Rags to Rufus
| Rags to Rufus | ||||
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| Studio album by Rufus | ||||
| Released | May 1974 | |||
| Recorded | 1973–1974 | |||
| Studio | Quantum Studios (Torrance, California) |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:50 | |||
| Label |
ABC ABCX-809 |
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| Producer |
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| Rufus chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rags to Rufus | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |
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| Robert Christgau | (B) |
| Rolling Stone | (not rated) |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
Rags To Rufus is the gold-selling second studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1974. It reached #4 on both the Pop and Black Albums charts. It is notable for the hit singles "Tell Me Something Good" (US Pop #3, US R&B #3), written by Stevie Wonder, and "You Got the Love" (US Pop #11, US R&B #1), written by lead vocalist Chaka Khan and Ray Parker, Jr.. In 1975 "Tell Me Something Good" earned the band its first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
In 1973, Rufus released their first album. While Khan handled lead vocals on six of the tracks, then-member Ron Stockert also led on a number of tracks. While "Slip & Slide", Rufus' first single, with Stockert applying lead vocals, failed to chart, two numbers from the album ("Feel Good" and "Whoever's Thrilling You is Killing Me") were led by Khan. Reaction from the Khan-led singles gave ABC Records the push to make Khan the focal point of the group, something that didn't sit well with Ron Stockert, who was then the band's artistic leader. While Stockert would be featured on the album singing lead with Khan on their funky remake of the gospel ballad, "Swing Down Chariot" and was featured on the inner sleeve of the album, halfway through sessions, Stockert left the group. Keyboardist Nate Morgan replaced him. Tony Maiden (who later replaced Al Ciner on guitar) would bring an extra effort to their yet-established sound - the use of the talk box.
While recording in Los Angeles, the group was surprised by the unannounced arrival of Stevie Wonder, who'd admired the group after hearing their rendition of his song "Maybe Your Baby". Wonder had several songs he had written for Khan. One of the songs - "Come and Get This Stuff" - was not received favorably by Khan which stunned Wonder, according to Khan (the song would later appear on his ex-wife Syreeta's second album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta). Wonder then asked Khan, then only twenty at the time, what her birth sign was, Khan replied "Aries-Pisces" and Wonder responded by introducing another song, "Tell Me Something Good". This time Khan approved and agreed to put her vocal stamp on it.
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Wikipedia