Of course, Marlena Shaw’s most known record was “California Soul.”  Interestingly, the song was first performed by The Messengers. But it wasn’t until MS covered the song that it got big. That rendition has had a major influence on Hip-Hop and pop culture.

You may have heard the smash in movies and TV shows the likes of The Italian Job, The Lincoln Lawyer, All Things Must Pass, Pixie, the TV series Bad Sisters, and even the highly popular video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Over the years, the rap game has been sampling California Soul. Artists from Gang Starr, The Game and Jay Rock, Elzhi, Quasimoto, Jay Electronica, Laika to Xzhibit, and more have riffed or sampled the track in their music. 

Even though “California Soul” is Marlena Shaw’s most recognizable song, she had a slew of big records that you know, like “Feel Like Making Love,” “Loving You Was Like A Party,” and “Go Away Little Boy.” The song ”Is You or Is You Ain’t My Baby” – a cover no less earned her a Grammy nomination in 1990. 

Rest in Power, Queen.

from https://thesource.com