What can you say ...?!! Penned by the almost-legendary-by-now Diane Warren. A ballad slightly a bit more on the pop side of things, with a great Chaka pop-ish vocal with splendid melody, tight bridge, infectious chorus typical of most Diane Warren compositions. As with "This Time", very radio friendly. Over all, "The Woman I Am" as an album is a captivating testimony of everything a good pop record should be - diverse, yet cohesive. A satisfying discovery in the other-wise bland music business of late. A tour de force that is at once a feel good romp and a reflective chronicle of someone coming to terms with all that they are and can aspire to be. Perhaps the finest display of all the woman that is Chaka since '82's "Chaka Khan" LP. The word on the street is true, Chaka Khan is back - and she is still very much Everywoman!!!
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