On this day in music history: July 1, 1978 - “Stuff Like That” by Quincy Jones hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #21 on the Hot 100 on September 2, 1978. Written by Quincy Jones, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee and Ralph MacDonald, it is the first R&B chart topper for the veteran producer/arranger. Jones begins work on his twenty fifth studio album “Sounds… And Stuff Like That!!” following the recording of the soundtrack for “The Wiz”. He invites a number of musicians who had worked on the soundtrack to collaborate on his album including Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson and members of the R&B/Jazz-Funk band Stuff. Recording at A&R Studios in New York City as well as Cherokee Studios and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles, CA, the track also features Anthony Jackson (bass), David T. Walker (guitar) and George Young (tenor sax). Ashford & Simpson handle lead vocal duties along with Chaka Khan whom they are working with at the time on her first solo album. The group go into the studio with just the title and flesh out the completed song, while jamming and improvising. Released as the first single from “Sounds…” in April of 1978, it quickly becomes a hit on the dance floor and on R&B radio. “Stuff Like That” drive the “Sounds… And Stuff Like That!!” album to Platinum status in the US. Jones will re-visit “Stuff” again in 1995 when he records a new version of the track for the album “Q’s Jook Joint”. The new version features Gap Band lead vocalist Charlie Wilson, Ray Charles, Brandy and saxophonist Kirk Whalum, with Chaka Khan and Ashford & Simpson reprising their vocals.
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