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 
