Chaka Khan performing in Atlanta

If you missed the legendary Ms. Chaka Khan in concert with Najee at Cobb Energy Performing Arts center, then you missed a rare treat.

Najee opened the evening in a unique way by playing directly to the middle of the audience. His first selection was “The Night I Fell in Love”. “Sweet Summer Nights” included an amazing drum solo. The audience was also treated to an instrumental version of Anita Baker’s classic “Sweet Love”, which featured a sensational guitar battle, and Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet”. Other selections included “Sound for Sore Ears” and “We Gone Ride”, in which guitarist Chuck Johnson provided the vocals that Eric Benet normally provides for the track. Najee also played the selection “Noah’s Ark”, which was written for his son and was specifically dedicated to Trayvon Martin during the concert. Najee is multi-talented, and it was great to hear him also play the flute and the baritone saxophone.

Then Ms. Chaka Khan took the stage, and she immediately got rid of her jacket. Ms. Khan looked amazing! She has lost a significant amount of weight, and showed off her hard work by rocking a fitted black cat suit. The set opened with the opening vocals for “I Feel for You”, chanting “Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan…..”. The first full selection was “I’m a Woman (I’m a Backbone). Then she transitioned into the party starter “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me?”. The tune “Your Smile” came next. The classic “Sweet Thing” lulled listeners into a groove that would automatically take you back to the first time you heard it. (more…)

If Chili Sauce is the “building” prelude and introspective dialogue of a gigolo, then If the Kid Can’t Make You Come is the “climatic” close. Now, if you follow my posts on GFM’s Facebook from time to time, you already know I can say a few naughty things about this song however, I’ll keep it semi PG-13 and say this one thing:

Fellas, if you build it……………..she will come.

(dropping my mic with the Randy Watson “Sexual Chocolate” ending.)

Here is The Original 7ven (formerly The Time) with If The Kid Can’t Make You Come.

A great lyrical player with a whole lot of chops… Mr. Don Myrick (RIP) handles the duties on the alto here. Can someone name another great solo from Don?

Inaugural episode of the GFM series that hopes to bring you the best in sax in its role in popular music over the last few decades. I must admit the saxophone has been missing somewhat on the contemporary landscape as far as memorable solos or lines go but quite frankly a lot of instruments have been M.I.A. in that regard. I hope you enjoy this classic that features Pete Christlieb on Tenor and to coin a phrase “They don’t write ‘em like that anymore.” Enjoy!