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. Despite having the hit single "I'm Every Woman,"
Chaka was often a stilted and unfocused affair.
Naughty presents the two in a more centered working relationship. The big hit here, "Papillion (aka Hot Butterfly)," projects an effortlessness that didn't come as easy during
Khan's concurrent run with
Rufus. The tough, Latinized rock/funk of "Too Much Love" has one of
Khan's most visceral performances. For
Naughty Khan also does one of the better versions of Aaron Schroeder and
Jerry Ragovoy's "Move Me No Mountain" that's made even better by
Anthony Jackson's steady bass and
Steve Ferrone's tough drumming. Despite the high points, other songs like "What You Did," "Our Love's in Danger," and even
Ashford & Simpson's "Clouds" come off underdone. Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York, 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. ~ Jason Elias