Marlena Shaw – The Spice Of Life

Spice of Life is a 1969 album by Marlena Shaw. It finds Shaw expanding her sound beyond jazz into soul, funk and socially conscious songwriting, with orchestral arrangements by Charles Stepney and Richard Evans supporting her powerful, expressive vocals. Tracks such as “California Soul,” “Woman of the Ghetto” and “Liberation Conversation” showcase both her technical finesse and emotional urgency, making the album feel like a bold statement as much as a musical offering.

While it wasn’t a commercial hit at the time, Spice of Life has grown in stature over the years. Its fusion of groove, lyrical insight and lush, layered arrangements positions it as a key record in late 60s soul and jazz crossover. Listeners today often hear it as a precursor to later rare-groove and neo-soul movements, and a vivid example of how an artist can speak to both body and conscience in song.

Reviews

“Spice of Life is among the greatest albums of the decade, capturing the revolutionary spirit of the time in addition to the sweet soul sounds that had dominated the American mainstream.” — Far Out