From California to New Orleans

Marlena Shaw: California Soul
From The Spice of Life [Cadet, 1968]

This was the best $80 I've spent. Not only did I get a record that's been on my want list for years, but all of the money is going towards Soulstrut's Relief Effort through the Heatrock program that dstill described last week. Dudes on there are donating crazy rare records that are literally once in a lifetime type pieces. Stark Reality, Klute, Meters like whoa!!! Props to everyone involved over there.

But back to the music. I received my copy of Spice of Life today and again couldn't be happier to not only have this wonderful music, but to be donating to such a worthy cause. Shaw's single "California Soul" is the OG Cali anthem, and since it's inclusion on Brainfreeze has been highly sought after in both 45 and LP form. The entire album is solid from front to back, and the cool thing about it is that whenever I listen to it I'll always remember it's origins, and the hope it's helping rebuild.