VA – Eternal Journey – The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney – Bgp UK 2LP

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:

A01 Ramsey Lewis – Dear Prudence
A02 Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur
A03 The Dells – It’s All Up To You
A04 Billy Stewart – By The Time I Get To Phoenix
A05 Meditation Singers – Stand Up And Be Counted
B01 The New Rotary Connection – Love Has Fallen On Me
B02 Terry Callier – What Color Is Love
B03 Marlena Shaw – Brother Where Are You
B04 Little Milton – More And More
B05 Ramsey Lewis – Eternal Journey
C01 Marlena Shaw – California Soul
C02 Terry Callier – Can’t Catch The Trane
C03 The Dells – The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)
C04 Rotary Connection – Teach Me How To Fly
C05 Phil Upchurch – More And More
D01 Bo Diddley – I’m High Again
D02 Muddy Waters – Let’s Spend The Night Together
D03 Howlin’ Wolf – Smokestack Lightning (1969 version)
D04 Howlin’ Wolf – Girl You Lit My Fire
D05 Buddy Guy – I’m Gonna Keep It To Myself