Stuff

by Scott YanowUnder the leadership of bassist Gordon Edwards, several of the most prolific studio players around teamed together to form an all-star rhythm section that on a part-time basis operated as an independent group. Back around 1967, Edwards put together the Encyclopedia of Soul and during the next decade, the group (which just played together on an occasional basis) evolved into Stuff. Such musicians as drummer Billy Cobham and Jimmy Johnson and altoist David Sanborn passed through the group. By the time of its initial recording in 1975, the lineup was set: Richard Tee on organ, electric piano, and acoustic pianos, both Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree on guitars, bassist Edwards, and drummer Steve Gadd; Christopher Parker was occasionally with the group on second drums and percussion. Although the band, which consisted of masterful accompanists, often sounded like a "music minus one" ensemble (as if they were waiting for the main soloist to show up), Stuff was quite popular for a few years, recording four albums for Warner Bros. and having occasional reunions in the '80s.