ClassiKhan (2004)

 ClassiKhan is the tenth studio album by American singer Chaka Khan, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra. It was released by independent label Sanctuary Records on October 5, 2004 in United Kingdom, with international releases overseen by different record companies. Produced and arranged by Eve Nelson, ClassiKhan was mainly recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road Studios and features guest appearances by pianist Joe Sample and percussionist Sheila E., among others. 

 

While ClassiKhan does focus on jazz and swing standards, among them "Stormy Weather", "Hazel's Hips", "'Round Midnight" and "Teach Me Tonight", it also features an eclectic selection of classics from other genres, including pop culture favourites such as Broadway show tune "Hey Big Spender" from the musical Sweet Charity, Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is?" penned by Leiber & Stoller and even a '60s country-and-western classic in the form of Patsy Cline's "Crazy", written by Willie Nelson. ClassiKhan also features the themes of film favourites from Khan's youth, "To Sir With Love" and the James Bond themes "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds Are Forever". The collection concludes with one new composition, the ballad "I Believe", co-written by Khan and the album's producer Ira Shickman.

The album was mainly recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road Studios and it features guest appearances by, among others, pianist Joe Sample and percussionist Sheila E., best known for her work with Prince. The title ClassiKhan is also a reference to Khan's accompaniment on the set. Whereas on the Echoes of an Era album Khan used a five-piece all-star jazz ensemble, on ClassiKhan she is accompanied by The New York All Star Musicians – but with the addition of the full London Symphony Orchestra, conducted and arranged by Eve Nelson and with orchestrations by producer Ira Schickman and Gary Anderson.