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Not long ago, Marlena Shaw was an overlooked gem. Despite recording standout LPs for iconic labels like Cadet and Blue Note and performing consistently through the ‘60s and ‘70s, she never quite broke through as a soul or jazz icon. Straddling both worlds but fully embraced by neither, she remained respected but underappreciated. That changed in the ‘90s, when a new wave of listeners embraced soul, jazz – and everything in between. Marlena finally got her dues. She became a cult hero, a true soul-jazz diva to a new generation of fans.
For any singer, respect means everything. Standing on stage with nothing but your voice and presence is no small feat – it demands courage, vulnerability, and charisma. Marlena spent decades doing just that, often in the shadows. Only recently has she received the recognition she’s long deserved.
Disc One opens with her most beloved track, California Soul. A timeless anthem, it’s more than just a crate-digger’s classic – it’s a feel-good groove that radiates like the West Coast sunshine. Flip it over for Liberation Conversation, originally from her revered 1969 LP The Spice of Life. Funky, fierce and fast-moving, it kicks off with the unforgettable line: “The blues ain’t nothing but a good woman gone bad.”
Disc Two features Wade in the Water, a powerful reinterpretation of a spiritual with deep roots in Black American history. Marlena’s version, released in 1966, has filled dancefloors ever since. On the flip is Woman of the Ghetto, the hard-hitting opener from The Spice of Life. It’s gone on to achieve anthem status – and for good reason. We’ve used the original 45 version that first promoted the album.
This special double 7” release from Jazzman Records is a tribute to Marlena Shaw:
Born 22 September 1939 – Passed 19 January 2024.
An icon, finally celebrated.
Track list:
Side 1
1. "California Soul" 2:58
Side 2
1. "Liberation Conversation" (album version) 2:03
Side 3
1. "Let's Wade In The Water" 3:28
Side 4
1. "Woman Of The Ghetto" 3:04