Naughty is the second solo album by American R&B and funk singer Chaka Khan, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1980.
Contents
Overview
By the early '80s Chaka Khan and producer Arif Mardin had a great working relationship that was responsible for her hit solo debut, 1979's Chaka... Naughty presents the two in a more centered working relationship... most of Naughty represents Khan in a holding pattern, without much material to accommodate her widening range. That being said, Naughty is only a few songs away from being a bona fide classic.
Three singles were released from Naughty: the club hit "Clouds" (penned by Ashford & Simpson, who also wrote Chaka's "I'm Every Woman"). "Clouds" features background vocals performed by a 16-year-old Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy Houston (US R&B #10), "Get Ready, Get Set" (#48) and the big hit "Papillon (a.k.a. Hot Butterfly)" (#22). The album track "Our Love's in Danger" featured prominent background vocals from Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston.
Chart performance
On Billboard's charts, the album reached #6 on Black Albums, #43 on Pop Albums. Naughty garnered Khan her first American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist at the 8th American Music Awards in 1981.
Following the release of Naughty, Khan reunited with Rufus for the recording of 1981's Camouflage. Her third solo album, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me, followed later that same year.
Reissue
Naughty finally saw a United States CD re-release in 1998 as part of the Warner Bros. Black Music Ol' Skool series.
Legacy and impact
Naughty was ranked at number 65 on The 80 Greatest Albums of 1980 by Rolling Stone magazine.
Personnel
Chaka Khan - lead vocals, backing vocals
Anthony Jackson - bass guitar track 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10
Jeff Mironov – guitar track 1, 3, 7, 9, 10
Hamish Stuart – guitar track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
Phil Upchurch – guitar track 7, 10
Steve Khan – guitar track 2, 4
Steve Ferrone - drums
Ken Bichel – synthesizer track 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Arthur Jenkins - percussion track 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 clavinet track 5, 6, electric piano track 7, 8
Leon Pendarvis - piano track 1, 10 electric piano track 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 synthesizer track 4, 8
Peter Gordon - French horn track 3, 8
John Trevor Clark - French horn track 3, 8
Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone track 4, 5, 7, 10
Harvey Estrin - tenor saxophone track 9, alto saxophone track 10
David Tofani - alto saxophone track 5
Eddie Daniels - alto saxophone track 7, 9, tenor saxophone track 10
Lewis Delgatto - baritone saxophone track 5, 7
Ronnie Cuber - baritone saxophone track 9, 10
Production
Arif Mardin - record producer, musical arranger (horns, strings)
Lew Hawn - recording, mix
Michael O'Reilly - assistant engineer
George Marino - mastering
Photography: Glen Wexler