Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan* – Rufusized

By far, the very best Rufus album and if you look at it as a Chaka album one of her very best as well.
If you’re familiar with Stevie’s magic period, this is Rufus’ magic period but instead of 5 different masterpieces you get just one but it’s HUUUUUUUGE !!!

Album Revolution #2:

Even though "Rufus" (now featuring "Chaka Khan") captured the hearts of the People around the World with their second album ""Rags To Rufus", the group went through some changes...

"Ron Stockert", "Al Ciner", and "Dennis Belfield" left the group, perhaps because of either the groups name change, or the new direction into "Sophisticated-Funk" (I can't prove it, but it kind of makes sense)....With that, the group (with "Andre Fischer", "Kevin Murphy" and "Chaka Khan") recruited Bassist "Bobby Watson" and Guitarist "Tony Maden"....

Done with that, the group dusted themselves off, went back in the studio and recorded and released their third album in "Rufusized"....

There was another guy on the album cover, but he was never mentioned...I guess he didn't last long (who knows!!!!)....

Now, when I was a kid (3 years old), I thought "Once You Get Started" was the only song on here..... But then I grew up, and the older I got, the better the album got!!!! "Tony Maden" and "Bobby Watson" paid immediate dividends for the group, not only in performance, but in Songwriting as well!!!!

So, with "Once You Get Started" (The 1st Ultimate Crown Jewel written by "Tony" and "Gavin Christopher"), it was a Dance Floor dream!!!! Everybody "Got Down" to this Groove, with "Chaka" and "Tony" trading Vocals on this Horn drivin' t!!! There was one real weird thing that happened though....On the 45 version of "Once You Get Started", only "Chaka's" Lead Vocal is present...I think that "ABC Records" had something to do with that!!! Good thing is that it didn't sour "Tony"!!!! He took it like a Champ!!!, and moved on (he was obviously smart and saw the bigger picture!!!!)....

The second song, and 2nd Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Somebody's Watching You" (written by "Tony", Chaka" and "Bobby Watson"), is a Super Funky dream, with roots from their "Rock Folk" sound"...See, I believe if "Ron Stockert", "Al Ciner", and "Dennis Belfield" would have stayed, they probably would have benefited from this...I'm sorry Guys, I just felt like those Guys were very good Musicians....

Anyway, the next Crown Jewel, "Pack'd My Bags" (written by "Tony" & "Chaka") was another perfect song for "Chaka" to flex her Vocals to...I honestly believe that beginning Piano vibe by "Mr. Kevin Murphy", set this t up perfectly, showing the continuity of the group....

I have no idea who "Lalomie Washburn" is or was (I will find out though), all I know is that, she wrote a heck of a song in "Your Smile"...The Music behind this one was so subtle, but smooth at the same time...It had "Tony's" swooning Guitar, behind "Kevin's" Keyboards, and beautiful Strings, conducted by the one and only "Clare Fischer" (and it was the 4th Ultimate Crown Jewel)....

The 5th Ultimate Crown Jewel Instrumental "Title Track" , was just a cool Jam Session.... I'm so glad that the group got to express their musical prowless here, continuing their pattern of continuity of the group...With a voice like "Chaka Khan", it was cool that she was able to step aside and let the fellows Get Down (even though I found out by accident that she is a heck of a Drummer!!!!)!!!!! The track also had some Monster Horns", provided by "Seawind" (I believe)....

Now I will say that "I'm A Woman (I'm A Backbone)", "Right Is Right" and "Half Moon" are not in the same class as the other songs mentioned (even though "Woman" had a powerful statement), but they don't diminish the album either...

The next Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend)" (written by "Brenda Gordon and "Brian Russell") is another fantastic Piano and Horn drivin' t, with fantastic layered Vocals by "Chaka"...This t became a "Rufus Favorite"!!!!!

The last song, and last Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Stop On By (You're Welcome)" (written by "Bobby Womack" and "Truman Thomas"), is another "Rufus Continuity" t...It has just about every element from the group, including the trade off Vocals of "Chaka" and "Tony"...The way they sound together, once again shows the continuity of the group (as you can see that was the theme for them)....I even love after the song fades initially, it comes back with just the group just going off, before the actual fade of the album....

This album was a real winner, and after its success, everyone took notice on how good the group was together..

Now, "Rufusized" started something here...

From here on out, the group really had to come with it, because, it was now what the Public expected....It would get better with ups and downs, but nobody (and I mean nobody) could deny "Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan"!!!!!!!!

PS: I made a mistake..."Your Smile" is an Ultimate. Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel as well!!!!!!!

It's time for an audiophile pressing of this one! Mofi, Acoustic Sounds, Impex or Speakers Corner. Please!!

this album gets no love? why? i will never understand ,but for chaka fans or even r and b fans this is a must have!!!!!!