| Revision as of 01:23, 26 January 2021 editBinksternet (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, File movers, Pending changes reviewers496,472 editsm Reverted 1 edit by 2601:81:447E:32F0:E137:D967:8B42:F147 (talk) to last revision by PrimeBOTTags: Twinkle Undo← Previous edit | Revision as of 22:06, 21 April 2021 edit undoKjell Knudde (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users139,168 edits Added more categories.Next edit → | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 22:06, 21 April 2021
This article is about the song by Ashford & Simpson. For the album by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, see California Soul (album). | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "California Soul" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| "California Soul" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Messengers | |
| A-side | "Window Shopping" |
| Released | September 7, 1967 (1967-09-07) |
| Recorded | 1967 |
| Genre | Funk-soul |
| Label | Soul |
| Songwriter(s) | Ashford & Simpson |
| Producer(s) | Jeffrey Bowen |
"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. Nick Ashford then released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599. It was then issued as a single by American pop quintet the 5th Dimension in late 1968, and also covered by Motown vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and by Marlena Shaw the following year. It was Gaye's and Terrell's last single together when released in early 1970.
Both the 5th Dimension's version and the Gaye-Terrell version were modest charted hits. The 5th Dimension's performed better, reaching number twenty-five on the pop singles chart. 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. The duet was released after Terrell's death from a brain tumor in March 1970. Shaw's version was only released as a track on her 1969 album The Spice of Life, but later became a staple of the UK rare groove scene.
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 & Valerie Simpson (credited to Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
- Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
- Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
References
- Record World Magazine July 27, 1968, page 166
- 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.
