California Soul
{{about|the song by Ashford & Simpson|the album by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra|California Soul (album)}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = California Soul
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = the Messengers
| album =
| A-side = Window Shopping
| released = {{Start date|1967|09|07}}
| recorded = 1967
| studio =
| length =
| label = Soul
| writer = Ashford & Simpson
| producer = Jeffrey Bowen
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video
| 1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psPdoEsaToc "California Soul"] on YouTube
| header = Official audio}}
}}
"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 released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599.Record World, July 27, 1968, p. 166
- 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).{{cite web|title=War & Peace : Edwin Starr|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/war-peace-mw0000653637|website=AllMusic|access-date=January 4, 2023}} 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."{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=April 11, 1970|page=20|access-date=2021-12-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-04-11.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}
- Marlena Shaw recorded a version in 1969, which appears on her album The Spice Of Life.{{cite web | url=https://soundcloud.com/bbprecordings/marlene-shaw-califirnia-soul-leygo-remix-master | title=Marlene Shaw - California Soul (Leygo Remix)- FREE DOWNLOAD|website=Soundcloud.com }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUosSQZSw5c | title=California Soul | website=YouTube | date=7 December 2018 }}
- Stone Throw Records recorded a version in 2021, which would later be included in the intro for the September 2021 Apple Event.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGhCyGutlSc | title=Apple Event Opening Music - California Soul - September 2021|website=YouTube.com}}
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.{{cite book |title= The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=222}} 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.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=225}} 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 SimpsonThe Complete Motown Singles, Volume 9: 1969, Motown/Hip-O Select, 2008, p.109)
- Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
- Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
Certifications and sales
=Marlena Shaw version=
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Marlena Shaw|title=California Soul|award=Gold|certyear=2025|source=radioscope|access-date=19 January 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Marlena Shaw|title=California Soul|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|access-date=September 2, 2022|id=15732-4989-1|note=Sales since 2004}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{The 5th Dimension}}
{{Marvin Gaye singles}}
{{Marlena Shaw}}
{{authority control}}
Category:The 5th Dimension songs
Category:Songs about California
Category:Songs written by Valerie Simpson