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Marlena Shaw Dies: Jazz/R&B Singer For Sampling Staple ‘California Soul’ Was 81
Singer Marlena Shaw, best known for her much-sampled hit, California Soul, has died at 81, according to a video posted to Facebook by her daughter, Marla. No details were given. “Hello everyone, it…
Shaw’s California Soul was an track on her 1969 album, The Spice of Life, but later became a highly sought-after record for early hip-hop samplers. The track was written by Ashford & Simpson and first recorded by The Messengers, and also became part of many television ads too. She continued to perform live into the 2000s, and recorded the theme song Don’t Ask to Stay Until Tomorrow for the 1977 film, Looking for Mr. Goodbar.
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