California Soul
1967 single by the Messengers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"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.
| "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 | ||||
Other recordings
- Nick Ashford 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]
- Stone Throw Records recorded a version in 2021, which would later be included in the intro for the September 2021 Apple Event.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] 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[9])
- 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)[10] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Sales since 2004 |
Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||