Expansion Records

If you are a fan of "Sophisti-soul" and the late-night, velvet-smooth sound of Los Angeles in the early 1980s, EXPAND112 is a masterpiece of the genre. Leon Ware was the architect of the sensual "Quiet Storm" sound (famously producing Marvin Gaye's I Want You), and this 12-inch pairs him with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer for a jazz-inflected soul classic.The Product: Leon Ware – Why I Came To California / Janis Siegel – This Is For RealLabel: Expansion / ElektraFormat: 12" Vinyl Single (33 ⅓ RPM)Catalog Number: EXPAND112 Release Year: 2016 (Reissue)Side A: Leon Ware – "Why I Came To California"A sun-drenched, mid-tempo anthem that captures the spirit of the West Coast soul scene. It features a lush arrangement, bubbling synthesizers, and Janis Siegel’s incredible backing vocals. This track is a permanent fixture at soul weekenders and rooftop parties, prized for its "feel-good," breezy energy.+1Side B: Janis Siegel – "This Is For Real"Produced by Jay Graydon (the man behind the "West Coast" AOR sound), this is a sophisticated, rhythmically complex soul-jazz track. It perfectly complements the A-side, offering a slightly more technical but equally soulful listening experience.Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures1. The "West Coast" Dream Team"Why I Came To California" features the absolute elite of the 1982 Los Angeles session scene.The Fact: The track features Steve Gadd on drums and Abraham Laboriel on bass.The Figure: This level of musicianship is why the track has such a deep, "locked-in" groove. It represents the "AOR-Soul" crossover point where jazz proficiency met dancefloor sensibility.2. The Leon Ware / Marvin Gaye ConnectionLeon Ware’s solo work on Elektra is often viewed as the natural successor to the work he did with Marvin Gaye.The Nuance: "Why I Came To California" carries the same atmospheric "haze" and sensual vocal layering found on Gaye’s I Want You sessions. For many collectors, this is Leon’s solo career peak.3. The 12-Inch "Full Length" AdvantageWhile "Why I Came To California" was released as a 7-inch, the 12-inch version on EXPAND112 is the preferred choice for DJs.The Impact: The 12-inch allows the instrumental outro to breathe, giving the percussion and bassline more space to drive the dancefloor.The Scarcity: Original US 12-inches on Elektra were often promos and are increasingly difficult to find without significant surface noise. This Expansion reissue is pressed on heavyweight vinyl for maximum audio fidelity.4. The Janis Siegel "Secret Weapon"The inclusion of Janis Siegel’s "This Is For Real" on the B-side makes this a "Double-Sider" for collectors.The Fact: Janis is better known for her work in the jazz-vocal group The Manhattan Transfer, but this solo track proved she was a top-tier soul-fusion vocalist. It has become a cult classic on the UK's "Sophisti-soul" and Jazz-Funk circuits.Why the 12-inch is EssentialFeatureOriginal 7" EditExpansion 12" (EXPAND112)"California" Length3:304:10 (Full LP Version)B-Side StrengthOften a different artistJanis Siegel "This Is For Real"Audio QualityCompressedDeep Bass / Wide SoundstageVibeRadio FriendlyLate-Night Club FeelTechnical Specs for CollectorsMastering: Expansion utilized the original Elektra/Warner masters. The sound is exceptionally "warm," emphasizing the analog synthesizers and the subtle percussion that can get lost on digital versions.Tempo: Side A sits at approximately 102 BPM, making it the perfect transition record to bring the energy of a room up without jumping into high-BPM disco.Collector's Tip: If you enjoy the Leon Ware sound, you should also look for EXS015 (Ronn Matlock). Both artists shared a similar Detroit-to-LA trajectory and focused on high-production, sophisticated soul that matured in the early 1980s.