Rufus & Chaka Khan - Street Player

Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s 6th Studio Album “Street Player” Originally Released on January 17, 1978.

Street Player is the sixth studio album by funk band Rufus (featuring singer Chaka Khan), released on the ABC Records label in 1978.

The album peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart and at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart.

Two songs were released from the album Stay and Blue Love.

Stay peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Songs chart and at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Blue love reached #34 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and at #105 barely making the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1978, Rufus and Chaka Khan were a top-selling band. Their last four releases had gone platinum and the group continued to sell out in arenas as a headlining act with fiery Khan leading the way. By this point, Khan's stardom outside the group had grown and it led to the group drifting apart. While Khan opted to stay a member of the group, other members were uncomfortable that Khan was now offered solo contracts.

After the release of this record, Khan would sign a solo deal with Warner Bros. Records releasing her debut album, featuring the hit, "I'm Every Woman". While Khan went on to a solo career, Rufus cut Numbers, in 1979, without her. Khan, however, didn't leave the group, returning for their Quincy Jones-produced Masterjam later that same year.

Also after the departure of original drummer Andre Fischer, Richard "Moon" Calhoun took over on this album on drums. This would be his only album with the group. Additionally, the jazz/rock band Chicago featured a version of the title track on their 1979 album Chicago 13, with Peter Cetera on lead vocals. The song was co-written by Chicago's drummer at that time, Danny Seraphine. The track "Stay" was later covered by Erykah Badu on her 1997 album Live as well as performing on the Fox crime drama New York Undercover episode "Vendetta", first aired on April 24, 1997.

Tracklisting

1. Street Player

2. Stay

3. Turn

4. Best Of Your Heart

5. Finale

6. Blue Love

7. Stranger To Love

8. Take Time (Instrumental)

9. Destiny

10. Change Your Ways

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology