Marlena Shaw started her recording career as a sassy soul singer on jazz's famous Blue Note label. As disco hit the mainstream, she transitioned to that genre. She switched to the Columbia label in 1977 and that greatly helped her sales. Shaw inexplicably never hit the Billboard Top 40, but did place two singles in the R&B Top 40 and the following three hits on the Disco chart. Oddly missing from all charts is Shaw's disco cover of "Touch Me In The Morning," a fan favorite which includes a scorching trumpet solo from Bobby Bryant.
My favorite track of these three is "Love Dancin'" but you can't go wrong with a voice and attitude like Marlena's. Now a septuagenarian, she's still performing. And I'd bet she's still fantastic.
| Year | Peak | Weeks | Title | |
| 1977 | 24 | 7 | Pictures and Memories | |
| 1979 | 49 | 13 | Love Dancin' | |
| 1983 | 48 | 7 | Never Give Up On You |
It wasn't recorded and released during the decade 1976-1985, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my all-time favorite Shaw recording, 1969's simmering cover of "California Soul."
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