Rufus & Chaka Khan: Rags To Rufus [STRONGLY FELT]

Why you'll love it

Back on vinyl, this is the album that made Chaka Khan a star. It hit number 4 on both the pop and R&B album charts, "Tell Me Something Good" (written by Stevie Wonder) won the band a Grammy, and "You Got The Love", co-written by Khan and Ray Parker Jr., went to number 1 R&B.

This edition

• Back on vinyl
• Eleven tracks, as on the 1974 LP

About the album

Rufus's 1973 debut had shared the lead vocals around, but the songs that caught ears were the ones Chaka Khan sang, and ABC Records took the hint. On Rags To Rufus she's front and centre, and the Chicago band behind her locks into a tough, slinky funk that still sounds fresh. Stevie Wonder handed them "Tell Me Something Good", all talkbox and slow-strutting groove, and it went to number 3 pop.

"You Got The Love", written by Khan with a young Ray Parker Jr., went one better on the R&B chart, and the rest of the record keeps pace, from "Walkin' In The Sun" to their funky gospel workout "Swing Down Chariot". In 1975 "Tell Me Something Good" won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. Not bad for a band with "Rags" in the title.

Tracklist

Listen

Out October 2, 2026 on Strongly Felt (cat# SF74012), a reissue of the 1974 album.