[Dixielandjazz] From Soul to OKOM?

[Steve barbone]

Tom Wiggins brought up the subject of Chaka Khan in an off list discussion
with me and mentioned her latest CD album, released late 2004. It contains,
quite a few songs that could be labeled OKOM. Thanks Tom.

What? Is this strange, considering her Bio as a "reigning queen of soul?

SHORT BIO:
"First exercising her considerable vocal talents with Funk outfit Rufus,
Chaka Khan has gone on to reinvent herself numerous times, most notably in
the mid-1980s with the pop hit "I Feel for You" and again with her smash
dance hit "I'm Every Woman," which Whitney Houston re-recorded in the '90s.
Perhaps even more revered for such slow, funky numbers as "Tell Me Something
Good," Chaka Khan's voice possesses remarkable depth and range, making her
one of the reigning queens of Soul."

YET IN 2004 SHE RELEASED THE ALBUM  "ClassicKhan" with the following tracks,
among others. (plus backing by the London Symphony Orchestra)

Hey Big Spender                 Is That All There Is?
I'm In The Mood For Love        Stormy Weather
Teach Me Tonight                Crazy
The Best Is Yet To Come         Round Midnight

Typical Review: "This is a wonderful, jazzy set of standards that true music
aficionados will readily appreciate as well as enjoy. There are no surprises
here in terms of vocal performance - Chaka can get as smoky, and sensual,
and exhilarating as anyone out there and she is more than capably backed up
by the London Symphony Orchestra no less. On a very good sound system, this
is the bomb! Top-notch production which gives you the feeling of being in a
grand concert hall with Chaka blowing you away while you sip luxuriously on
your favorite cocktail and enjoy a good cigarette."

Hmmmmmmm. She seems to be reinventing herself once again. With OKOM. What
does she know about the audience for such music that we don't?

Cheers,
Steve Barbone