Rags to Rufus

Rufus (Artist), Chaka Khan (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002PER
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,083 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: RUFUS
Title: RAGS TO RUFUS
Street Release Date: 04/10/1990
Domestic
Genre: SOUL/R & B

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential R&B/funk/70s album; only Aretha could rival Chaka, June 11, 2001

By 

C. Heinrich "wsidechris" (Oyster Bay, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rags to Rufus (Audio CD)

I don't know all of the Rufus albums well yet, but so far I think this is most jaw-droppingly great. The whole album just reeks of sweat and soul. Chaka Khan shows us that she is possibly the only woman that could give Aretha Franklin a run for her money in the R&B arena of the 1970s. But all credit certainly doesn't go to Chaka; everyone is great here. The arrangements, grooves, and everything else all click. This album is truly a masterpiece. With all due respect to hip hop America (which I am not at all a part of), they don't know diddley about music. It's all electronic, programmed, emotionless, and over-produced. Take one listen to this and you'll cringe the next time you hear fake beats boom their way out of electronic keyboards. This band had saxes, horns, drums, piano, synthesizers (used sparingly), funky guitars, a real bass, and, well, Chaka. These instruments all worked together to create something very special, very rare, and downright sublime.

You can't go wrong with this album. My favorite track is the gorgeous "Walkin' In The Sun", which is really more of a ballad, but is a powerfully funky one (thanks to Ms. Khan). But the whole album rocks.

Don't hesitate to get this one. It will blow you away.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album is a classic., August 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rags to Rufus (Audio CD)

This album showcased Chaka's amazing vocals and set the stage for a vocal technique that only Aretha could touch. Most of Rufus/Chaka Khan's songs start out with her singing in the low or medium registers; then at the end every song she lets loose to the highest octave she could reach. On Rags to Rufus, listen to "Smokin Room," "In Love We Grow," and "You've Got The Love." Chaka Khan has the ability to sing rock, soul, and jazz without breaking a sweat. The producer of this album, Bob Monaco, went on to produce Three Dog Night and Tina Turner. Dennis Belfield, Ron Stockart, and Al Ciner left the group after this album but the all continued to produce and play on a variety of artists'albums.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rags to Rufus ~Rufus & Chaka Khan, September 19, 2005

By 

Pamela Smith "Music lover" (Pensacola, Fl. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rags to Rufus (Audio CD)

Wow! It is still a great CD after all these years! I first had this on 8 track and then album. Now, I have it on CD and love listening to it every chance I get. Also, my kids get to listen to great music with me!!! They now know what good music sounds like.