Step on Step
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| Step on Step | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | September 9, 2022 | |||
| Length | 77:46 | |||
| Label | International Anthem | |||
| Producer |
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| Charles Stepney chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Step on Step | ||||
Step on Step is a compilation album by American musician Charles Stepney. It was released posthumously on September 9, 2022, through International Anthem Recording Company.
Charles Stepney was an American arranger, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter from Chicago.[3] Step on Step is a compilation of previously unreleased Stepney demos, consisting of 23 tracks.[4] It serves as the official debut for him as a solo artist.[5]
Stepney died in 1976 at the age of 45.[6] Before his death, he intended to release a solo album.[6] He left behind 90 reels of unreleased solo material.[7] They were recorded in his Chicago home studio, as four-track demos.[8] After his death, his daughters Eibur, Charlene, and Chanté uncovered the tapes.[8]
Step on Step was released on September 9, 2022, through International Anthem Recording Company.[9]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Mojo |  [11] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10[4] |
| Record Collector | [12] |
| Spectrum Culture | 80%[13] |
Andrew Male of Mojo commented that "It's the music equivalent of finding a great author's journals or an artist's sketchbook."[11] He added, "It feels vital, personal, vulnerable but also incomplete."[11] Paul Bowler of Record Collector wrote, "Accompanied by spoken word reminiscences from his daughters, it makes for an illuminating insight into the working methods of a musical genius."[12]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AllMusic | Favorite Archival Releases | — |
|
| Bandcamp Daily | The Best Albums of 2022 | — |
Track listing
All tracks are written by Charles Stepney, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Roll Tape" | — | 0:19 |
| 2. | "Gimme Some Sugar" | 2:33 | |
| 3. | "Daddy's Diddies" | 2:00 | |
| 4. | "Gotta Dig It to Dig It" | 3:31 | |
| 5. | "No Credit for This" | 3:29 | |
| 6. | "Roadtrip" | 5:18 | |
| 7. | "On Your Face" |
| 2:39 |
| 8. | "That's the Way of the World" |
| 4:22 |
| 9. | "Imagination" |
| 5:52 |
| 10. | "In the Basement" | 5:12 | |
| 11. | "Business" | 1:24 | |
| 12. | "Look B4U Leap" | 5:58 | |
| 13. | "Around the House" | 4:14 | |
| 14. | "Funky Sci Fi" | 4:10 | |
| 15. | "Mini Mugg" | 2:26 | |
| 16. | "Chicago Independent" | 1:31 | |
| 17. | "Surround Stereo" | — | 0:46 |
| 18. | "Black Gold" | 2:56 | |
| 19. | "Denim Groove" | 4:13 | |
| 20. | "Notes from Dad" | 4:40 | |
| 21. | "Rubie & Charles" | 4:42 | |
| 22. | "Greatness" | 1:29 | |
| 23. | "Step on Step" | 4:02 | |
| Total length: | 77:46 | ||
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[16]
- Charles Stepney – performance, recording
- Eibur Stepney – production, narration
- Charlene Stepney – production, narration
- Chanté Stepney – production, narration
- Scott McNiece – editing, sequencing
- Dave Vettraino – additional recording, treatment, mixing
- David Allen – mastering
- Rubie Stepney – photography
- Ayana Contreras – liner notes
- Craig Hansen – design, layout