After its release, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan repeated the success of the band's previous two albums, going gold (later platinum) with sales of one million copies in the United States. Khan brought lyrics for three compositions including what became one of Rufus' biggest hits, the ballad ' Sweet Thing', which Khan and Maiden co-wrote together. Tony Maiden, who had joined the group in mid-1974, also wrote more for the album. Unlike their three previous albums, they only recorded one cover version - The Bee Gees' ' Jive Talkin'', while other songs were handled by group members and outside collaborators including, most notably, Gavin Christopher. As they entered the studio to record their fourth album, Khan and Rufus remained a collaborative group together. Khan also handled all the talk in interviews for the group and she was given solo covers on magazines such as Jet and EBONY. On the cover, an animated cover of lips, which appeared to emulate Khan's, gave the impression that Khan was the dominant member of the group. For example, on the album's back cover and inner sleeve, Khan is featured with her trademark hair and outfits, sitting on a lips-decorated couch. Khan's popularity was starting to usurp that of her bandmates. While they were just known as Rufus on their first two releases, after the success of ' Tell Me Something Good', the media (and Rufus' label at the time, ABC Records) had recognized that Khan was the attraction of the group. With their successful mixing of funk, rock, soul and jazz and the powerful vocals of 22-year-old Khan, the group had set themselves apart from similar groups such as The Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind & Fire. It remained on top of the R&B album chart for six consecutive weeks.īy 1975, Rufus and lead front woman Chaka Khan had become one of the most popular bands in popular music.

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan is the gold-selling fourth studio album by the funk band Rufus and Chaka Khan, released on the ABC Records label in 1975.

Rufus chaka khan