Michael Ruff / Once In A Lifetime

Michael Ruff was born in Saltlake City on 20 December, 1958. He released this album "Once In A Lifetime" in 1984 distributed by Warner Bros, USA as his first solo debut album. In late 1970’s, Ruff spent several years in Woodstock playing with with members of the Orleans, Paul Butterfield and David Sanborn, then moved to New York City where he came across Randy Vanwarmer and played keyboards on Wanwarmer’s 1980 second album “Terraform”. Ruff also joined to the recording sessions for Beckmeir Brothers, a funk band led by Freddie (a former member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band) and Stevie Beckmeier in Los Angeles.

Before releasing solo debut album, Ruff was touring with Ricky Lee Jones in 1982 / 1983 as the musical director for the “Pirates Tour”, and then touring with Chaka Kahn in 1984. Ruff’s demos recorded with Brenda Russell was brought to Tommy LiPuma and finally resulted to be a recording artist of Warner Bros. Records.
His music is basically based on Jazz, R&B, Blues and pop music. Although this first album is only one major release of Ruff’s but he continued to release his solo albums from minor label since then. Ruff’s self-titled second album was released in 1988 from French label named La Califusa (individually numbered 1,000 copies only),
then the album under the name of Michael Ruff Band folllowed in 1992 from Pladecompagniet A/S - Sony Music Entertainment Denmark, fourth album "Speaking In Melodies" was released in 1993 from Shefield Labo of USA. And fifth mini album "Shake A Little" was out from Border Music of Sweden in 1995 and more....

Release: 1984
Label: Warner Bros. Records, USA (25159-1)

First Reissued CD Release: 25 April, 1992 (Warner Music Japan, WPCP-4805)

Tracks:
1. Walkin' With Somebody
2. Hometown
3. Let Her Stay
4. Love Go Round
5. Once In A Lifetime
6. Don't Ever Say Goodbye
7. Ariel
8. Dedication
9. More Than You'll Never Know

Producer: Tommy Lipuma

Michael Ruff: Vocals, Keyboards

- Musicians -
Drums: Andre Fisher, Steve Gadd, John Robinson, Ralph Humphrey
Bass: Bobby Watson, Abe Laboriel, Jimmy Haslip, Jimmy Johnson
Guitars: Donald Griffin, Hugh McCracken, Dean Parks, Jeff Pevar, Mike Miller, Snuffy Walden
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Horns: Larry Williams, Bill Reichenbach, Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Kim Hutchcroft
Sax: David Sanborn
Background Vocals: Howard Smith, Hamish Stuart, Larry John McNally, Brenda Russell, Vonda Shepard, Joe Turano, Adie Gray, Jim Gilstrap, Darayl Phinessee

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