Taka Boom

With an impressive array of musical history under her belt, from the black power band Shades of Black she formed with her sister Chaka Khan in the late '60s, to her work with Parliament and her stint with Norman Whitfield's Undisputed Truth, Taka Boom's solo work was undoubtedly shaped by those dazzling moments. Striking out on her own, Boom took all these experiences and influences and brought them to delightful fruition on her 1979 eponymous debut. Backed by an impressive array of musicians that included her husband, tenor saxophonist John "Boom" Brumbach; her sister; and her brother, Aurra's Mark Stevens, among others, Boom crafted a punchy, joyful, and spirited blend of pure disco, funk fire, and good old R&B that edged her just into the Top 50. Taka Boom, in turn, spawned two successful singles, the disco-driven "Red Hot" and the percussion- and horn-led "Night Dancin'," which dipped into the Top 20. Lighter disco-inclined pop, both songs are good, but are also reflective of what made a hit at the end of the decade. Where Boom is at her best, though, is across those songs which are now forgotten, most notably the deeply funky "Dance Baby Dance," which features blistering horns and bass, and its cousin, "Dance Like You Do at Home," which is equally funk-heavy. Also interesting is the blues-inflected "Troubled Waters," which showcases Boom's vocal range to its best advantage across moody instrumentation. Taka Boom is a marvelous debut from a highly talented musician, who unfortunately has always been relegated to the annals of fringe, too often cast aside as Chaka Khan's sister. This LP still proves any nay-sayers wrong, though, and is a wonderful addition to any funk collection. ~ Amy Hanson, All Music Guide