The The Spice of Life

by Marlena Shaw

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	11/07/2025
Label:	Vampisoul
UPC:	0602488520843

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Marlena Shaw   Primary Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals
Charles Stepney   Conductor
Richard Evans   Conductor

Technical Credits

Charles Stephens   Arranger
Richard Evans   Audio Production,Arranger,Composer,Producer
Gerry Goffin   Composer
Sonny Miller   Composer
Ken Druker   Executive Producer
Billy Taylor   Composer
Bobby Miller   Composer
Barry Mann   Composer
Charles Stepney   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Marlena Shaw   Composer
Jerry Griffith   Design
Jayme Pieruzzi   Reissue Mastering
Bobby Lee Miller   Album Supervision
Bob Crawford   Cover Photo
Hollis King   Reissue Art Director
M. Shaw   Composer
Leo Fuld   Composer
Richard Lee Evans   Composer
Robert Eugene Miller   Composer
Sigmunt Berland   Composer
William Eugene Taylor   Composer
Nickolas Ashford   Composer
Stu Black   Engineer
Dave Purple   Engineer
T-Bone Walker   Composer
Johnny Marks   Composer
Bob Irwin   Reissue Mastering
Cynthia Weil   Composer
Carole King   Composer
Dick Dallas   Composer
Loonis McGlohon   Liner Notes
Valerie Simpson   Composer
Maurice Dollison   Composer
Aaron Walker   Composer
Morris Dollison   Composer
Ashford & Simpson   Composer
Bryan Koniarz   Reissue Producer