1979 Rufus – Numbers
Numbers is the seventh studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1978. It was the band’s first album without Chaka Khan on lead vocals. Instead, band members Tony Maiden and David “Hawk” Wolinski shared lead vocal duties, with additional female leads by Helen Lowe and Maxayne. The album reached #15 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, #81 on Pop and included the single release “Keep It Together (Declaration of Love)” (US R&B #16).
Khan returned to the band for the recording of the following album Masterjam, produced by Quincy Jones.
Numbers would be Rufus’ final album on ABC Records. The label would be purchased and subsequently dissolved by MCA Records, and the band transferred to its roster.
Numbers also marked the debut of drummer John “J.R.” Robinson to the lineup. He would remain Rufus’s drummer for the rest of their run.
Tracks
1 Ain’t Nobody Like You (Elainea Robbins, Tony Maiden) 4:26
2 You’re To Blame (David Wolinski) 3:48
3 Keep It Together (Declaration Of Love) (Allen Toussaint) 4:10
4 Dancin’ Mood (David Wolinski) 3:52
5 Red Hot Poker (Bobby Watson) 4:30
6 Don’t You Sit Alone (David Wolinski) 4:38
7 Bet My Dreams (David Wolinski) 5:05
8 Pleasure Dome (Elainea Robbins, Tony Maiden) 4:08
9 Are We (David Wolinski) 3:28
10 Life In The City (Bobby Watson) 4:50
Biography
Musicians
| Bass | Bobby Watson |
| Drums | JR Robinson |
| Guitar | Bobby Watson |
| Guitar | Tony Maiden |
| Guitar | David Wolinski |
| Guitar | Richard Mikuls |
| Clavinet | Bobby Watson |
| Clavinet | Tony Maiden |
| Keyboards | Kevin Murphy |
| Keyboards | David Wolinski |
| Flute | Bob Greve |
| Flute | Chuck Brooke |
| Sax | Bob Greve |
| Sax | Chuck Brooke |
| Trombone | John Ervin |
| Trombone | Bill Lamb |
| Trombone | Dave Grover |
| Trumpet | Bill Lamb |
| Trumpet | Dave Grover |
| Strings | Ernie Freeman |
| Percussion | Everett Bryson |
| Percussion | JR Robinson |
| Background Vocals | Helen Lowe |
| Background Vocals | LaLomie Washburn |
| Background Vocals | Maxayn Lewis |
| Background Vocals | Tony Maiden |
| Background Vocals | David Wolinski |
Other Musicians
1 Ain’t Nobody Like You
| Vocals | Helen Lowe |
| Vocals | Tony Maiden |
2 You’re To Blame
| Vocals | David Wolinski |
3 Keep It Together (Declaration Of Love)
| Piano | Truman Thomas |
| Vocals | Tony Maiden |
4 Dancin’ Mood
| Vocals | Rufus |
6 Don’t You Sit Alone
| Vocals | David Wolinski |
7 Bet My Dreams
| Trumpet | Freddie Hubbard |
| Vocals | Tony Maiden |
8 Pleasure Dome
| Drums | Harvey Mason Sr |
| Vocals | Tony Maiden |
9 Are We
| Vocals | David Wolinski |
| Vocals | Maxayn Lewis |
10 Life In The City
| Vocals | Tony Maiden |
Liner Notes
Engineer – Roy Halee
Mastered By – Allen Zentz
Mixed By – Rufus, Roy Halee
Recorded By – Thom Wilson
Art Direction – Stuart Kusher
Design – Rod Dyer Inc, Vartan Kurjian
Photography – Larry Du Pont, Ed Caraeff
Mastered At – Allen Zentz Mastering
Mixed At – ABC Recording Studios
Recorded At – Dawnbreaker Studios
Phonographic Copyright ABC Records Inc
Copyright ABC Records Inc