Veteran singer Chaka Khan returns to form with the new CD, Funk This!, released today (September 25th) on Burgundy Records. The project teams Khan for the first time with writer-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and recaptures some of the soulful and melodic fire of her Rufus heyday with a contemporary edge.

Though she released the big band/orchestral covers set ClassiKhan in 2004, many are hailing Funk This! as the first true Chaka album in almost 10 years. "People tell me that a lot, that they were missing the Chaka sound or missing my stuff," she told Billboard. "I hear that all the time. But now I'm back and they don't have to miss it any more."

The album features the first single, "Angel," a ballad of personal survival that Khan penned first as a poem many years ago. The tune has risen to Number Ten on the national urban AC airplay chart.

In addition to originals like "One For All Time," "Will You Love Me," and "Super Life," Khan also includes covers of tunes by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and Prince, whose composition "I Feel For You" was a million-selling, Grammy-winning, Number One record for Khan in 1984. On Funk This, Khan tackles Prince's "Sign O' The Times," which morphs at the end into the signature vocals of her 1978 hit "I'm Every Woman."

"I've always loved the song and its message seems very prophetic now. I included a part of 'I'm Every Woman' because adding that felt very natural when we were recording," Khan explained.

Khan also revisits Rufus classics in a medley of "Pack'd My Bags" and "You Got The Love."

Also appearing on the CD is Michael McDonald, who performs a duet of his hit "You Belong To Me" with Khan, and Mary J. Blige, who performs "Disrespectful" with her idol.


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