The Best of Booker
Chuckii Booker on the cover of his self-titled 1989 debut.
How excited was I to learn today that Chuckii Booker, the producer, arranger, instrumentalist and singer, whose fame peaked in the late eighties and early nineties, was the musical director of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour. I was ultra fortunate enough to see Ms. Jackson way back then, alongside my best friend, L'Erin, and her mom, my Auntie Lue, at its Tacoma, Washington stop. Learning this little biographical tidbit further endears me to Booker who I already had a soft spot for on account of his breakout single "Turned Away" and the two i's in his name.
Godchild of Barry White, Booker released two solo albums, Chuckii (1989) from whence came, "Turned Away," and Nice 'n Wiild (1992), which brought the world the throwback at noon playlist staple, "Games." He also handled production on Troop hits, "My Heart", "All I Do is Think of You" and "Spread My Wings" and y'all know how I feel about Troop. Booker has stayed active over the past decade and a half producing and arranging for more established (Lionel Richie) and low-profile (Lalah Hathaway) artists. No better time than now to flashback to some classics in which our boy Booker had a hand:
"Turned Away" --Chuckii Booker
The verses to this song, his first hit single, I never paid much attention to, but the chorus was/is like "cotton candy on a rainy day."
"The Right Stuff" - Vanessa Williams
Booker got credit as an arranger, backing vocalist and keyboardist on the album from which this title track came, but here, I believe he just contributed backing vocals alongside Johnny Gill no less.
"Treat U Rite" - Angela Winbush
I still, umm, bump this song written and produced by Booker. Knocking on 40 when this song dropped in 1994, the veteran Winbush (who looked awesome in the video) handed the reigns to Chuckii who was then a little more au courant but didn't change up her signature vocal style on this nineties fav.
"Games" - Chuckii Booker
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Comments
1.
sandy says:
I have known Chuckii for 20yrs and he is definately one of a kind, there arent enough words to express what an amazing talent, man, musician and Daddy he is. Codii is the luckiest little boy to have a Daddy like him :)
08/07/2007 at 2:03 AM
2.
Danila McDaniel says:
Although Mr. Booker is an amazing artist, the first and most Important thing is that he is an AMAZING PERSON.
I am a good friend of Chuckii and the man has an amazing spirit.
NEVER HOLLYWOOD!
I love you Chuckii
08/06/2007 at 9:39 PM
3.
ROCC BOTTOM says:
Chuck is going to bring the PAIN. He is one of the baddest, funkiest cats around no doubt. If he does the Soul Triilogy in his show then that will do it for me. All music cats know that he is the truth. COME ON CHUCK, LET THESE FOOLS KNOW HOW IT'S DONE
ROCC BOTTOM
08/06/2007 at 8:58 PM
4.
Germaine Allen says:
Thank you so much Jalylah! I can't wait to see and hear what he is up to.
kudos!
08/05/2007 at 3:08 PM
5.
jalylah says:
Germaine,
Thanks for sharing. I've been in contact with Chuckii Booker and it looks like I will be able to interview him for the blog!
08/03/2007 at 8:14 PM
6.
Germaine Allen says:
I briefly met Chuckii about 10 years ago in NY when he was playing for Tina Turner on her "Wildest Dreams" tour. I didn't know his talent back then and wasn't on the R&B music scene as i am now but a friend of mine told me about him and of his accomplishments. I immediately purchased both of his CD's and was totally blown away. He truly is a genius and should mentioned musically within the likes of Prince, Stevie and Lenny Kravitz. He may not have the success of those fore mentioned but has every bit of the talent and skill. I've heard so much influence in other artists as well. Ask Mint Condition, I'm sure they will oblige.
to this day, I have always called him the "Rodney Dangerfield" of R&B. He never got the respect he so valiantly deserved. Thanks for reminding us of Mr. Booker and hopefully you can track him down to do an interview.
Germaine
08/03/2007 at 8:50 AM
7.
Courtney Young says:
Excellent article Chuckii Booker is definitely one of those artists who made an extraordinary impact on the R&B canon of my childhood (80s and 90s). Curious to know, what other artists, along with Chuckii Booker (say 3 or 4 other artists) do you credit with your own R & B experience?
08/02/2007 at 8:06 PM
8.
Darrell H says:
Hello Jalylah, As far as i know, he is doing a majority of tunes from his 2 albums along with a brief tribute to ALL of the artists he's musically directed and/or produced. (Janet, Faith Evans, TROOP, New Edition, TLC etc.) I am friends with Chuckii's assistant engineer who mentioned of his recent activity back in the music business so i know the information is definitely valid. This tour is to help kick off a 50/50 live recorded CD of his old material and studio recorded material (which i've heard 2 tracks already and they are incredible. (in my honest opinion ) Just his take on melodies and background harmonies is truly unbelievable in every sense of the word. His sound today is not affected by the style of R&B music for sure. Being a fan of Chuckii for years, I wish him well in his endeavors.
D.
08/02/2007 at 1:57 AM
9.
jalylah says:
well, darrell, if i'm in LA when he hits the house of blues, i'm there, but mostly to hear his old stuff. so many artists of his generation have difficulty transitioning into present but given his work with mature artists like hathaway, richie, and gerald albright, i have slightly more faith in him. anyway, do you know if this possible house of blues run is to promote a new project? curious.
08/01/2007 at 9:31 PM
10.
Darrell H says:
Chuckii is one of those musician / producers who truly never got the recognition he deserves. Not only is he gifted in many instruments but has the production side down as well. His music still stands up to this day and was light years ahead of his time. I recently heard that he is preparing for a live show run (possibly House of Blues?) sometime early next year. If this is the case, I will be there and will fly to see him no matter where he performs. He was seriously overlooked and not promoted efficiently by his label at the time (Atlantic Records). Hopefully, a turn of events will see him get his props this time around as his music back then is now ready for R&B listeners who missed out on him in the late 80's and early 90's.
D.
08/01/2007 at 9:13 PM