California Soul

"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.[1] 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.

This article is about the song by Ashford & Simpson. For the album by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, see California Soul (album).
"California Soul"
Single by The Messengers
A-side"Window Shopping"
ReleasedSeptember 7, 1967 (1967-09-07)
Recorded1967
GenreFunk-soul
LabelSoul
Songwriter(s)Ashford & Simpson
Producer(s)Jeffrey Bowen

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.[2] 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.[3] 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

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version

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."[5]

Certifications and sales

Marlena Shaw version
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[6]
Sales since 2004 		Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Record World Magazine July 27, 1968, page 166
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 222.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.
  4. The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 9: 1969, Motown/Hip-O Select, 2008, p.109
  5. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 11, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  6. "British single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
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