Chaka Khan (September 29, 1998) – Come 2 My House CD / Cassette
Come 2 My House is the tenth solo studio album by Chaka Khan and her first release for NPG Records. The project was largely co-written and co-produced by Prince and represented one of the most substantial collaborations between the two artists.
Released in the United States on September 29, 1998, the album combined Chaka Khan's powerful vocal style with Prince's contemporary late-1990s production approach. The release formed part of a wider NPG Records campaign that also included Newpower Soul by The New Power Generation and GCS 2000 by Graham Central Station.
The album reached number 49 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.
SESSIONS AND COMPILING
The album was recorded between November 1997 and June 1998 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Several tracks originated from earlier Prince-related recording projects. Don't Talk 2 Strangers was originally recorded in 1992, while Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart and I'll Never B Another Fool originated from sessions recorded in 1995.
An early configuration of the album was assembled in February 1998 without Democrazy, which had not yet been recorded. The album was initially planned for release on July 21, 1998 before being delayed.
Hair was recorded as a cover version of the Graham Central Station classic originally released in 1973.
For the newly-recorded material, Chaka Khan wrote lyrics while Prince supplied much of the music and instrumentation. Although Prince's individual performances were not formally credited on the released album, he contributed extensively throughout the project.
STYLE & THEMES
The album blends contemporary R&B, funk, soul and pop.
Prince's production combines live instrumentation, programmed elements, horn arrangements and orchestral textures while allowing Chaka Khan's vocals to remain the primary focus.
Songs such as Come 2 My House, Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart and Don't Talk 2 Strangers highlight the musical chemistry between the two artists, while tracks including Democrazy and The Drama expand into broader social and thematic territory.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Come 2 My House — Opening title track and one of the album's signature recordings.
• Intro / This Crazy Life Of Mine — Features orchestration by Clare Fischer.
• Betcha — Funk-oriented collaboration featuring Larry Graham.
• Spoon — Promotional single release.
• Pop My Clutch — Features guest vocals by Queen Latifah.
• Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart — Originated from earlier Prince sessions.
• I'll Never B Another Fool — Reworked from a previously-recorded song.
• Democrazy — Added late in the album's development.
• Remember U — Collaboration featuring Larry Graham.
• Reconsider (U Betta) — Horn-driven arrangement.
• Don't Talk 2 Strangers — Only commercially released UK single from the album.
• Hair — Cover of the Graham Central Station recording.
• The Drama — Closing track written by Kirk Johnson.
PROMOTION
The album produced one commercially released single:
• Don't Talk 2 Strangers
Promotional releases included:
• Spoon (Promo Only)
• This Crazy Life Of Mine (Promo Only)
Chaka Khan also toured with Prince on the New Power Soul Tour and New Power Soul Festival Tour during the promotional period.
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
12" Promo Sampler (UK) | CHAKA1 | SIDE ONE: • Reconsider (U Betta) • Spoon SIDE TWO: • Betcha I • Come 2 My House |
RELEASE HISTORY
Released in the United States on September 29, 1998 through NPG Records.
A United Kingdom release followed approximately six months later.
The album was issued on compact disc and cassette formats.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
Country | Chart | Entry Date | Peak Position | Weeks |
USA | Billboard R&B Albums Chart | October 17, 1998 | 49 | 15 |
EUROPE
—
PACIFIC
—
CERTIFICATIONS
• No certifications recorded.
AWARDS
• No awards recorded.
PERSONNEL
Chaka Khan — lead vocals
Prince — instruments, background vocals, horn arrangements
Michael B. Nelson — trombone, horn arrangements
Kathy Jensen — baritone saxophone
Dave Jensen — trumpet
Steve Strand — trumpet
Clare Fischer — orchestration
Larry Graham — bass guitar, vocals
Ricky Peterson — keyboards
Brother Jules — scratches
Robert D. Palmer — additional vocals
Queen Latifah — featured vocals
Mike Scott — guitar
Chanté Moore — vocals
Marva King — background vocals
Rhonda Smith — bass guitar
Walter Chancellor Jr. — saxophone
Michael B. — drums
Sonny T. — bass
Mayte — finger cymbals, background vocals
Kirk Johnson — instruments, songwriting
PRODUCTION
Co-Produced by Chaka Khan
Co-Produced by Prince
Recorded at Paisley Park Studios
Horn Arrangements by Prince
Additional Horn Arrangements by Michael B. Nelson
Orchestration by Clare Fischer
Label: NPG Record
NOTES
• Tenth solo studio album by Chaka Khan.
• First Chaka Khan album released on NPG Records.
• Released in the USA on September 29, 1998.
• United Kingdom release followed approximately six months later.
• Recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, between November 1997 and June 1998.
• Largely co-written and co-produced by Prince.
• An early version of the album was compiled in February 1998 without Democrazy.
• Originally scheduled for release on July 21, 1998 before being postponed.
• Don't Talk 2 Strangers originated from sessions recorded in 1992.
• Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart and I'll Never B Another Fool originated from sessions recorded in 1995.
• Hair is a cover of the Graham Central Station recording originally released in 1973.
• Don't Talk 2 Strangers was the only commercially released single from the album.
• Promotional singles included Spoon and This Crazy Life Of Mine.
• Reached No. 49 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.
• Chaka Khan toured with Prince on the New Power Soul Tour and New Power Soul Festival Tour during the album's promotional campaign.
• The project formed part of a wider NPG Records release programme that also included Newpower Soul by The New Power Generation and GCS 2000 by Graham Central Station.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Chaka Khan | Come 2 My House | NPG Records | USA | Not Supplied | September 29, 1998 | CD |
Chaka Khan | Come 2 My House | NPG Records | USA | Not Supplied | September 29, 1998 | Cassette |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
CD | 785337982129 | TRACK LISTING: • Come 2 My House • Intro / This Crazy Life Of Mine • Betcha • Spoon • Pop My Clutch • Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart • I'll Never B Another Fool • Democrazy • Remember U • Reconsider (U Betta) • Don't Talk 2 Strangers • Hair • The Drama |
Cassette | 785337982129 | SIDE ONE: • Come 2 My House • Intro / This Crazy Life Of Mine • Betcha • Spoon • Pop My Clutch • Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart • I'll Never B Another Fool SIDE TWO: • Democrazy • Remember U • Reconsider (U Betta) • Don't Talk 2 Strangers • Hair • The Drama |
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
12" Promo Sampler | CHAKA1 | SIDE ONE: • Reconsider (U Betta) • Spoon SIDE TWO: • Betcha I • Come 2 My House |
SINGLES RELEASED
Title | Format |
Don't Talk 2 Strangers | Commercial Single |
Spoon | Promo Only |
This Crazy Life Of Mine | Promo Only |
RELATED RELEASES
• Newpower Soul
• GCS 2000
• Don't Talk 2 Strangers
• Spoon
• This Crazy Life Of Mine
SOURCES Prince Vault, Discogs, sleevographia2.
All single artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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