Stepney is noted for his work with artists such as The Dells, Ramsey Lewis, Rotary Connection and Earth, Wind & Fire.
[1] Paul Bowler of Record Collector proclaimed, "The six albums that Rotary Connection recorded under Stepney's guidance proved revolutionary; a glorious fusion of styles made essential by the simpatico nature of Stepney's lush string arrangements and [Minnie] Riperton's multi-octave, quasi-operatic vocals.
In a November 1970 interview with Downbeat Magazine, Stepney exclaimed Minnie "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.
"[4] What's more he produced soul group The Dells on their 1968 album There Is, 1969 release Love is Blue and their 1971 LPs Like It Is, Like It Was and Freedom Means.
With the Trio was a young drummer named Maurice White who previously worked as a session musician at Chess Records.
[citation needed] Artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams, Chaka Khan, 4hero, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, Zero 7, and Terry Callier have been influenced by Stepney.