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.
Stepney later produced Terry Callier on his albums Occasional Rain (1972), What Color Is Love (1973) and I Just Can't Help Myself (1974).
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.