Marlena Shaw - The Spice Of Life (1969) [2005]

The Spice Of Life is a 1969 album by Marlena Shaw. Originally released on Cadet Records, this CD was released by Verve Music Group on 26 July, 2005.
Marlena Shaw's penchant for stylistic variety is certainly evident on this, her sophomore release. Cut for the Cadet label in 1969, Spice of Life ranges from soul and proto-funk to jazz and MOR-hued material. Shaw shines throughout, showing her power on politically charged, Aretha-styled cuts like "Woman of the Ghetto" and "Liberation Conversation," while also delivering supple interpretations of such traditional jazz fare as "Go Away Little Boy" (shades of Nancy Wilson). And with a gutsy take on "Stormy Monday," it's clear Shaw doesn't shrink from the blues either. Across this sound spectrum, arrangers Richard Evans and Charles Stepney envelope Shaw in unobtrusive yet exciting pop-soul environs, throwing kalimba runs (a few years before Earth, Wind & Fire picked up on the instrument), psych guitar accents, and bongo-fueled organ riffs into the mix. Their widescreen touch is particularly well essayed on strings-and-brass standouts like the Bacharach-inspired Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil composition "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" and Ashford & Simpson's "California Soul" (a classic reading heavily favored by the crate-digging set). A perfect way to get familiar with Shaw's impressive early work.


Tracks:

01. Woman Of The Ghetto
02. Stormy Monday
03. Where Can I Go
04. I'm Satisfied
05. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)
06. Liberation Conversation
07. California Soul
08. Go Away Little Boy
09. Looking Through The Eyes Of Love
10. Anyone Can Move A Mountain