ETERNAL JOURNEY-THE ARRANGEMENTS AND PRODUCTIONS OF

Description

Charles Stepney achieved international success as a producer for Earth, Wind & Fire and Deniece Williams, but his earlier work at Chess is now considered among the most original ever recorded. Over the past two decades, he has become a major influence for many producers and arrangers, and his records are highly sought after by DJs and collectors. Despite several attempts, his most important works had never been compiled until now. This compilation brings together his most famous productions for artists such as Rotary Connection (and its singer Minnie Riperton), Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier, Marlena Shaw, and The Dells. Influenced by artists as diverse as Masters At Work and Radiohead, Charles Stepney captured the spirit of his time through his productions for the Chess label, blending soul, jazz, electronica, original compositions, and a touch of psychedelia, all brilliantly arranged and produced with exceptional quality. Surprisingly, no compilation had previously been dedicated to this period of his work, a gap that we fill with "Eternal Journey." Stepney was a freelance arranger when Marshall Chess recruited him to co-produce his new project, Rotary Connection, allowing him to realize his symphonic productions. Following the success of their first album, Stepney was asked to work with many major artists on the label, such as Ramsey Lewis, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and The Dells. He also led his own projects, collaborating with Phil Upchurch, Terry Callier, and others. Beautifully remastered and presented in a sleeve inspired by a Rotary Connection advertisement from Billboard magazine in the 1960s, this album offers 16 tracks of typical Chicago brilliance. The compilation's producer, Dean Rudland, traces Stepney's rise through his most brilliant works, as well as his early days doing everyday arrangements for R&B and soul stars like Little Milton and Buddy Guy. His detailed liner notes include interviews with many of Stepney's collaborators, including the author's conversations with Terry Callier and Marshall Chess.