FUNKYST.

Rip It Up, Issue 57, 1 April 1982, Page 18

FUNKYST.

Chaka Khan and Friends ! Echoes Of An Era (Electra) Rufus with Chaka Khan Camouflage (MCA) In amongst the sophisto-funk of--her last solo album, Chaka Khan included an electrified rendition of Dizzy Gillespie's classic 'A Night In Tunisia'. Now on Echoes she goes the whole way back for a complete session of bebop. Even I the recording was done like the old Blue Note jam sessions two days in and out. The songs are all standards and the musicians are Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Playing all acoustic] (the best Clarke has sounded in years) this band's performances make terrific listening on their own. Khans.vocals are a somewhat more mixed blessing. While it is a pleasant surprise how well she copes in such company, she is certainly no Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald. Her tone/pitch, control and inventiveness all tend to suffer in comparison to previous great interpretations these songs nave 'received in the idiom73|BHflM But then, in all fairness, Khan's music has previously lain within ; the confines of rock. And time was when Rufus was one of the punchiest bands on record with Khan its soulful knockout. (Check 1974's Rufusizcd). In recent years, however, they've become just another disco-funk outfit. Unfortunately Camouflage maintains the pattern. There's nothing intrinsically bad about the album. On the contrary: the songs are varied, never overly repetitive, the arrangements intelligent, the musicianship impeccable (big fat bass lines, sharp brass work, etc) and Khan's vocals restrained enough to avoid her occasional shrillness. It's just that after half a dozen playings I can't recall one damn track. In other words. Camouflage is another super-competent, beautifully produced, American musical lathe-operation. The exact opposite of Echoes Of An Era in; fact. Yet Echoes, whatever its shortcomings, is the album I'll keep out of the two/jMBH Peter Thomson ipfas - m ■- Chic Take It Off (Atlantic) |SpjnnersflpHßßJ^PP|^Bj Can't Shake This Feelin' (Atlantic) Whispers HwMilBfflMBPM Love ls Where You Find It (Solar) This Kind of Lovin' (Solar) T-A '>? Kool & the Gang Something Special (De-Lite) Shalamar Friends (Solar) Lakeside Your Wish Is My Command I SSljlMrtßßHP™™™ Sister Sledge The Sisters (Cotillion) New York has been prime turf for black vocal groups since doo wop days when Drifters first recorded for Atlantic. On the same label, the Spinners keep that tradition lively and Chic shuffle

about as only Chic do. In the same state, Kool and the Gang hang out cool like and Sister Sledge look sultry. - Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Dick Griffey - Mr Fast Food 'of Funk, founder of the Solar label - mixes modern funk, commercial soul and an unknown sticky substance then cooks it: micro-wave soul, man. . Since Le Freak' in 1977, Chic have been black music's prime movers, producing themselves. Sister Sledge and Diana Ross, creating commercial disco at its best. In 1980 they moved on with the album. Real. People. Strident and stark in sound, Rebels We Are’, .'26'.; and the title track are delightfully tongue in cheek. In 1981 after doodling -with Debbie Harry , on Kookoo Chicrecorded their new release Take It Off. an album with several gems: check 'Flashback' (their best cut since 'Good Times') and the instrumental Baby Doll' (beaut sax and organ). Take It Off is your best Chic buy after purchasing their essential hits album. Les Plus Grands Success De Chic. (Cos as every pommie hairdresser knows keeping up with the times means keeping up with Chic.) The lyrical anti thesis to Chic, must be the truly inane get-downs of Kool and the Gang.. But Chic have no recent hit to compare with Kooks sublime Celebrate'. The new Kool platter has two fine singles, Steppin'- Out and 'Take. My Heart'. But instant coffee is more stimulating than: Let's have a good time - Let's have a real good lime Oh ichat a good time Titled Good Time Tonight', that, track's tooo coool for me mate, lovely melody though. Less get-down and let s get-on-with-it. Next stop: LA. From the inane to the ridicFrom the inane to the ridiculous, fly to Los Angeles, where the Whispers aided by Leone F. Sylvers on the "dancin' " of their Love Is album, consummately equate honesty with lack.-of clothes on In The Raw'. Opening . their gatefold cover reveals band members engrossed in their hobbies - a book, two race horses, a fast boat and seven

women, respectively. But in Walter's spare time he "finds relaxation in running the business of Whispers Music Inc." Why has he released two Whispers albums at once? .

This Kind Of Love is produced by the band, it's smooth with an ace title track. Love Is Where You Find It is more contemporary funk. Dancers will dig Side One.* Good stuff; but when will Solar do a Whispers Best Of?

Also on Solar are the more youthful. Lakeside. Their Fantastic Voyage boogie returns, barely disguised, as 'Your Wish Is

My.; Command'. Rather good actually, but the rest of the album is indifferent and 'I Want To. Hold Your Hand’ is awfnL-iaBBBWBjj Best Solar release is Shalamar's Friends. (Remember their big hit.The Second Time Around ?) Best tracks are Don't Try To Change Me' (Jody’s vocal is superb and Solar producer Leon F. Sylvers plays a mean bass) Friends - , ’I Can Make You Feel Good' and There It Is'. As vocalists, Shalamar are maturing, they feature in . the, songwriting credits and they work effectively with their producer. While Shalamar move to higher ground in funky town. Sister Sledge falter. The girls produce and largely write their new album. The Sisters. It s Broadway meets disco, without the bottom end of last year's All American Girls.