***REISSUED ON GREEN VINYL!!! Originally released in 1971. "What's Going On is not only Marvin Gaye's masterpiece, it's the most important and passionate record to come out of soul music, delivered by one of its finest voices, a man finally free to speak his mind and so move from R&B sex symbol to true recording artist. With What's Going On, Gaye meditated on what had happened to the American dream of the past -- as it related to urban decay, environmental woes, military turbulence, police brutality, unemployment, and poverty. These feelings had been bubbling up between 1967 and 1970, during which he felt increasingly caged by Motown's behind-the-times hit machine and restrained from expressing himself seriously through his music. Finally, late in 1970, Gaye decided to record a song that the Four Tops' Obie Benson had brought him, 'What's Going On.' When Berry Gordy decided not to issue the single, deeming it uncommercial, Gaye refused to record any more material until he relented. Confirmed by its tremendous commercial success in January 1971, he recorded the rest of the album over ten days in March, and Motown released it in late May. Besides cementing Marvin Gaye as one of the most important artists in pop music, What's Going On was far and away the best full-length to issue from the singles-dominated Motown factory, and arguably the best soul album of all time." --John Bush, AllMusic. Pressed on green vinyl in gatefold sleeves.
LP $36.75
10/25/2024
***Despite his huge success with his 1970 political concept album, What’s Goin’ On?, MARVIN GAYE left social concerns behind for those of a more intimate nature. Originally released in 1973, this album broke new ground gaining its place in history as one of the most sexual albums ever recorded, laying the basis for every slow jam ever after and making Gaye both socially concerned and sexy, a potent commercial combination. Contains 15 bonus tracks.
2XLP $33.50
05/13/2016