Sealed LP: Rufus: Ask Rufus

Description: Rufus Ask Rufus FACTORY SEALED LP Format: Sealed Album Country: U.S.A. Record Company & Release Number: ABC Records: AB-975 Original release date: 1977 Bar Code: NONE Condition of the cover: Mint Condition of this sealed album: Sealed - Assumed Mint My inventory number: 209608A Shipping Weight: 1 pounds, 3 ounces Notes: This Sealed Album came from a record store in Allentown, Pennsylvania called "Phantasmagoria" which went out of business in 1978. I purchased most of their unsold inventory several years later when I owned "Music Madness" - a new & used record store in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Since this Sealed Album was part of Phantasmagoria's inventory when they closed in 1978, it cannot be any newer than a 1978 pressing. Being a Sealed Album, I cannot tell specifically what pressing it is prior to 1978. In some cases, hype stickers might help to determine if it is a first pressing, but I cannot be any more specific. Phantasmagoria used round colored stickers to indicate the price of their inventory. They had a sign on the wall with the color sticker combinations for the customers to use so they knew the price of what they were purchasing. Some of the Sealed Albums still have these stickers on them, and in some rare cases, the stickers are written on. Some of the Sealed Albums have prices on them. This is the price you would have paid for this Sealed Album in 1978 if you had bought it at Phantasmagoria. If this Sealed Album has a price on it, please don't confuse the price with the current value for this Sealed Album. Gatefold cover. Please contact me if you have any difficulty viewing the photos. All pictures are of the exact item being sold. The pictures shown below supersede any written description of this item. Songs At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)Close the DoorMedley: Slow Screw Against the Wall/A Flat FryEarth SongEverlasting LoveHollywoodMagic in Your EyesBetter DaysEgyptian Song Credits Tony Maiden: Guitar, VocalsKevin Murphy: Keyboards, VocalsGary Starr: EngineerDavid Wolinski "Hawk": Keyboards, VocalsRufus & Chaka Khan: PerformerBobby Watson: Bass, VocalsChaka Khan: Vocals, PerformerClare Fischer: Arranger, ConductorAndré Fischer: Drums, VocalsCharles Garnett: ArrangerMilt Holland: PercussionRufus: Producer, Main PerformerRon Wood: Guitar Album Review for "Ask Rufus" Rufus was one of the most respected groups in the '7s and '80s. Although lead singer Chaka Khan's charismatic vocals were their drawing card, few outfits boasted the skill as Rufus as a band. Songs like "Please Pardon Me," "Sweet Thing," and "Fool's Paradise" are a few of the tracks that displayed the perfect marriage. This 1977 effort is the follow-up to 1975's Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. Ask Rufus has the group doing more sophisticated and constantly challenging work with an accent on evocative ballads. The effort's lone dance track "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up) has the band going for more subtlety. The jazzy "Close the Door" has a confident and gentle vocal from Khan and a beautiful string arrangement from Clare Fischer who offered them throughout this effort. The well-arranged "Earth Song" could be called botched poesy with lyrics like, "Stars what a mystical woman that you've made me," but Khan's charm keeps it from being an overstatement. The best track, the evocative and sensual "Everlasting Love" has great bass and guitar interplay from Bobby Watson and Tony Maiden, respectively, and an appealing earthy and ethereal vocal from Khan. The much loved "Hollywood" has just gotten stronger, with lines like, "Fixed expressions/Smiles worn thin" exhibiting a surprising and apropos world-weary view. The most ambitious song, the evocative "Egyptian Song," has Middle Eastern motifs and a compelling vocal from Khan that pulls it all together. With great keyboard signatures from Kevin Murphy and David "Hawk" Wolinski and Andre Fischer's steady and judicious drumming, Ask Rufus is one of their best albums. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide Rufus biography by Steve Huey One of the most commercially successful funk groups of the '70s, the multi-racial Rufus are today best remembered for launching the career of soul diva Chaka Khan, whose fiery lead vocals were easily the band's focal point. Powered by Khan -- who was eventually billed in addition to the group -- and an unerring sense of groove, Rufus scored an impressive string of hit singles on both the pop and R&B charts, which lasted through the '70s and up to Khan's official departure in 1983. Rufus grew out of the Chicago band the American Breed, which had a hit in 1968 with the oldies-radio staple "Bend Me, Shape Me." Guitarist Al Ciner, bassist Chuck Colbert, drummer Lee Graziano, and keyboardist Kevin Murphy had all played in the band at one time or another before forming a new group, originally called Smoke, with vocalists Paulette McWilliams and James Stella. Stella was quickly replaced by lead vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist Ron Stockert, and Colbert by bassist Dennis Belfield; the group changed its name to Ask Rufus, which was later shortened to Rufus. In 1972, drummer Andre Fischer -- another former American Breed member -- replaced Graziano, and a young female vocalist named Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens) replaced McWilliams. Although Khan's dynamic stage presence helped this version of the band take off, Stockert was still the guiding force when they signed with ABC in 1973, and he lent a more pop/rock flavor to the group's self-titled debut, released later that year. Although the album sold poorly, Rufus gained a fan in Stevie Wonder thanks to their cover of his "Maybe Your Baby." Wonder gave them a new composition, the slowly grinding "Tell Me Something Good," that he'd written specifically with Khan's vocal style in mind. Pulled as a single from their second album, 1974's Rags to Rufus, "Tell Me Something Good" was a Top Five smash that turned Khan into a star; she also co-wrote the R&B chart-topping follow-up, "You Got the Love." Clearly, the band had found its niche, and a number of personnel shifts ensued: Stockert left, Belfield was replaced by Bobby Watson, and Ciner was replaced by Tony Maiden. Their funk sensibility thus bolstered, Rufus returned with a strong new album before year's end, Rufusized, which spawned two more hits in "Once You Get Started" and "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend)." The billing on 1975's Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan made the singer's star power official, and produced one of the group's biggest hits in the R&B number one "Sweet Thing." Dave "Hawk" Wolinski joined as a second keyboardist for 1977's mellower Ask Rufus (the hit was "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)"), and William "Moon" Calhoun replaced drummer Fischer on 1978's Street Player. Following the release of Street Player, Khan made what was perhaps an inevitable move into solo recording with the release of her debut, Chaka; despite scoring a significant hit with "I'm Every Woman," she remained an official member of Rufus. Still, the band's next album, Numbers, was recorded without her, and upon its release in 1979, it stiffed. Khan was back on board later that year for Masterjam, produced by Quincy Jones, and the band (featuring new drummer John "J.R." Robinson) was back on top of the R&B charts with "Do You Love What You Feel." However, Khan split again for 1980's Party 'Til You're Broke, and although she returned for 1981's Camouflage, Rufus' chart fortunes were slipping away. The George Duke-produced, Khan-less Seal in Red bombed, but Khan returned for one last go-round on 1983's Stompin' at the Savoy, a double-record set featuring three sides of live material and one side of new studio recordings. One of those new songs, "Ain't Nobody," became Rufus' final number one R&B hit, and also won a Grammy, allowing the group to end its career on a high note. Her contract up, Khan finally left for good afterwards and became a superstar thanks to a cover of Prince's "I Feel for You." This sealed album is being sold as a collector's item and cannot be returned due to manufacturer's defects. It may be almost impossible to replace many of the sealed albums I am selling. If I am aware of any defects, I will list it in the notes and pictures above. I always leave feedback before your item ships. Please consider leaving feedback for me after you have had a chance to inspect and enjoy your purchase. Please avoid questions on the last day of the listing. I might not have enough time to give you an answer before the it ends. All album reviews, credits and artist biographies are from AllMusic Guide. If you haven't been to their web site, you should check it out. It's one of the most comprehensive music references on the internet. In some cases, credits may include reissue (CD) information. Obviously any credits referenced to CDs might not apply to this release. SHIPPING If you have any special shipping requirements (extra padding, oversized boxes, etc.) you must let me know BEFORE making your payment. The cost of shipping is based my standard packaging (new boxes, padded envelopes, etc.). If you make a request for special shipping requirements during or after making your payment, I will refund your purchase and relist the item(s). You can bid on them again and then I will send you a revised invoice. I will do my best to accommodate any request as long as you are willing to pay accordingly. USA (Domestic) Shipping and pick-up If your invoice does not include combined shipping, please send a request for an updated invoice. Your item(s) will be shipped within 2 business days after I receive your cleared payment. When possible, I try to ship the same day your payment clears. Local pick-up is fine with me. Contact me before making your payment to setup a time and place that is convenient for the both of us. There are no postage or handling fees for pick-up. International Shipping If you purchase multiple items, please wait until you've made all your purchases so I can send you an invoice with your correct postage. The buyer is responsible for all customs regulations and fees in their own country. If the total weight of your package is 4 pounds or more, the Post Office requires it must be shipped by International Priority Mail. This is their policy, not mine. If it helps, I can try to calculate First Class postage for multiple shipments, but it usually ends up cheaper sending everything in one box by Priority.

Price: 37.5 USD

Location: Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-12-11T16:26:02.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.38 USD