California Soul
 | This article needs more citations. (September 2014) |
| "California Soul" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by the Messengers | ||||
| A-side | "Window Shopping" | |||
| Released | September 7, 1967 | |||
| Recorded | 1967 | |||
| Genre | Funk-soul | |||
| Label | Soul | |||
| Songwriter | Ashford & Simpson | |||
| Producer | Jeffrey Bowen | |||
| The Messengers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official audio | ||||
| "California Soul" on YouTube | ||||
"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.
- 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). 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."
- Marlena Shaw recorded a version in 1969, which appears on her album The Spice of Life.
- Stone Throw Records recorded a version in 2021, which would later be included in the intro for the September 2021 Apple Event.
Chart performance
Both the 5th Dimension's version and the Gaye-Terrell version were modest chart hits. The recording by the 5th Dimension performed better, reaching number 25 on the pop singles chart. Gaye and Terrell'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. 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 Simpson)
- Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
- Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
Certifications and sales
Marlena Shaw version
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) Sales since 2004 |
Platinum | 600,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ↑ Record World, July 27, 1968, p. 166
- ↑ "War & Peace : Edwin Starr". AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 11, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ↑ "Marlene Shaw - California Soul (Leygo Remix)- FREE DOWNLOAD". Soundcloud.com.
- ↑ "California Soul". YouTube. 7 December 2018.
- ↑ "Apple Event Opening Music - California Soul - September 2021". YouTube.com.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 222.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 225.
- ↑ The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 9: 1969, Motown/Hip-O Select, 2008, p.109
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". Radioscope. Retrieved 19 January 2025. Type California Soul in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Marlena Shaw – California Soul". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 30, 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type California Soul Marlena Shaw in the "Search:" field.
