BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan
Most mainstream fans associate vocalist Chaka Khan either as the lead singer for the seminal '70s funk band Rufus or as the R&B; singer who became a short-lived '80s sensation with the infectious cover of Prince's pop hit "I Feel for You." However throughout the years Khan has shown an interest in jazz as well, and this 60-minute live performance gives the artist a chance to show off her nuanced versatility by covering a handful of old jazz standards. Khan sets the evening's mood by allowing her superb band (which is not credited, unfortunately) to warm up and take individual solos on the  instrumental "Dark Secret" before finally making an appearance on stage. Once  she does, it's a bit shaky at first. During "Them There Eyes," she sounds  tentative and nervous, but by the time she hits "My Funny Valentine," the singer  hits her stride. Throughout this brief but thoroughly enjoyable set, Khan  consistently picks the right spots to demonstrate that her unmistakable voice  hasn't lost a thing over the years. She can still belt them out with the best of  'em. Even if they're not Chaka Khan fans, jazz loyalists will want to see this  show, simply because her band powers the evening; the bass and horn playing  often outshine the singer. Make no mistake: Khan is good here, but her band is better.--Dave McCoy