Chaka Khan - Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1

Chaka Khan's career through the 1996 release of Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1 -- involving eight albums with Rufus and eight solo albums, along with assorted collaborations -- produced roughly 40 Top 40 r&b singles, not to mention dozens of undervalued album cuts. So it is clear that any one-disc attempt at wrapping up the highlights is bound to work more like a sampler than a true best-of. And though this release is given the "Vol. 1" tag, it remained without a sequel as late as 2005, when Reprise reissued it without altering the contents. Yet another frustration is that previously unreleased songs take the place of missing classics like "Sweet Thing," "Clouds," "Fate," "Close the Door," and "Stay." (That's just for starters.) Nonetheless, the disc does contain Khan's most popular work, from ballads like "Through the Fire" to anthems like "I'm Every Woman" and "Ain't Nobody," along with other radio staples, such as "I Feel for You" and "Tell Me Something Good." At the absolute least, Khan deserves a solo-only best-of, as well as a disc that sticks strictly to her work with Rufus. (The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, the only anthology dedicated to Rufus, has its own set of issues.) ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allen Cato Guitar Andre Betts Producer Arif Griffin Arranger Arif Mardin Producer, Arranger Barry Fletcher Hair Stylist Benjamin Wright String Arrangements Bob Power Mixing Bruce Hornsby Arranger Carl Nappa Assistant Engineer Chaka Khan Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Charles Veal Concert Master Charlie Pizzarello Photography Chieli Minucci Guitar Chris Botti Trumpet, Flugelhorn Dave Grusin Arranger David Foster Arranger, Producer David Gamson Keyboards, Programming, Drums, Producer, Rhythm Arrangements, Engineer David Wolinski "Hawk" Arranger Derrick Edmondson Saxophone, Horn Arrangements Elaine Wallace Stylist Federico Pena Piano, Fender Rhodes Gloria Gabriel Production Coordination Howard McCrary Vocals (Background) Humberto Gatica Producer Isaac Vere Bass Jason Goldstein Assistant Engineer Jerry Hey Flugelhorn, Arranger John Fumo Trumpet Keith Crouch Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Arranger Kipper Jones Vocal Arrangement Larry Williams Flute Lawrence Feldman Flute Luis Conte Percussion Lyn Bradley Art Direction, Design Mark Stevens Vocals (Background) Matt Knobel Engineer Me'Shell Ndegéocello Bass, Vocals Michael O'Reilly Mixing, Engineer Norman Brown Guitar Oliver Leiber Guitar, Rhythm Arrangements Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar Rail Jon Rogut Engineer Raymond Chue Fender Rhodes Reggie Griffin Arranger Reggie Wells Make-Up Roy Dog Pennon Bass Russ Titelman Producer Steve Baxter Trombone Steve Hall Mastering Steve Skinner Synthesizer, Arranger, Keyboards Tammy Coleman-McCrary Executive Producer Wah Wah Watson Guitar