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Album of the Day: Marlena Shaw

8:23 a.m. · October 10, 2006 · by Matthew Gasteier

Marlena Shaw - The Spice of Life
Though she never really had a breakthrough single, Marlena Shaw was one of the great vocalists of the late 60s/early 70s, straddling the line between R&B and Jazz effortlessly (she later became the first female vocalist signed to Blue Note). The Spice of Life may be her most diverse offering, from the anthemic opener "Woman of the Ghetto" to the blues follow-up "Stormy Monday," right through to the straight soul of "California Soul" (below). And even if the production is a little overblown (though excellently executed), Shaw's voice can withstand it all. It's a passionate, stylistic voice that conveys an enormous amount of power, and it is the centerpiece of a career that shouldn't be overlooked by any soul fan.

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