VARIOUS – Eternal Journey – The Arrangements And Productions Of Charles Stepney – 2LP – Vinyl [FEB 27]

2LP – Black Vinyl.

Charles Stepney gained worldwide success as the producer for Earth Wind & Fire and Deniece Williams but theproducer and arrangers earlier work at Chess is now regarded as some of the most original ever laid to tape, and inthe past 20 years has become a primary influence on scores of producers and arrangers, with his records beingsought after by DJs and collectors. Despite a couple of attempts, his most important work has never been compiledon one volume until now. This compilation gathers up his most famous productions for the likes of RotaryConnection – 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 Stepneys production for the Chess labelscaptured the spirit of the era by mixing soul, jazz, electronics, composed music and a touch of psychedelia, allarranged 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 RotaryConnection, which allowed him to realise his symphonic productions. With the success of their debut album, Stepneywas recruited to work on many of the labels most important artists including Ramsey Lewis, Muddy Waters, HowlinWolf and The Dells. He also took on his own projects working with Phil Upchurch, Terry Callier and others.

Tracklist:

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