Rufus

In the early '70s, Rufus was one of the most popular and interesting bands in R&B and rock. Of course, the reason was Chaka Khan, who possessed an amazing voice that was well versed in rock and jazz every bit as much as R&B. Their debut went nowhere, Rags to Rufus offered two instant classics, and Rufusized displayed their skill as album artists. Truth be told, this version of Rufus was nearly a brand-new band, as three members exited and guitarist Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson joined up. The result was a funkier and more talented band who would give Khan the needed earthy and ethereal mix that would make her soar.

Rufus has always had a deep-rooted passion for opera and has written his very first opera Prima Donna in 2009, which will now for the first time be recorded on disc! Prima Donna is slated for release on 11 September, tying in with concert performances of the opera in Europe and Asia. The 2nd album, which is on the significant release schedule, is a collection of songs based on Shakespeare sonnets, sung by Anna Prohaska, Rufus himself, and a surprise female guest star name to be announced soon

The mastery of an instrument or a musical language doesn’t necessarily mean that a musician must be frivolous in performance with displays of their masterful technique or engagement in superfluous overplaying. Sometimes it is the restraint that shows the maturity and taste of a performer. Rufus Reid and Sullivan Fortner are musicians who have the easy ability to astonish but show their class in their control.

Rufus Harley - Re-Creation of the Gods (1972) {Transparency ‎0235 rel 2006}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 294 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 104 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1972, 2006 Ankh Record / Transparency ‎| 0235
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Deep Jazz / Soul Jazz / Bagpipes

This is bagpiper Rufus Harley's finest moment. All the songs on this disc were written by the man himself. All are loosely related in an Eastern spiritual vein, and the man plays them like he means it, like his own offering to God. Contemporaries like Pharoah Sanders or Archie Shepp had introduced a lot of Middle Eastern instruments to jazz listeners. Heard in that context, the hissing overtones of the bagpipes really aren't all that jarring. This record would have fit nicely among the offerings from such labels as Strata East or BYG.