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Michael Ruff Michael Ruff is an internationally known singer/songwriter, pianist/arranger, and producer
with diverse musical interests. Michael has toured, played with or had songs recorded by Chaka Kahn,
David Sanborn, Rickie Lee Jones, Lionel Richie, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Brenda Russell, Roberta Flack, Karla Bonoff,
Jose Feliciano, Laura Branigan, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, The Winans, Al Jarreau, Kal David, Gerald Albright, Michael Paulo,
and Carl Anderson. He has recently produced CDs for Rob Mehl, Amy Gilliom, Chris Casale and Leilani Rivera Bond. |
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Michael's style could be described as West Coast with a strong dash of chili pepper funk.
He has gained popularity in Scandinavia, Europe, Japan and the West Coast through tours and recordings,
notably with Los Angeles-based Straitjacket - bassist Marco Mendoza, keyboardist Renato Neto,
and drummer Joey Heredia. Outstanding performances,
amazing musicianship, Michael Ruff's songs....whether playing or producing, Michael perfects a song for its own integrity
and with the artist in mind.
Michael's interviews with
Frank Achmann and Sune Schack
and his bio/discography are available
courtesy Blue Desert. Michael's web site is www.michaelruff.com. |
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Acoustic Trios
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When Michael Ruff goes on piano safari in your living room for a weekend with Kaua`i musician friends
Tony Rodarte on drums, and Mike Latif, Trey Thompson and Darryl Miyasato on double bass,
well naturally you're going along even if you're just one of the porters. Bob Francescini drops in on sax from New York,
daughter Olivia Ruff on vocals from the West Coast, and Sara Thompson from Kauai's North Shore on background vocals.
Sit (if you can) and listen in on this one.
Each song is its own animal, with every hue and pattern, tamber of growl or laughter, glint of tears or rain, exposed and explored.
Jazz impregnated by funk, R&B, Latin, blues and gospel - definitely Jaberwacky - Michael and friends bring home the catch on Acoustic Trios.
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Waters Of Love
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This long-awaited CD, Waters Of Love - Gospel Live! is certainly one
of Michael Ruff's most important and powerful works. "The songs were recorded in front of a live audience
(soul food, folding chairs). So many gifted people having a praise party!" The songs,
arrangements, performances and production values are all unmistakably Michael Ruff and his incredible friends, in His calling.
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Everything
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Everything is Michael's latest release with Straitjacket:
Marco Mendoza, Renato Neto & Joey Heredia. Joining them on this one are James Harrah on guitar and Olivia Ruff singing.
The album includes 5 new songs by Michael plus 3 written by the band, all performed with a live improvisational feel,
with extended groove and solo sections.
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Love Never Fades
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Many of Michael's songs were written on a Yamaha C3 grand piano that we were able move
to Kauai, where this CD was recorded. This new album is a very close and personal look at the songwriter - his
music, playing, singing and this piano.
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Lovesongs & Lullabies
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As the album title suggests, this one is loaded with ballads, love songs and lullabies,
all in Michael's signature West Coast style, with writing and performances from the heart. This is a reissue
of the limited 1999 release, so we added some polishing touches to the artwork, and brought
this long-out-of-print masterpiece back into circulation.
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Feels Good
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Another reissue, Feels Good is the Michael Ruff Band at it's best...
live, spontaneous and exciting. Recorded in Copenhagen in 1996, this CD was produced by Niels Erik Lund, and
features Straitjacket: Marco Mendoza on bass, Joey Heredia on drums and Renato Neto on keyboards. These guys rock!
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Speaking In Melodies
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Sheffield Labs made some legendary recordings in their time, and Michael Ruff's "Speaking In Melodies"
was one of them. With Dean Parks on guitars, John Robinson & Per Lindvall on drums, Leland Sklar on bass, and lots of other great
players, Michael had a great band for this one.
Engineered and Mixed by George Massenburg & Doug Sax, "Wishing Well" has been included in numerous audiophile compilation
and pro calibration CDs. Circa 1992; we have a very limited supply.
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