Steve Gadd - 1987 "The Gadd Gang"

Stephen Kendall "Steve" Gadd (born April 9, 1945^[1]) is an American musician. Gadd is one of the most well-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry, recognized by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984.^[2] Gadd's groove on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", and drum solo on Steely Dan's "Aja", are both examples of his seminal sound and signature style. He has worked with popular musicians from a wide range of genres including notably Simon & Garfunkel, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Grover Washington Jr., Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour and Al Di Meola.

Drummer Steve Gadd, one of the busiest players around in the '70s and '80s, formed The Gadd Gang in the late '80s. They only made one album under this banner in 1987 for Columbia. Cornell Dupree, Richard Tee, Ronnie Cuber and Eddie Gomez played alongside Gadd.

Gadd has collaborated since the 70s with ace session men
Cornell Dupree, Richard Tee and Eddie Gomez with the group Stuff.
Bari sax legend Ronnie Cuber was added to the roster during the 80s
and the Gadd Gang was born. This is feel-good music, these seasoned veterans sound like having a heck of a time playing it scoring high marks in the trouser flapping department, great, groovy stuff.

Although he has appeared on a countless number of studio sessions, this release was (with the exception of an obscure Japanese date in 1984) drummer Steve Gadd's debut as a leader. The Gadd Gang (comprised of the drummer, guitarist Cornell Dupree, bassist Eddie Gómez and Richard Tee on keyboards) was a likable unit that blended together jazz, R&B and some groovin' funk. With the addition of a horn section arranged by David Matthews, the group plays Bob Dylan's "Watching the River Flow," and Wilton Felder's "Way Back Home," a medley of "Honky Tonk" and "I Can't Stop Loving You," and some basic band originals that can appeal to a wide audience.

Track listing:

1. Watching The River Flow 6:34   
2. Strength  4:27
3. Way Back Home  6:56
4. Morning Love  4:19
5. Duke's Lullaby 3:59
6. Everything You Do 3:46
7. Medley: Honky Tonk/I Can't Stop Loving You 6:53

Personnel:

Steve Gadd     Composer, Congas, Drums, Percussion, Producer, Vocals
Cornell Dupree     Guest Artist, Guitar
Michael Brecker     Sax (Tenor)
Ronnie Cuber     Guest Artist, Horn, Sax (Baritone)
Eddie Gomez     Bass, Composer, Guest Artist
Jon Faddis     Trumpet
Barry Rogers     Trombone
Lew Soloff     Trumpet
David Taylor     Trombone
Richard Tee     Arranger, Composer, DX-7, Guest Artist, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Vocals
George Young     Sax (Tenor)