Customer Reviews

Spice of Life (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

You go Marlena - FINALLY...Cadet/Verve saw fit to re-issue Marlena's long-lost '69 soul/jazz classic SPICE OF LIFE, featuring some of the earliest and best vocal performances - but the cut that really captures this era is her amazingly funky take on CALIFORNIA SOUL - really, it's worth the price of the entire CD just for this nugget - I defy you to listen to Marlena's strut on this song and not snap your fingers and groove along - roll down the windows, drive up PCH, and blast it!

You could fill a mansion with both rock and soul records by people that put an album out, and sank into obscurity. The differance is, in soul, you really had to be good--at singing or playing- to even get onto wax. The music demands a good voice, and the ability to lock into syncopated rythms. It would be fun to find out exactly why Aretha Franklin became an international superstar, while people just as good remain unknown.

Marlena Shaw is a case and point: She has a great voice, the ability to sing sweet soul, grittiy southern soul, and jazz. For a soul album, this is very, very diverse, and everything works. Shaw even does some out and out scatting on this--not easy to do--and is a master.

There are all kinds of music and textures on here. All are done beatifully. There is even a version of Calafornia Soul that puts the 5Ds cover to shame and I like the 5ds version.

Obviously, as with most soul records, this is not a revelation, but that is rare in this type of music, because it is a narrow construct. But if you like soul and R&B, this is an essential album, just because it is SO good.

Awesome CD with a touch of The Four Tops,Temptaations, & Aretha Franklin, a definite classic. Highly recommend to everyone who enjoys oldschool R&B, Soul, & Jazz. "California Soul" is the highlight of this CD (which was played in the DICKIES commmercial during the NBA Playoffs). BUY IT!!!

First off, I ordered this cd last Friday (Oct 14), it arrived today (Oct 17),not express mail either!. Great way to start the week! This album passed me by when first issued. I already have California Soul on one of the Verve Remix cd's, what I didn't know then was that this cd was arranged by Charles Stepney and I have been collecting his work (see The Dells, Earth, Wind and Fire, Minnie Ripperton. etc). Also, followed the Chess, Checker, Cadet label when younger, so, this is like putting the pieces to the puzzle together! I prefer full albums to compilations when possible. And this version of Go Away Little Boy seems to be the original as opposed to the remake from Columbia ('79???). So, all in all, this was a great purchase!

Marlena Shaw is awesome. I discovered her on the Dockers commercial and I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of her yet. I'm only 24, so I can see how I wouldn't have know about her, but she's a gem.

My daughter gave me California Soul on another CD--I had to get some more Marlena after that. Loved it.