In the past of popular music there are many secrets that are not very secret. Sometimes it’s just a matter of perspective. You may have never heard the name of Charles Stepney, but you may have heard a lot of music devised, arranged, and produced by him. He was one of the key names in Chicago soul in the 1960s and 1970s and is idolized by many. Those who knew him in life speak with sparkle in their eyes of how he created instant success in a short time, in the so-called “in less than nothing”, or the life of a cigarette at the studio door. Elton John, at one point, was obsessed with him, buying everything with the words “Charles” and “Stepney” in the credits and dreaming of working with the producer. It never happened. Stepney died 46 years ago, at (exactly) 46, of a heart attack. Why is he talked about today? Because thanks to the work –and the insistence– of his daughters, since the 80s, an unknown part of his legacy is now available on an absolutely masterful album, Step by Stepedited by Anthem International.

There are 78 minutes, more than 20 instrumental compositions that combine funk, soul, boogie, jazz, naive but justified and correct approaches to electronic instruments that were in vogue at that time. Recordings that Stepney made in his basement, where he created so many hits for others, in his spare time. I didn’t live to release this song. It is even possible that the experimental character -but not experimental- of some of these songs made them dislike the time. Others reconfigure popular jazz formulas of the time, such as Vince Guaraldi’s records for Charlie Brown specials. In a way, the songs of Step by Step now it will be better understood.

Don’t confuse this idea with the cliché-delicacy that “Stepney was a genius” and that she was “ahead of her time.” The truth is that in his time he was brilliant, creating pearls for Earth, Wind & Fire, Rotary Connection. , Minnie Riperton, Dells, Terry Calier, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Mannhattans, Ramsey Lewis, among many others. For years, he was an unsuccessful jazz musician, until he got a job at Chess Records. He then he drew the attention of everyone around him. Without realizing it, he was creating the Rotary Connection sound, mixing jazz with psychedelic rock on six albums full of great moments.

The shepherd’s will

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