Mid 70s to Early 80s jazzy muso-funk (Crusaders, Stanley Clarke, Stuff)

Not sure exactly how to describe this genre -- jazz and funk session dudes jamming out on smooth grooves, but not quite smooth jazz (although having some overlap with CTI), not quite fusion, not "soul jazz." I've been listening to Stuff lately because I'm something of a Gadd fan, and it's interesting to me how a lot of their grooves have this sort of country-fied sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZcTP3-ARFQ

listening to stanley clarke - school days now. this is pretty good stuff

This is a neat Clarke tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZcTP3-ARFQ

listen for the DJ Shadow sample a little after 4:30

hm maybe Deodato?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j4NXHiWupQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_FFus_8j-w

Loving this tune lately
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLUIayiJ6DM

btw this is what I meant to post for the clip that's a DJ Shadow sample
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_3YfRlM77s

and here's a crusaders tune I love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ItrlXBnycQ

This thread covers a lot of the same ground, if you're looking for recommendations:

Jazz in the late 70s / early 80s (jazz goes pop, jazz goes disco)

I've never owned a copy of Scratch, I probably should, but The Crusaders' self-titled 2-LP set and Southern Comfort have provided me with four decades of enjoyment.

Yeah my grandpa actually gave me his copy of Scratch when I was in high school. I've always loved the title track and been kind of meh on the rest of the record.

Yeah, dunno how I often I'd want to listen to their "Eleanor Rigby."

RE: Stuff, I've always loved Eric Gale's guitar tone. How did I not know until today that he died almost 20 years ago? Just not paying attention, I guess...

in recent years I've come to think of this stuff as The Best Fucking Music

not "fucking" in that sense you pervs

I love a lot of it, but sometimes I look at myself listening through it through young me's eyes and I feel very old

thundercat is making this sound cool & relevant though, right?

that Stuff track is really nice.

yeah, so much build the way the band grooves without the drums. I get kind of carried away coming up with drum grooves in my head to play behind it before Gadd comes in.

Discovered this band via their "Sleepify" Spotify stunt. They do a nice little homage to that Stuff/GE Smith sound here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XftabV9S2z0#t=132

fwiw I started a playlist on Spotify for this kind of stuff that I'm calling "GE Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band" -- any suggested additions welcome