House, R&B, Soul & Rap > G House, R&B, Soul & Rap > Gaye, Marvin

Advantages: All of his most enthralling work are captured on these disc
Disadvantages: Would have liked to have seen a few more rarities added on

...Fellow was one of his very best early hits. The formulaic though enduring Motown sound is fully at work on this classic with Gayes' distinctive vocals seamlessly surfboarding along the somwhat complex musical arrangements. Hitch Hike, Can I Get A Witness? and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby also encapsulates that familiar and distinct Motown sound of its golden era in the 1960's and all three are instantly contagious from the musical arrangements ...
...and style of its own. During Motowns golden era of the 1960's, Gaye worked with many of the labels most talented female singers. His phenomenal duet with the underated Kim Weston on the sparse, It Takes Two, sounds just as fresh and as vibrant as it was back then. But it was the divine Tammi Terrell (who was married to David Ruffin, one-time lead singer of The Temptations) that he found his perfect duet partner. Gaye and Terrell cut many albums and ... Read review

Advantages: one of the true greats
Disadvantages: none at all whatsoever in any way shape or form

Not an easy one to approach ,a bit like trying to review the bible or Star Wars ,if you are one of the few people who havent heard "Whats Going On",then i can only urge you to try it ,this review will not make any difference as such but an idea of whats contained within may whet your appetite . The "masterpiece "accolades have poured thick and fast since this l.p was released in 1971 on the slowly fading Tamla Motown label,any expectations based ...
...applicable ,this record was a one off and the first of its kind ,from the sax floated title track to its gospel infused conclusion of "Inner City Blues ",everything in between is linked like movements in a symphony as Marvin Gaye unleashes his own frustration and sadness on the state of America (circa1971) . If you are familiar with the title track then nothing on this album veers too far away from that glorious floaty despair,each songs soul bleeds ... Read review

Advantages: True genius of a soul legend.
Disadvantages: None

In the early 90’s Janet Jackson said of Marvin Gaye “He’s our John Lennon……The longer he’s gone the more young people appreciate his art. What’s going On was a work of genius far ahead of it’s time.” The similarities are recognisable, both had successful pop careers in the 60’s, Lennon with the all conquering Beatles and Gaye as an artist in the Motown records stable. As music drew away ...
...a political message into their music realising they could use their position of influence to comment about the current state of the World. Musically , both were innovative and they were both prepared to change vocal styles to differentiate their new work. Lennon was to use a much more coarse and rawkish sound on tracks like ‘Instant Karma’, whereas Gaye liked a new laid back style, evident on this album and later tracks such as ‘Let’s ... Read review

Advantages: The timeless Sexual Healing
Disadvantages: None!

...album would be the classic, Midnight Love, which though offered no social commentary or made any sort of profound political statement like much of his previous efforts had, it still stands as a compelling, solid production and a last triumph for the unbeatable legend of soul. Marvin wrote all 8 songs on the album and also is credited as playing the rolling drum beats, synthesisers and bongos that can eratically be heard throughout each recording. ...
...The title track, Midnight Love opens the project. Containing multi-layered and complex musical arrangements, the synthesises effect are worked miraculously into a a startling combination of early 80's disco/pop/r&b. The track is a jamming affair with some shrewd vocal trade-offs where Marvin adds his own backing vocals. A nice beginning to the album. Sexual Healing is perharps one of Marvin Gayes signature tunes. Its a song everyone knows all the ... Read review

Advantages: All the dance tracks are of the highest quality
Disadvantages: Lyrics aren't the best

...1. Intro 2. Beat'n Down Yo Block I felt that there were similarities between this track and others which artists from the region have come out with. The closest track to it for me is Jibbs' "King Kong", as these both refer to the booming sound which their cars make as they enter a neighbourhood. I felt that it was a good way to introduce the album as Unk tells you that the LP should be played so the whole street can hear it. **Four Stars** 3. ...
...heard from Unk, way back in 2006, and as I had just got into the Snap form of rap after hearing a little Soulja Boy and Dem Franchize Boyz, this played up to exactly what I wanted to here; a big dance track from Atlanta. it seems as though if you make a dance rap track in any of the big southern cities of the US, and accomplany it with an actual dance; , you are bound to do well. This is the case with this track as it blew up the clubs in the Dirty ... Read review