Wanna love ya, wanna hug ya, wanna squeeze ya too
Everybody who tunes into the ramblings of A Story To tell will undoubtedly be a fan of at least some of Chaka Khan’s work. The massive touch points of a brilliant career are of course the definitive cover of Prince’s “I Feel For You” featuring Melle Mel in a rap soul crossover smash, and the still incredible “Ain’t Nobody” her last hit alongside Rufus, the band that catapulted her to fame in the first place. And it is her work with this most funky of outfits that I wanted to dwell on briefly here as it seems to me that Rufus are a band whose reputation in the annals of music history , not to mention incredible output, has been slightly over-shadowed by the subsequent success of their erstwhile vocalist.
Not the first or last time that an inevitable solo career will over-take the group that spawned it of course, but Rufus are certainly one of those groups who represent far greater than a mere springboard to success for a particularly talented lead singer. Rather, they were to my mind one of the very best bands of the 1970s, with a superbly gifted front woman no doubt, but with component parts that more than matched her.
Rufus’ catalogue, from beginnings pre-Chaka at the very end of the 1960s, through to their final disbandment in 1983 following the huge success of “Ain’t Nobody” and inevitable migration to solo stardom of Ms Khan, is genuinely excellent. The brand of soul and funk from Rufus was one of the most commercially successful of any within that genre throughout the 1970s, spawning a run of massive hit singles, and is as varied and powerful as many more feted groups from their era. From super-charged and stomping funk workouts to tender balladeering, from straight up soul to rock-infused grooves, this band could do it all, and often driven by that most powerful of instruments, the sheer fireball of Chaka Khan’s vocal prowess.
And it is this variety that provides reason after reason for re-visiting their back catalogue, a real trove of excellence. You can dive in at any point in the 1970s and find satisfaction, but the record that I have been rocking recently is 1977’s “Ask Rufus”, the mellowest of all their efforts, and a record that simply invites you in for a lazily wonderful swim in its warm waters. It features one of my favourite songs in the rich tapestry of “Magic in Your Eyes”, a beautiful and multi-layered song that lulls you into deep relaxation with its sumptuous strings and enveloping keyboards, not to mention a beautiful performance from Khan. The chorus is wonderful, the vocals and keys challenging each other to real heights. Never a spectacular show-stopper, it is simply a slow-burner that just melts me every time.
The only real up-tempo number is opener “At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)”, an eminently catchy tune that boasts a ridiculous bass slap throughout, and demonstrates just how tight Rufus were. Tighter than tight. But it is on the rest of the album that this exemplary musicianship also gives rise to some really sophisticated work, with jazzy fringes, and mature textured constructions.
This is a really coherent album, a piece that you listen to in entirety as opposed to their previous work which were much more singles led. Chaka Khan sings wonderfully throughout, tender and soft in places, powerful and raw at others, but always demonstrating her impeccable control. There are few weak points and while the sometimes lush sound and contemplative subject matter may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is an album that is ideal for sensual moments or long relaxing listens when in a more wistful mood.
Check the drums on the beautiful “Close the Door”, the merging of synch and vocals on “Better Days”, the interplay of bass and lead guitar on the exceptional “Everlasting Love”, the prescient sentiment and brilliant melodies expressed on “Hollywood”. All great tracks, and the perfect ingredients for a quiet storm of mellow funky soul. Ain’t nobody better, just ask Rufus.
Not the first or last time that an inevitable solo career will over-take the group that spawned it of course, but Rufus are certainly one of those groups who represent far greater than a mere springboard to success for a particularly talented lead singer. Rather, they were to my mind one of the very best bands of the 1970s, with a superbly gifted front woman no doubt, but with component parts that more than matched her.
Rufus’ catalogue, from beginnings pre-Chaka at the very end of the 1960s, through to their final disbandment in 1983 following the huge success of “Ain’t Nobody” and inevitable migration to solo stardom of Ms Khan, is genuinely excellent. The brand of soul and funk from Rufus was one of the most commercially successful of any within that genre throughout the 1970s, spawning a run of massive hit singles, and is as varied and powerful as many more feted groups from their era. From super-charged and stomping funk workouts to tender balladeering, from straight up soul to rock-infused grooves, this band could do it all, and often driven by that most powerful of instruments, the sheer fireball of Chaka Khan’s vocal prowess.
And it is this variety that provides reason after reason for re-visiting their back catalogue, a real trove of excellence. You can dive in at any point in the 1970s and find satisfaction, but the record that I have been rocking recently is 1977’s “Ask Rufus”, the mellowest of all their efforts, and a record that simply invites you in for a lazily wonderful swim in its warm waters. It features one of my favourite songs in the rich tapestry of “Magic in Your Eyes”, a beautiful and multi-layered song that lulls you into deep relaxation with its sumptuous strings and enveloping keyboards, not to mention a beautiful performance from Khan. The chorus is wonderful, the vocals and keys challenging each other to real heights. Never a spectacular show-stopper, it is simply a slow-burner that just melts me every time.
The only real up-tempo number is opener “At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)”, an eminently catchy tune that boasts a ridiculous bass slap throughout, and demonstrates just how tight Rufus were. Tighter than tight. But it is on the rest of the album that this exemplary musicianship also gives rise to some really sophisticated work, with jazzy fringes, and mature textured constructions.
This is a really coherent album, a piece that you listen to in entirety as opposed to their previous work which were much more singles led. Chaka Khan sings wonderfully throughout, tender and soft in places, powerful and raw at others, but always demonstrating her impeccable control. There are few weak points and while the sometimes lush sound and contemplative subject matter may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is an album that is ideal for sensual moments or long relaxing listens when in a more wistful mood.
Check the drums on the beautiful “Close the Door”, the merging of synch and vocals on “Better Days”, the interplay of bass and lead guitar on the exceptional “Everlasting Love”, the prescient sentiment and brilliant melodies expressed on “Hollywood”. All great tracks, and the perfect ingredients for a quiet storm of mellow funky soul. Ain’t nobody better, just ask Rufus.
posted by Twelve Bar at 3:37 AM
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