Chaka Khan has the most edgy driving riff displayed when she raises her sweet voice to the sun. Not only is her vocal output very warm, but it also has color and style. With elements of honey blended with spices, she exclaims expressively and blows your mind sky high. That is why I appreciate her timbres. Whether on the solo tip, or in a group effort, I love what she can do with her voice.

Who could forget the group Rufus? In the seventies, they were that musical group that mixed elements of funk, soul, jazz, blues and rock to bring fuel to the massive. The group at that time featured Chaka Khan on lead and background vocals, Dennis Belfield on bass and background vocals, Al Cine on guitar and background vocals, André Fischer on percussion drums and background vocals, Eric Fisher on background vocals, Kevin Murphy on organ, bass, clarinet, electric bass, vocal bass and clavinet, and Rock Stockert on keys, mellotron, lead and background vocals. Together they were a canvas of colors that flowered in universal beauty.

In 1972, Rufus released their first studio album entitled Rufus. They had tunes with driving rhythms and sentimental lyrics. In their music existed a state of emotional feeling. Their songs bubbled rhythmically. From their springs of contentment, they seasoned their audience with a whole lot of soul and left an incredibly positive feeling upon the hearts of many.

When I came across the album Rufus at the store, it was like gravity pulling me to its grips to purchase it. Rufus features music with sounds as sweet as a thin slice of velvety prosciutto. Their songs are sweet to the ears with plentiful rhythms the flow with fluidity, ease and wholeness. The album is filled with life and every bit of it caught my attention.

This album was so different to me than the other Rufus albums I have heard. They were still flowing with fullness of life with lyrics that had strong and visible messages, but there was different air to them. Some songs sounded real country while others sounded like Gospel music. Yet, nothing can take away from their simmering authenticity. The truth is, their music sounded like sweet magnolias to my ears.

Rufus breaks loose and drives it on home in cordial fashion with Slip ‘N Slide over old-fashioned Gospel-like twinkling keys. It was high energy and Ron vocally pilots the mood that made me want to boogie. Keep It Coming features remnants of soul. It was harmonious and had a great melodic structure. And what can I say about the way Chaka’s strong intimate vocals rode the waves? There’s No Telling features an exciting picking frenzy by Al Ciner that my ears just loved.

Rufus did a wonderful remake of Stevie Wonder's Maybe Your Baby and added their own soul to it. Their remake is a little bit more bluesy and Chaka interprets the lead with a great expressive nature. This song was straight up funky, as are most of Stevie Wonder tunes.

My favorite tune on this album is Medley: Love The One You’re With/Set Yourself Down because of the way they just flowed with this song. I love the words. I liked the tempo and it was a song that I could relate to. Satisfied was a happy time twangy guitar tune with high energy. Hauli’ Coal featured warm thoughts of home and sounded real country.

I loved the album Rufus. It is no secret that their music can move me. I seem to be on a roll, listening to good music lately and that is always a good thing. I love this because the singing is on point; the mélange of hits features a variety show of music instead of everything sounding the same. Chaka Khan’s voice sounds young in this album, yet, it sounds the most piercingly clean that I have ever heard it. The lyrics were tasteful and the rhythms were groovy. For a first album, this was a good one and I am definitely satisfied with the listen; Great album.