Charles Stepney
Encyclopedia
Charles Stepney was a producer, arranger, songwriter and musician famous for his Orchestral Psychedelic soul
sound with Chicago's Cadet
/Chess
records in the 1960s/1970s and afterwards with Earth, Wind & Fire.
(son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess
) in the mid ’60’s created the band Rotary Connection
for the new experimental
Cadet Concept
label and between 1967 and 1971 produced six innovative studio albums for Rotary Connection (receiving a Grammy nomination in 1968):
Between the creation of the Rotary Connection albums, Charles also produced, arranged & co-wrote with Rotary Connection singer Minnie Riperton
’s 1970 debut album Come to My Garden
.
Commenting on Minnie at the time he said that she"has a soprano range of about four octaves, a whole lot of soul, she's good-looking and she's got the experience of Rotary behind her."
During this time Charles wrote, produced and conducted a Classical Jazz Symphony in 5 parts entitled Cohesion. Cohesion was performed in Minneapolis, MN by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Ramsey Lewis Trio and Minnie Riperton. It was his first opportunity to Conduct live before an audience.
Stepney is also credited as a musician/producer on the following albums:
Just Can't Help Myself (1974)
In the mid 1970s Charles teamed up again with Maurice White
and produced a number of Ramsey Lewis Trio albums in which Maurice drummed.
Before he died he co-produced with Maurice the platinum selling Earth, Wind & Fire albums Open Our Eyes
(1974), That's the Way of the World
, Gratitude
both released in 1975 and Spirit
released in 1976.
His favorite book was The Schillinger System of Musical Composition
by Joseph Schillinger
.
spoke to Stepney on the afternoon of May 17, 1976, but later that day, Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist Larry Dunn
received a phone call informing him that Charles Stepney had died of a heart attack. The song Spirit then became a tribute to Stepney's life. Although Stepney never got the credit he deserved, his spirit remained a staple in Earth, Wind & Fire's legendary sound.
, Stevie Wonder
, Chaka Khan
, 4hero, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick
, Zero 7
, Elton John
, Gilles Peterson
& Terry Callier
have been influenced by Stepney.
Psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul, sometimes called black rock, is a sub-genre of soul music, which mixes the characteristics of soul with psychedelic rock...
sound with Chicago's Cadet
Cadet Records
Cadet Records was started as Argo Records in 1955 as the jazz subsidiary of Chess Records. Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet to avoid confusion with the similarly named label in the UK...
/Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
records in the 1960s/1970s and afterwards with Earth, Wind & Fire.
Production history
Charles and Marshall ChessMarshall Chess
Marshall Chess is the son and nephew of the founders of Chess Records, the Chicago-based independent record label that first recorded an unprecedented list of African-American, blues and early rock and roll artists such as: Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy...
(son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess
Leonard Chess
Leonard Chess was a record company executive and the founder of Chess Records. He was influential in the development of electric blues.- Early life :...
) in the mid ’60’s created the band Rotary Connection
Rotary Connection
Rotary Connection was an American psychedelic soul band, formed in Chicago in 1966. The highly experimental band was the idea of Marshall Chess, son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. Marshall was the director behind a start-up label, Cadet Concept Records, and wanted to focus on music outside...
for the new experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
Cadet Concept
Cadet Records
Cadet Records was started as Argo Records in 1955 as the jazz subsidiary of Chess Records. Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet to avoid confusion with the similarly named label in the UK...
label and between 1967 and 1971 produced six innovative studio albums for Rotary Connection (receiving a Grammy nomination in 1968):
- Rotary Connection (album)Rotary Connection (album)Rotary Connection is the eponymous debut album by the American psychedelic soul music group of the same name. The album includes several cover songs by The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and Sam & Dave.-Track listing:...
(1967)
- Aladdin (1968)
- Peace (1968)
- SongsSongs (Rotary Connection album)Songs is the fourth album by the American psychedelic soul music group Rotary Connection. The album is unlike all the other Rotary Connections albums as it contained all cover songs...
(1969)
- Dinner Music (1970)
- Hey Love (1971) (as the New Rotary ConnectionRotary ConnectionRotary Connection was an American psychedelic soul band, formed in Chicago in 1966. The highly experimental band was the idea of Marshall Chess, son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. Marshall was the director behind a start-up label, Cadet Concept Records, and wanted to focus on music outside...
)
Between the creation of the Rotary Connection albums, Charles also produced, arranged & co-wrote with Rotary Connection singer Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
’s 1970 debut album Come to My Garden
Come To My Garden
Come to My Garden is the debut solo album by Minnie Riperton -produced, arranged and orchestrated by Charles Stepney- released in 1970. It was re-released on CD in 1999. It peaked at number one hundred and sixty on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in 1974...
.
Commenting on Minnie at the time he said that she"has a soprano range of about four octaves, a whole lot of soul, she's good-looking and she's got the experience of Rotary behind her."
During this time Charles wrote, produced and conducted a Classical Jazz Symphony in 5 parts entitled Cohesion. Cohesion was performed in Minneapolis, MN by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Ramsey Lewis Trio and Minnie Riperton. It was his first opportunity to Conduct live before an audience.
Stepney is also credited as a musician/producer on the following albums:
- The Soulful Strings - Paint It, BlackPaint It, Black"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
(1966) & Groovin' with the Soulful Strings (1967)
- Muddy WatersMuddy WatersMcKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
- Electric MudElectric MudElectric Mud is a studio album by Muddy Waters. Released in 1968, it is a concept album which imagines Muddy Waters as a psychedelic musician...
(1968) & After the RainAfter the Rain (Muddy Waters album)After the Rain is a 1969 album by Muddy Waters, a follow-up to the previous years' Electric Mud and sharing many of the musicians from that album...
(1969)
- Howlin' WolfHowlin' WolfChester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
- The Howlin' Wolf AlbumThe Howlin' Wolf Album-Personnel:*Howlin' Wolf – guitar, harmonica, vocals*Gene Barge – horn, electric sax*Pete Cosey – guitar, bowed guitar*Hubert Sumlin – guitar*Roland Faulkner – guitar*Morris Jennings – drums*Don Myrick – flute*Louis Satterfield – bass...
(1969)
- Marlena ShawMarlena ShawMarlena Shaw is an American singer. Shaw began her singing career in the 1960s and is still singing today. Her music has often been sampled in hip hop music, and used in television commercials.-Biography:She was first introduced to music by her uncle Jimmy Burgess, a jazz trumpet player...
- The Spice of LifeThe Spice of Life (Marlena Shaw album)The Spice of Life is the second album by Marlena Shaw. It was her last studio album with Cadet Records and contains her famous version of the Ashford & Simpson song: California Soul.-Track listing:# Woman Of The Ghetto 6:02# Call it Stormy Monday 3:01...
(1969)
- Terry CallierTerry CallierTerrence O. Callier, known as Terry Callier is an American jazz, soul and folk guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Life and career:...
- Occasional Rain (1972), What Color Is Love (1973) & I
Just Can't Help Myself (1974)
- Ramsey LewisRamsey LewisRamsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
- Maiden Voyage 1968, Mother Nature's SonMother Nature's Son (album)Mother Nature’s Son is a studio album recorded by Ramsey Lewis which was released on Cadet Records. The album was produced by Charles Stepney and consisted of ten instrumental songs which were originally recorded on the album The Beatles, also known as The White Album.-Cover Art:The album cover was...
(1968), The Piano Player (1969), Sun Goddess (album)Sun Goddess (album)Sun Goddess is a 1974 jazz album by Ramsey Lewis.-About the album:After his classic acoustic albums in the 1960s, Ramsey Lewis wanted to head into a new musical direction in the then-new decade of the 1970s...
(1974), Don't It Feel GoodDon't It Feel GoodDon't It Feel Good is a 1975 jazz album by Ramsey Lewis released on Columbia Records.The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard Jazz Albums and #5 on the R&B Albums chart. The single Spiderman made its way to number 6 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart...
(1975) & SalongoSalongoSalongo is a 1976 Jazz album by Ramsey Lewis released on Columbia Records.-Reception:The album peaked at #7 on the Billboard Jazz Albums and #17 on the Black Albums chart...
(1976)
- Phil UpchurchPhil UpchurchPhil Upchurch is an American jazz and R&B guitarist and bassist.Upchurch started his career working with The Kool Gents, The Dells, and The Spaniels before going on to work with Curtis Mayfield, Otis Rush and Jimmy Reed. He then returned to Chicago to play and record with Woody Herman, Stan Getz,...
- Upchurch (album) (1968)
- The DellsThe DellsThe Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
- There Is (album) (1968), Love is Blue (1969) Like It Is, Like It Was (1971), & Freedom Means (1971)
- The EmotionsThe EmotionsThe Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson....
- FlowersFlowers (The Emotions album)-Side one:#"I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" #"Me for You" #"You've Got the Right to Know"...
(1976)
- Deniece WilliamsDeniece WilliamsJune Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s...
- This Is NiecyThis Is NiecyThis Is Niecy is the debut album by Gary, Indiana singer Deniece Williams. Released in 1976 on Columbia Records. Produced by Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White along with Charles Stepney.-Reception:...
(1976)
In the mid 1970s Charles teamed up again with Maurice White
Maurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
and produced a number of Ramsey Lewis Trio albums in which Maurice drummed.
Before he died he co-produced with Maurice the platinum selling Earth, Wind & Fire albums Open Our Eyes
Open Our Eyes
Open Our Eyes is the fifth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1974 on Columbia Records. The album went to number one on the R&B Charts and number 15 on the Pop Charts. Open Our Eyes contained the Billboard charting singles, "Mighty Mighty" , "Devotion" , "Kalimba Story"...
(1974), That's the Way of the World
That's the Way of the World
-1999 reissue:-Covers and samples:"Reasons", the album's breakout love ballad, has been covered by Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Maxi Priest and other artists. "Reasons" has also been sampled by Master P on Intro/17...
, Gratitude
Gratitude
Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. The experience of gratitude has historically been a focus of several world religions, and has been considered extensively by moral...
both released in 1975 and Spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
released in 1976.
His favorite book was The Schillinger System of Musical Composition
Schillinger System
The Schillinger System of Musical Composition, named after Joseph Schillinger, is a method of musical composition based on mathematical processes...
by Joseph Schillinger
Joseph Schillinger
Joseph Schillinger was a composer, music theorist, and composition teacher. He was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine and died in New York City.-Life and career:...
.
Death
The song Spirit was intended to uplift Stepney's spirit, and to show all the gratitude that Earth, Wind & Fire had towards him. Sadly, Stepney never got to hear the song. Maurice WhiteMaurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
spoke to Stepney on the afternoon of May 17, 1976, but later that day, Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn is a keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire. Dunn, along with other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.-Career:...
received a phone call informing him that Charles Stepney had died of a heart attack. The song Spirit then became a tribute to Stepney's life. Although Stepney never got the credit he deserved, his spirit remained a staple in Earth, Wind & Fire's legendary sound.
Influence
Artists such as Ramsey LewisRamsey Lewis
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, 4hero, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick
Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick
Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick is a British guitarist, bandleader, composer and record producer. He has led the British acid jazz band Incognito since its formation in 1979. With Incognito, he has released fourteen studio albums as well as a number of live albums, remix albums and compilation albums...
, Zero 7
Zero 7
Zero 7 is a British musical duo consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. The group members began their musical careers as studio engineers and in 1997 formed the group Zero 7. Their debut album, Simple Things was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Gilles Peterson
Gilles Peterson
Gilles Peterson , is a DJ, record collector and record label owner from London, UK. Through his labels Acid Jazz, Talkin' Loud, and latterly Brownswood Recordings, he has been associated with the careers of well-known artists of the 1990s such as Erykah Badu, Roni Size and Jamiroquai...
& Terry Callier
Terry Callier
Terrence O. Callier, known as Terry Callier is an American jazz, soul and folk guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Life and career:...
have been influenced by Stepney.