MARLENA SHAW — The Spice of Life (1969-2005) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 

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. Stephen Cook 
Tracklist :
 1    Woman Of The Ghetto 6:02
Written-By – Miller, Shaw, Evans
2    Call It Stormy Monday 3:01
Written-By – Walker
3    Where Can I Go 2:21
Written-By – Miller, Fuld, Berland
4    I'm Satisfied 2:48
Written-By – Dollison
5    I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) 3:12
Written-By – Taylor, Lamb
6    Liberation Conversation 2:03
Written-By – Miller, Shaw
7    California Soul 2:59
Written-By – Ashford-Simpson
8    Go Away Little Boy 2:45
Written-By – King-Goffin
9    Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love 3:00
Written-By – Mann-Weil
10    Anyone Can Move A Mountain 3:03
Written-By – Marks
Credits :
Composer, Main Personnel, Vocals – Marlena Shaw
Producer, Arranged By – Charles Stepney, Richard Evans