MARLENA SHAW Vinilo y CD

Review: This record comes at a sad time, as Marlena Shaw passed away in January 2024, the New York born soul singer with her unmistakable voice leaving a long list of amazing credits and performances when she departed. This magnificent double 7" focuses on her early years in the late 1960s, work she did on the highly influential Cadet label just before she moved to Blue Note. 'California Soul', 'Liberation Conversation', 'Let's Wade In The Water' and 'Woman Of The Ghetto' are all soul classics by the late songbird, and all gathered togethere here into one unmissable EP.

Review: By the time "Touch Me In The Morning" was mailed out to American DJs in 1979, Marlena Shaw has long since established herself as one of soul music's greatest voices. "Touch Me In The Morning" was merely a promo-only affair, remixed from the shorter "Take A Bite" album version - but it did become something of a dancefloor anthem in certain underground clubs. Here, the sought-after 12" is given a replica reissue, with the stomping, string-drenched title track being accompanied by exactly the same B-side cuts as the '79 pressing.