LP Review: What Cha' Gonna Do for Me
Released: 1981
LP Charts: #3 R&B, #17 pop
After albums with Rufus in 1978 and 1979 plus solo albums in 1978 and 1980, Chaka Khan was once again back out on the music market to sell What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me. Her soulful wares were well received as Khan racked up yet another gold LP.
The title track is too tough and a big improvement over the Average White Band version. AWB’s Steve Ferrone (drums) and Hamish Stuart (guitar) didn’t take offense and happily played on yet another Chaka Khan album.
“What Cha' Gonna Do for Me” (#1 R&B, #53 pop) gave Khan another chart-topper in the world of soul. My big complaint is that it’s too short. Shoulda tacked on another minute of jammin’ and vampin’. Ah well, at least “I Know You, I Live You” is the next song in line and it’s a delightful post-disco jam incorporating synthpoppy keyboards.
The boogie ceases with the LA pop sunshine of “Any Old Sunday”. But the boogie is quickly back with “We Got Each Other” as Khan got her brother Mark Stevens to drop in for a duet. Both songs are enjoyably good.
And now comes the album’s most ambitious stretch with a trio of fantastic songs.
“And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia)” — Chaka Khan turns this jazz standard into a strange concoction of bop and boogie funk. Khan even got Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet) and Herbie Hancock (synthesizers) to play on this track!
“Night Moods” — after that fast-paced workout, Khan appropriately drops the pace all the way down with this meditative piece. Sleepy strings, a comfy bass, some airy keyboards, and Khan’s controlled, understated delivery create a dreamy atmosphere. Honestly, Khan’s ability to sing quietly yet powerfully is an example of what separates the good singers from the great ones.
“Heed the Warning” — not as good the above two songs. However, its trembling guitar and keyboards coupled with a rubber bass find Khan at home imitating some of Britain’s finest punk bands that were inspired by funk. Looking at you, Gang of Four.
Well, those songs had ambition that worked, the following three songs scattered across the album, have their issues.
“We Can Work It Out” — another in a growing number of underwhelming Chaka Khan covers of Stevie Wonder songs. Yes, the Beatles wrote it, but Khan’s early 80s post-disco funk version clearly mimics Wonder’s perfect 1971 rendition.
“Father He Said” — a kinda drab ballad, despite the attempted melodrama.
“Fate” — actually has some interesting keyboards and synths, but everything else is perfunctory, so this song doesn’t amount to anything inspiring.
ALBUM GRADE: B
Hey, even the “underwhelming” songs are actually decent stuff. Chaka Khan was on a damn hot streak on her solos albums.
Song Scores
We Can Work It Out: 6/10
What Cha' Gonna Do for Me: 8.5/10
I Know You, I Live You: 7.5/10
Any Old Sunday: 7/10
We Got Each Other: 7/10
And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia): 8.5/10
Night Moods: 8/10
Heed the Warning: 7.5/10
Father He Said: 6/10
Fate: 6/10