California Soul
"California Soul" is a funk-soul tune written by Ashford & Simpson, issued originally as the B-side of the Messengers' single "Window Shopping" in 1967 under the Motown group of labels.
| "California Soul" | |
|---|---|
| Single by the Messengers | |
| A-side | "Window Shopping" |
| Released | September 7, 1967 |
| Recorded | 1967 |
| Genre | Funk-soul |
| Label | Soul |
| Songwriter(s) | Ashford & Simpson |
| Producer(s) | Jeffrey Bowen |
| Official audio | |
| "California Soul" on YouTube | |
Other recordings
- Nick Ashford then released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599.[1]
- The song was then issued as a single by American pop quintet the 5th Dimension in late 1968.
- The song was also covered by Motown vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. It was Gaye's and Terrell's last single together when released in early 1970.
- A version appears on the 1970 studio album War & Peace by Edwin Starr (Gordy Records).[2] Cash Box said that this version "glimmers with the special touch of a motor city arrangement and the vocal fuel ignited by this splendid team."[3]
- Marlena Shaw recorded a version in 1969, which appears on her album The Spice Of Life.[4][5]
Chart performance
Both the 5th Dimension's version and the Gaye-Terrell version were modest chart hits. The 5th Dimension's performed better, reaching number twenty-five on the pop singles chart.[6] Marvin and Tammi's cover was the B-side of "The Onion Song". The duo's version of "California Soul" reached number fifty pop but never charted on the US R&B chart.[7] The duet was released after Terrell's death from a brain tumor in March 1970.
Credits
The 5th Dimension version
- All vocals by the 5th Dimension: Billy Davis Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson
- Written by Ashford & Simpson
- Produced by Bones Howe
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version
- All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/ Valerie Simpson[8])
- Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
- Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
Certifications and sales
Marlena Shaw version
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Sales since 2004 |
Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Record World Magazine July 27, 1968, p. 166.
- "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 11, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- "Marlene Shaw - California Soul (Leygo Remix)- FREE DOWNLOAD".
- "California Soul". YouTube.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 222.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.
- The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 9: 1969, Motown/Hip-O Select, 2008, p.109
- "British single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
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