Search - Rufus, Chaka Khan :: Camouflage

Camouflage Stands Out !

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 06/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Critics and reviewers who have given this obscure and once out of print Rufus & Chaka Khan title only 4 stars or less are correct about one thing; There were no major or memorable standout tracks from Camouflage. Even I did not know this '81 title existed until I came across it as a used record at a music store a couple of years ago. It occurred to me while listening to this newly remastered Japanese import cd the other night that the first three high energy R&B funk tracks almost play like a musical suite set on auto pilot(Better Together, Jigsaw, Secret Friend).By the fourth track Music Man (The D.J. Song)you would hope for something of a slower tempo to cool things down.This of course happens on the fifth track True Love as a slow dance ballad. As the mastering or recording engineer I would have swapped these last two tracks around mentioned to play out a much smoother sequence...Is this good or bad? I dunno cause the music, and the vocals contain that old skool infectious toe tappin' funk I miss from the late 70's and early 80's (before rap and hip hop would dominate the airwaves and music video channels) !Infectious grooves, thumpin' bass, catchy melodic hooks and Khan's unique and soulful vocals are what saves this project from complete oblivion. The title Camouflage almost plays up to it's prophetic name for it truly was hidden due to lack of proper promotion, airplay and sales back in 1981. But listen carefully and Camouflage serves as a prelude to Rufus & Khan's double live album masterpiece Stompin' At The Savoy's single Ain't Nobody. It also serves as a precursor to Chaka's solo smash from 1984 I Feel For You album. Khan's vocals at times sound a bit polished or "studio" controlled on Camouflage but one can still feel the artistic vibe and energy.Ditto with the performance by Rufus ! This may be a biased 5 stars I am giving Camouflage, but it is because I am an old skool R&B/Funk fan and this is Rufus and Chaka's official last full length studio album collaboration together. It's almost historical...True, die hard fans of either Rufus & Chaka or old R&B/funk or both in general will treasure this. The new cd quality of this twenty-some year recording is phenomenal and still maintains that "warm" musical sound almost memorable of the vinyl version (minus the pops, ticks and clicks of the record). While the cd paper slip case cover and inside plastic cd protector and inner picture jacket of the band are excellent replicas of the original vinyl version, you will not want to just slip this between other plastic jeweled boxed cd's in your collection.You'll have a very tough time finding it. Some will not care too much for this cardboard approach to the cd's packaging;it only serves as a nostalgic feel...But the forgiveness or reward is found in the material or music !"

5 stars for the remaster 4 cause its rufus 3 for the cd

sonjam | Irving, Tx United States | 04/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's telling that this is the only Rufus cd not to be released in the US. This was clearly a band at the end of its road. The songs are pedestrian at best and though the band generates some heat on a few cuts, "Music Man", "Better Together" and "Highlight" are as close as this set gets to the old Rufus we knew and loved. Chaka is her usual powerhouse self, especially on "Losers in Love". You can hear the desperation in her vocals, clearly she is singing from experience on this one.
The band is good but sound a little too polished, not unlike Earth, Wind and Fire and Kool and the Gang began to sound around the same time. The 80's and early 90's were not kind to funk bands who seemed to be afflicted with "solo-itis". Everybody wanted their cake, and lots of them fell apart during those years. Rufus would go on to release an amazing live cd, but this set would be the end for my favorite band."

THE WAIT IS OVER

B. Laure'l | Washington, D.C. United States | 04/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A few of my friends-all Rufus&Chaka Khan fans-have been patiently awaiting the arrival of this rare gem and now "the wait is over." If you are true die-hard fans of this group, then this CD is a must have for your collection. Just listening to the tracks have taken me back to my high school years. "Quandary" is by far my favorite track, but can't help but tap my feet to the upbeat "Lilah" and "Highlight." And even though this was to be the very last full studio collaboration for the group(a sad day in itself)those of us who remember the times and the music can be grateful that we once again have the chance to embrace and relive one of the greatest R&B/funk groups there ever was."