Chaka Khan - Epiphany Best of Chaka Khan 1 (16 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

16 Powerfull hits from the Greatest Singer On The Planet

Bob Waskiewicz | Wintersville, Ohio United States | 11/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Chaka Khan from my Sister.She just got back from Wildwood N.J.while on vacation with my cousins.She told me about this fantastic new group,Rufus.They were the opening act for Cheech and Chong.This comedy team was late,and Rufus had to keep on playing untill they showed up.The audience didn't care if they never showed up after hearing Chaka Khan."Tell me Something Good," was there first hit single.The live version is on this CD.My all time favorite cut,"Through the Fire,"is unreal.If anyone out there thinks they can sing,play this song and listen.Prince's,"I fill for You," with the wonderfull rap,was a huge hit. Every type of music is in here,from Disco,"Ain't Nobody,Never Miss the Wather," To the great ballads,"Through the Fire,Your love is all I know,"(this will break your heart apart,)and a Jazzy Dedication to the late Ella Fitzgerald,"The End of A Love Affair."This collection of Chaka Khan is one of my top ten albums of all time. If you love to hear brilliant music from a great singer,songwriter,and artist,You have to get this CD."

Not all the best, but a good sampling

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 08/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chaka Khan may be the most important female R & B singer to emerge over the past thirty years. Divas and divas-in-waiting like Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige have covered her material and attempted to copy her trademark sensual scream (though no one comes close). This compilation helps to explain her importance. At the time this collection was issued in 1996, Chaka's first four albums were out of print in this country. Some of its biggest hits are thankfully found here, like "I'm Every Woman," "Papillon," "What'cha Gonna Do For Me," along with later classics such as "I Feel For You" and "Ain't Nobody." Unfortunately left off though are the top ten smashes "Clouds" and her remake of the Michael Jackson ballad "Got To Be There" (which eats the original for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Those two are major hits that should have been included. Also puzzling is the exclusion of any tracks from 1992's THE WOMAN I AM (easily her strongest and most consistent album). Instead of just presenting all of Chaka's biggest chart hits, it appears that the compilers wanted to make a statement as to her tremendous versatility by including some of her most adventurous work. "Love Me Still," from the film CLOCKERS, is a folky acoustic number which shows Chaka doesn't need vocal histrionics to shine. "Night In Tunisia" finds her comfortably inhabiting the world of jazz, while her rendition of Billie Holiday's "The End Of A Love Affair" reveals this lady can also sing the blues. EPIPHANY also included five new recordings, of which only "Never Miss The Water" with Me'Shell Ndegeocello takes its place among Chaka's greatest work (though the ballad "Your Love Is All I Know" and her reggae take on Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere" are certainly enjoyable). Hopefully a second Best Of volume with all of the key missing recordings will be released by Warner Brothers (or Rhino) someday soon."

How can this be?

20to20K | Maryland | 02/05/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Chaka Khan is one of my most favorite female contempary singers of all time...she may in fact BE my favorite (sorry Joni and Aretha). So how can it be that a collection of her so-called best has me reaching for the "next track" button more than the volume button?

I discovered that the reason for this is that most of Chaka's best efforts have come on Rufus albums, side projects with jazz ensembles, and as guests on other peoples CD's. (Check out "Who Do you Love" from Lenny Whites "Present Tense")

Most of the songs here are the ones that the casual Chaka fan will recognize...I Feel for you, I'm Every Woman, What Cha' gonna do for me, etc...and those are all fine soul/pop ditties but where Chaka shines best is where grunting out funk numbers on Rufus jams and ballads like Don't Talk to strangers, or her projects with the likes of Chick Corea.

This is not a bad CD...in fact I'd say it's pretty good. But I guess I was expecting something a little more diverse from someone with the range, skill, and following of Chaka. The duet with Me-Shell N'deocello is a high point as well as "Ain't Nobody" and "Tell me something good", which are both off of Rufus albums by the way."

The Essence of Chaka Khan

Inita Traylor (atltsd@aol.com) | Birmingham, AL | 11/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CHAKA KHAN! The name says it all! Epiphany is the long overdue compilation of some of Chaka's great music. Putting this package together must have been terribly difficult because so many of Chaka's songs are GREAT!I particularly love "Ain't Nobody" - FUNK BLISS! "I Know You, I Live You" - with it's Brazilian dance styling. "A Night in Tunisia" - You'll never hear anyone do anything like this again! "Through The Fire" - How do you pack more emotion into this classic song? "Love Me Still" - Chaka at her best with acoustic accompanyment! "I Feel For You" and "I'm Every Woman" - Passion! I get goose bump everytime I hear them. "The End of a Love Affair" - Jazz, a new career direction for Chaka if she ever thought about changing course in her musical direction. Classy! Everyone song is a jem!"

The High Priestess of FUNK!

R. Davis | Washington DC Metro Area | 01/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan is a long overdue greatest hits collection of one of the most influential singers ever. Chaka Khan's stamp on the music industry is well documented. Known early in her career as "Little Aretha" this sexy siren has a voice which such range. From highs to lows and even some screaming on key, this is an incredible singer.

Included on the 16 track cd are some of her biggest hits like the touching "Through The Fire", the mega smash Prince remake "I Feel For You" and her first solo hit "I'm Every Woman," a track later remade by Whitney Houston. There is also a live version of "Tell Me Something Good" -the Stevie Wonder written hit for Rufus and Chaka Khan. Other selections featured on the cd may not be big hits but they definitely showcase the dynamics and versatility of Chaka's voice. Songs like "Night In Tunasia" and "The End Of A Love Affair" demonstrate what Chaka can do when it comes to a jazz tune. There is also the heartfelt "Love Me Still", a collaboration with Bruce Hornsby from Spike Lee's CLOCKERS soundtrack.

This best of cd also features 5 new songs. These songs actually were apart of a shelved 1995 Chaka cd entitled "Dare You To Love Me." "Everywhere" is a Fleetwood Mac song that Chaka reworks, but instead of a traditional rock rhythm....it's done reggae style. "Never Miss The Water" is a funky tune which features R&B/bassist M'shelle N'degeocello. "Something Deep" continues the funkiness. However the mood gets more somber and touching with "Your Love Is All I Know" - a Chris Walker remake. Closing out the best of cd is a jazzy/fusion song called "Every Little Thing."

This may not be a complete best of cd whereas some significant hits like "Sweet Thing" or "Everlasting Love" could have been added. But still the track selection is a solid offering of Chaka Khan, one of the most copied and influential voices in the music industry."

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