| Revision as of 18:26, 4 January 2023 editCarlossfsu (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers20,657 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:27, 4 January 2023 edit undoCarlossfsu (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers20,657 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| *The song was also covered by ] vocal duo ] and ]. It was Gaye's and Terrell's last single together when released in early 1970. | *The song was also covered by ] vocal duo ] and ]. It was Gaye's and Terrell's last single together when released in early 1970. | ||
| *] covered it, as well. Shaw's version was only released as a track on her 1969 album '']''<ref>{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-spice-of-life-mw0000312552/credits|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=January 4, 2023}}</ref>, but later became a staple of the UK ] scene. | *] covered it, as well. Shaw's version was only released as a track on her 1969 album '']''<ref>{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-spice-of-life-mw0000312552/credits|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=January 4, 2023}}</ref>, but later became a staple of the UK ] scene. | ||
| ⚫ | *A version appears on the 1970 studio album ] by ] (]).<ref>{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/war-peace-mw0000653637|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=January 4, 2023}}</ref> '']'' said that this version "glimmers with the special touch of a motor city arrangement and the vocal fuel ignited by this splendid team."<ref>{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=April 11, 1970|page=20|accessdate=2021-12-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-04-11.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}</ref> | ||
| ==Chart performance== | ==Chart performance== | ||
| Line 44: | Line 45: | ||
| *Written and produced by ] | *Written and produced by ] | ||
| *Instrumentation by ] | *Instrumentation by ] | ||
| ===Edwin Starr version=== | |||
| ⚫ | *A version appears on the 1970 studio album ] by ] (]).<ref>{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/war-peace-mw0000653637|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=January 4, 2023}}</ref> '']'' said that this version "glimmers with the special touch of a motor city arrangement and the vocal fuel ignited by this splendid team."<ref>{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=April 11, 1970|page=20|accessdate=2021-12-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-04-11.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}</ref> | ||
| ==Certifications and sales== | ==Certifications and sales== | ||
Revision as of 18:27, 4 January 2023
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.
Other recordings
- Nick Ashford then released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599.
- 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.
- Marlena Shaw covered it, as well. 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.
- A version appears on the 1970 studio album War & Peace by Edwin Starr (Gordy Records). 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."
Chart performance
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.
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 (contrary to misreports, Valerie Simpson denied ever subbing for Terrell)
- 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) Sales since 2004 |
Gold | 400,000 |
|
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- Record World Magazine July 27, 1968, page 166
- "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 11, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- 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.
