Eternal Journey - The Arrangements And Productions of Charles Stepney
Compilation of Charles Stepney’s most famous productions for the Chess label. Funk & soul essential!

Eternal Journey - The Arrangements And Productions of Charles Stepney

Charles Stepney

€ 39,95
  • 2 x LP
Label
Ace
Expected release
27 February 2026
PRE-ORDER ITEM: This item will only be shipped to you on or after 27 February 2026. Please note any orders containing pre-order items won't be shipped until all items are available, so please order this separately to avoid delays. Release dates are at the mercy of labels, distributor, and pressing plants and will change constantly.

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Description

2LP - Black Vinyl. 

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.

Tracklist

A

  • 1.Ramsey Lewis - Dear Prudence
  • 2.Minnie Riperton - Les Fleurs
  • 3.The Dells - It's All Up To You
  • 4.Billy Stewart - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
  • 5.Meditation Singers - Stand Up And Be Counted

B

  • 1.The New Rotary Connection - Love Has Fallen On Me
  • 2.Terry Callier - What Color Is Love?
  • 3.Marlena Shaw - Brother Where Are You
  • 4.Little Milton - More And More
  • 5.Ramsey Lewis - Eternal Journey

C

  • 1.Marlena Shaw - California Soul
  • 2.Terry Callier - Can't Catch The Trane
  • 3.The Dells - The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)
  • 4.Rotary Connection - Teach Me How To Fly
  • 5.Phil Upchurch - More And More

D

  • 1.Bo Diddley - I'm High Again
  • 2.Muddy Waters - Let's Spend The Night Together
  • 3.Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning (1969 version)
  • 4.Junior Wells - Girl You Lit My Fire
  • 5.Buddy Guy - I'm Gonna Keep It To Myself

Videos

More by Charles Stepney

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