Released on 17/01/11. Marlena Shaw is one of America’s most diversely talented female vocalists from the last 50 years. With a career spanning over 5 decades, her music has been sampled and covered by countless artists of all genres and has touched the lives of people all over the globe. Marlena Shaw started her career singing in jazz clubs after her uncle introduced her to music through his record collection of jazz greats. In 1966 she signed to the legendary Chicago- based Soul label, Chess records and released her first two albums on their subsidiary label Cadet Records while simultaneously fronting the incredible Count Basie Band.

Marlena became the first woman to sign with the Blue Note record label and released five critically acclaimed albums starting with Marlena and including the controversially titled Who Is This Bitch Anyway. 1977 saw the release of Sweet Beginnings, her first album on Columbia Records. Sweet Beginnings was a notable success gaining a top 10 US Pop and a #21 position on the US R&B Singles chart with Yu-Ma/Go Away Little Boy. The music on Sweet Beginnings is as impressive and varied as Marlena Shaw s talent. From the upbeat opener, Pictures And Memories, to the sweet soulful styling of JOHNNY and the Jazz infused Look At Me, Look At You (We’re Flying) which became a big hit with UK Soul audiences when released as a single.


Tracklisting:

1. Pictures And Memories
2. Yu-Ma
3. Go Away Little Boy
4. The Writing Son The Wall
5. Walk Softly
6. Sweet Beginnings
7. Look At Me, Look At You (We’re Flying)
8. No Deposit, No Return
9. Johnny
10. I Think I’ll Tell Him
Bonus Track:
11. Pictures And Memories (Single Version)

Cover artwork: