David Ruffin - So Soon We Change (1979) Warner Bros - Rare Soul (FLAC)

Born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi. His mother died during childbirth, and he was raised by his father, a Baptist minister. At age 13, he left home to become a minister but soon found himself singing in Memphis talent shows instead. He began writing songs as a teenager and moved from talent shows into a true singing career (along with brother Jimmy) with the Dixie Nightingales, a local gospel group. Joining several groups in succession, Ruffin toured with the Womack Brothers, the Staple Singers and the Dixie Hummingbirds (all gospel groups). On stage, he developed into a real showman, and his act drew attention from both gospel crowds and secular-music professionals. At talent shows he met Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Bobby Womack as a teenager. David Ruffin joined the Temptations in 1964 after the group’s co-founder Elbridge “Al” Bryant was forced out.His raspy and soulful tenor vocals were instrumental in making the Temptations one of the greatest groups of all time. Ruffin is also known for his solo efforts, his constant struggle of balancing a career, and a difficult personal life where drug abuse was consistent. The Temps first hit was “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, promptly followed by a series of chartbusters, including “My Girl, I Know I’m Losing You”, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, and “I Wish It Would Rain”. The Temptations eventually became one of the biggest groups in the world, but unfortunately Ruffin was fired in 1968 due to misconduct,discipline and yes drug abuse. He was replaced with The Contours singer Dennis Edwards. He had a moderately successful solo career from 1969 onwards recording 13 albums and many singles with hits including “My Whole World Ended” and “Walk Away from Love”.Ruffin died from a cocaine overdose after returning to the states from England in June 1961. He was 50 years old.What a tragic waste of a precious life ? His brother Jimmy was also signed to the Motown stable till the early 1970,s.Apart from a train wreck of a personal life he remains one of THE voices in Soul and i have found his albums(i have them all) to be polished and consistently good with the odd duff track here and there.The taster is one of my fave Ruffin tracks.

AMM

                                                                        The Taster!

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