Rufus John has a new approach to old soul. He has taken the best of two worlds, the edginess of todays music and the steadfast emotion of Motown, and brought them together. The result is a funky, fresh sound layered over an old soul backdrop, a slick fusion that can only be described as undeniable.Early in his career, Rufus was the charismatic front man for The Motor Booty Affair, a Kitchener-Waterloo band that reinterpreted cover songs from a funk/soul perspective. He also participated in the televised nation-wide talent search Popstars 2 and made it to the top 15. In a defining moment of his singing career, he left the show to pursue his solo act.On his upcoming EP, Rufus has concocted a mix that he says is only for grown folks. Into the pot he has thrown gospel, hip hop, funk, jazz and latin, a meld of many flavours that sizzle into one good, solid heaping helping of soul food. All of this, smothered with smooth, creamy vocals.Rufus wrote and co-produced all of the songs on the EP, working with Gary McAuley, of the Juno nominee group the McAuley Boys, and a band called Bumpsquad which includes Adam Bowman, the drummer for Ember Swift. Collaborating with a band allowed Rufus to give the project a live instrumentation feel. Dub J, who has worked with Bishop, Brassmunk and Elephant Man, Andrew Ang who has worked with Troy Bynoe and Andrea Desiree and Slakah the Beatchild who has worked with Jully Black, Choclair and Faith Walker also contributed to the EP.For Rufus, writing songs is therapeutic, and the personal stamp he puts on his music shows in the diversity of his subject matter. The Reason is a heartfelt ode to his mother for the hardships she endured raising three children on her own. Got To Be Real is about finding the courage to move on from an ailing relationship. And, of course, what would be a soul album without the classic lovemaking track found in Feel Ur Body?
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