American soul and jazz singer Marlena Shaw, best known for her hit single ‘California Soul’, has passed away at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by her daughter Marla on her official Facebook page on 19 January 2024. She said, “She was peaceful, we were at peace.”
Shaw’s ‘California Soul’ was originally recorded as a humble album track on the artist’s 1969 LP ‘The Spice of Life’. However, it later became a highly sought-after record for rare groove collectors and early hip-hop samplers. The song was heavily sampled by Gang Starr on their 1990 single ‘Check the Technique’, and has also been interpolated by artists such as DJ Shadow, Diplo, and Nightmares on Wax. The track, which was written by Ashford & Simpson and first recorded by The Messengers, became a popular choice for television advertisers too. It currently has over 100 million streams on Spotify.
Shaw began singing in New Rochelle’s jazz clubs in the early 1960s. She left her mark after being signed by Chicago blues/R&B label Chess Records in 1966. She continued to record a series of albums over the next four decades, including 1977’s ‘Sweet Beginnings’ on Columbia Records, the highest charting record of her career.
Fans of Marlena Shaw have since paid tribute to her on social media. DJ Soul Sister tweeted “May soulful pioneer Marlena Shaw rest peacefully in the Spirit. My condolences to her family” while SoulTracks said, “Tonight we say a sad goodbye to R&B and jazz legend, the great Marlena Shaw.”
Shaw’s music influenced generations of soul and jazz singers. Her memory will live on through her iconic recordings which continue to be enjoyed by fans worldwide.
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