VA – Eternal Journey – The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney – Bgp UK CD

Charles Stepney gained worldwide success as the producer for Earth Wind & Fire and Deniece Williams but the producer and arranger’s earlier work at Chess is now regarded as some of the most original ever laid to tape, and in the past 20 years has become a primary influence on scores of producers and arrangers, with his records being sought after by DJs and collectors. Despite a couple of attempts, his most important work has never been compiled on one volume until now. This compilation gathers up his most famous productions for the likes of Rotary Connection – and their singer Minnie Riperton, Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier, Marlena Shaw and the Dells.

An influence on everyone from Masters At Work to Radiohead, Charles Stepney’s production for the Chess labels captured the spirit of the era by mixing soul, jazz, electronics, composed music and a touch of psychedelia, all arranged brilliantly and produced to an incredibly high standard. Shockingly there has never been a compilation dedicated to this area of his work, something that we are rectifying with “Eternal Journey”.

Stepney was a jobbing arranger when Marshall Chess recruited him to co-produce his new project Rotary Connection, which allowed him to realise his symphonic productions. With the success of their debut album, Stepney was recruited to work on many of the labels most important artists including Ramsey Lewis, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and The Dells. He also took on his own projects working with Phil Upchurch, Terry Callier and others.

Beautifully remastered and housed in a sleeve based on a 1960s Rotary Connection Billboard Magazine advert, this is 16 tracks of Chicago brilliance. Compilation producer Dean Rudland has told the story of Stepney’s emergence through his most dazzling work and also their building blocks in the day to day arrangements from R&B and soul stars such as Little Milton and Buddy Guy. His in depth sleeve note includes interview with many of those who worked with Stepney including the author’s conversations with both Terry Callier and Marshall Chess.

tracklist:

01 Ramsey Lewis – Dear Prudence
02 Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur
03 The Dells – It’s All Up To You
04 Billy Stewart – By The Time I Get To Phoenix
05 Meditation Singers – Stand Up And Be Counted
06 The New Rotary Connection – Love Has Fallen On Me
07 Terry Callier – What Color Is Love
08 Marlena Shaw – Brother Where Are You
09 Little Milton – More And More
10 Ramsey Lewis – Eternal Journey
11 Marlena Shaw – California Soul
12 Terry Callier – Can’t Catch The Trane
13 The Dells – The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)
14 Rotary Connection – Teach Me How To Fly
15 Phil Upchurch – More And More
16 Bo Diddley – I’m High Again
17 Muddy Waters – Let’s Spend The Night Together
18 Howlin’ Wolf – Smokestack Lightning (1969 version)
19 Howlin’ Wolf – Girl You Lit My Fire
20 Buddy Guy – I’m Gonna Keep It To Myself