"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.
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 25 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 50 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[9] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Sales since 2004 |
Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Record World, July 27, 1968, p. 166
- ^ "War & Peace : Edwin Starr". AllMusic. 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". Soundcloud.com.
- ^ "California Soul". YouTube. 7 December 2018.
- ^ 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
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". Radioscope. Retrieved 19 January 2025. Type California Soul in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "British single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
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