oktober 20, 2025

Published oktober 20, 2025 by ad-vinylrecords with 0 comment

David Ruffin - Who I Am (1975) (vinyl Lp) - €5,00

posted by ad-vinylrecords

David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin; January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (1964–1968) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. 
Ruffin was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." He later scored two top 10 singles as a solo artist, "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" and "Walk Away from Love."
Known for his unique raspy and anguished tenor vocals, Ruffin was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2008.
Who I Am is a 1975 album from the former Temptations singer, David Ruffin. Recorded by Van McCoy who produced and arranged the album at Mediasound Studios in New York City. The album provided Ruffin with the biggest hit of his solo career, "Walk Away From Love".

On "Who I Am" (1975) former Temptations' vocalist David Ruffin joins forces with the multi-talented Van McCoy. 
McCoy -- who produced and arranged the album -- was a hot commodity thanks to his disco hit "The Hustle." 
Although Motown had relocated to Los Angeles, Ruffin and McCoy brought the project to New York City and availed themselves of the finest studio musicians that the Big Apple had to offer: Richard Tee (keyboards), Eric Gale (guitar), Hugh McCracken (guitar), and Steve Gadd (drums), just to mention a few. 
The opening midtempo title composition sets the pace and establishes the prevalent dance-centric nature. 
"It Takes All Kinds of People to Make a World" continues in the same four-on-the-four rhythmic vein with the McCoy-directed string section. 
Ruffin's "Walk Away from Love" -- which actually made it all the way to the number one slot on the R&B Singles survey -- bears an easygoing boogie enhanced by typical string and horn punctuations. 
Ruffin's begging lead vocals are reminders of his once golden throat. 
"I've Got Nothing but Time" and the light and lively "Finger Pointers" stand out as two of the catchier selections on the album, the latter soaking up every McCoy element in the book -- syrupy strings, a pulsating groove, and enough of a syncopated melody to hook even the most jaded listener. 
The slightly Eastern-flavored arrangement on "Wild Honey" provides a bit of much needed stylistic variety -- although it doesn't stray too far -- while "Heavy Love" is essentially structured as if remaking "The Hustle." 
No wonder it climbed into the upper reaches of the R&B countdown. "Statue of a Fool" proves that Ruffin can still churn out a heartfelt ballad. Granted his delivery doesn't have the gut-check realism that informed the best of his Temptations' and first couple of solo sides, however it is suitably matched to the half-hearted material. 
Who I Am concludes on an up note with the funky and driving "Love Can Be Hazardous to Your Health." 
Ruffin manages to coax out a few of his vintage tonsil-grinding growls as he pleads for the listener to "...beware...beware...beware" before instigating a lyrical call-and-response.


Side one
1. Who I Am - 4:01
2. It Takes All Kinds Of People To Make A World - 4:25
3. Walk Away From Love - 5:30
4. I’ve Got Nothing But Time - 3:23
5. The Finger Pointers - 3:27

Side two
1. Wild Honey - 4:46
2. Heavy Love - 4:51
3. Statue Of A Fool - 4:25
4. Love Can Be Hazardous To Your Health - 4:59


Companies, etc.
Credits

Notes
Release: 1975
Format:  LP, Vinyl
Pressed:  US
Label:  Motown
Catalog#  M6-849-S1

Vinyl:  Goed (VG)
Cover:  Goed (G) (Inkeep linksboven)

Prijs: €5,00

0 comments:

Een reactie posten

Abonneren op: Reacties posten (Atom)