If you’ve never heard Marlena Shaw’s music before, you might still be familiar with a few of her songs. The distinctive string sample on Gang Starr’s »Check The Technique« comes from the singer’s 1969 song »California Soul«. DJ Premier and Guru didn’t have to look far. They are part of a large group of musicians who have drawn on Shaw’s work: Quasimoto, The Game, Elzhi, DJ Shadow, Nightmares On Wax, Dan The Automator, Stereo MC’s… Jazzman Records is paying tribute to the singer, who died on 19 January 2024 at the age of 84, with a set of two vinyl 7″s. Four of her greatest hits are »California Soul«, »Liberation Conversation«, »Let’s Wade In The Water« and »Woman Of The Ghetto«. For all the groove, danceability and catchy verses, Shaw’s messages are never lost. »We must all have identity/That’s the only way that we can be free«, she sings on the spine-tingling »Woman Of The Ghetto«. On »Liberation Conversation« she repeats the mantra »Blues ain’t nothing but a good woman gone bad«, punctuating it with scat passages. Shaw uses her voice in a variety of ways, always sounding confident and technically adept. Despite the limited song selection, Shaw’s abilities are well covered. Which takes us back to the start of the review. If you’ve never heard of her before, the »Marlena Shaw EP« is a good place to start.
Marlena Shaw EP
