California Soul Explained

California Soul
Type:	single
Artist:	the Messengers
A-Side:	Window Shopping
Recorded:	1967
Genre:	Funk-soul
Label:	Soul
Producer:	Jeffrey Bowen

"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 then released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599.^[1]
• 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).^[2] 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."^[3]
• Marlena Shaw recorded a version in 1969, which appears on her album The Spice Of Life.^{[4] [5]}

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.^[6] 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.^[7] 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^[8])
• Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers

Certifications and sales

Marlena Shaw version

Notes and References

1. Record World, July 27, 1968, p. 166
2. Web site: War & Peace : Edwin Starr. AllMusic. January 4, 2023.
3. News: CashBox Record Reviews. April 11, 1970. 20. 2021-12-08. Cash Box.
4. Web site: Marlene Shaw - California Soul (Leygo Remix)- FREE DOWNLOAD. Soundcloud.com .
5. Web site: California Soul . . 7 December 2018 .
6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition . Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 222.
7. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 225.
8. The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 9: 1969, Motown/Hip-O Select, 2008, p.109