LP Review: Ask Rufus
Released: 1977
LP Charts: #1 R&B (3 weeks); #12 pop
Ask Rufus is the album where Rufus definitively stopped being a funk-rock band and even began strongly distancing itself from funk. Rufus featuring Chaka Khan strongly hinted at this impending turn (specifically the songs “Sweet Thing” and “Little Boy Blue”), but man Ask Rufus is really curveball for anyone hoping they could still turn out a “You Got the Love” or “Once You Get Started”.
Ask Rufus really digs deep into a mix of soul and moody funk dashed with the pretensions fusion jazz. This album also marked the entrance of David “Hawk” Wolinski into the band. A coincidence? Me thinks not!
AS THE RUFUS TURNS (where we keep track of band members)
Kevin Murphy (keyboards)
Chaka Khan (vocals)
Tony Maiden (guitar and vocals)
Bobby Watson (bass)
André Fischer (drums)
David “Hawk” Wolinski (keyboards and vocals)
“At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)” (#1 R&B, #30 pop) simultaneously gives false impressions and accurate portrayals. It is an uptempo dance track with loud (almost symphonic) horns and hammering piano. On the song’s outro the drummer goes out of control just tearing shit up. Nowhere else on the album do you get that kind of danceable energy, so there’s your false impression.
“At Midnight” does have a a cacophony of layered backing vocals and a real brooding menace to its sound. That is accurate for the rest of this album.
“Close the Door” and “Earth Song” continue down that latter musical line established by “At Midnight”. Lots of contemplative and/or quiet moments.
“Everlasting Love” (#17 R&B) is easily the sexiest song here with a reggae inspired groove. It also strolls dangerously close into the light of religion, which any great soul song should. And this is indeed a great soul song as its repetition brings about ecstasy instead of boredom.
I imagine that “Hollywood” (#3 R&B, #32 pop) was the intended crossover hit for this album. It obviously did great on the R&B charts. However, it only did okay on the pop side despite the fact it belongs firmly in the realm of Yacht music. Perhaps the lyrics about LA were just too cynical (“everybody makes believe in Hollywood”). Anyhoo, gotta give it up for Tony Maiden’s tasty, understated guitar licks throughout the song.
“Magic In Your Eyes” is beautifully sedate with multi-tracked Chaka Khan singing her own backup vocals. “Better Days” is the only song besides “At Midnight” I’d classify as straight-up funk even if it’s still svelte.
The finale is “Egyptian Song” which is absolutely pretentious. I can’t believe I don’t hate it, but the string arrangements and Chaka’s voice do enough to make you ignore (or at least excuse) the pompousness of it all.
ALBUM GRADE: A-
An excellent bounce back to greatness after the alright Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.
Song Scores
At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up): 8/10
Close the Door: 8/10
Slow Screw Against the Wall/A Flat Fry: 7/10
Earth Song: 8/10
Everlasting Love: 8.5/10
Hollywood: 7.5/10
Magic In Your Eyes: 7.5/10
Better Days: 7/10
Egyptian Song: 7.5/10