The 21st May, 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” album. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the album has been re-released by Tamla Records, a subsidiary of Motown Records. Forty years on, the “What’s Going On?” album remains one of the most prophetic and seminal albums to ever be recorded. The nine song album is a journey into the thought processes of one of the greatest Soul artists of all time. It’s not for me to acclaim him as the greatest Male Soul Singer, when he is in such illustrious and august  company as Sam Cooke, James Brown, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes to name but a few!! However one thing is for sure, Marvin Gaye is my favourite Soul artist, and that is undeniable!!

In early 1970, Marvin Gaye was coming out of a severe bout of depression, following the tragic, premature death of his duet partner and close friend Tammi Terrell. I’ve always felt that their relationship went much deeper than friendship; that they were soulmates and very much in love!! Following her death, Marvin Gaye vowed to never perform or record again. As a result, he made the decision to switch careers temporarily trialing for the National Football League’s professional team, the Detroit Lions. After failing to make the team, he came back into contact with Tamla Motown songwriter Al Cleveland and Obie Benson from the popular group, The Four Tops. The three of them collaborated on the now famous tune “What’s Going On?” The song was written for the Motown group, The Originals, but Al Cleveland and Obie Benson persuaded Marvin Gaye to perform the song.

Coinciding with this, at the end of the 1960s, Marvin Gaye had developed a strong compulsion to change the direction he was going in as an artist and musician. The world was changing around him and he felt the desire to vocalise and act as a spokesman for the horrors conducted against the Civil Rights movement at home and those inflicted on US soldiers in the Vietnam War abroad. From the correspondence he was receiving from his brother serving in Vietnam, Marvin Gaye’s desire became stronger to produce an album focussing on the topics of urban unrest, environmental issues, military unrest and the rampant police brutality inflicted against the negro communities across black neighbourhoods.

After recording “What’s Going On” Marvin Gaye was keen to have the song released as a single, but Tamla Motown Records boss, Berry Gordy was not in agreement, fearing that it would undermine Marvin Gaye’s image as a sex symbol and the trademark Motown sound. Intense discussions followed and as a result of the impasse, Marvin Gaye refused to release any more music until Berry Gordy agreed to his wishes. By the end of 1970, Berry Gordy conceded defeat and “What’s going On?” was released as a single in January 1971, to great critical acclaim.

Inspired by the success of the single “What’s Going On?,” Marvin Gaye returned to the studio, to complete the album in a mere ten days. A remarkable feat, when you consider the quality and creativity of the album. The album was uniquely constructed from the viewpoint of a Vietnam War Veteran returning home to a place that had changed beyond recognition, and not for the better!! Marvin Gaye accomplished this vision in a sublime way, providing a soundtrack to inform the listener of what was happening during that time in history. A true concept album, only equalled in my opinion by the Beatles’ “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark side of the Moon”!!

“What’s Going On?” featured the legendary Tamla Motown House Band, the Funk Brothers, playing instruments on all of the songs and the Andantes singing the background vocals as well as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra provided musical accompaniment on a few of the songs. Bassists, James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt, guitarist, Joe Messina, saxophonist, Eli Fountain, and percussionist Eddie “Bongo” Brown’s contributions stand out on songs such as “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” and “Save the Children.”

This album was a complete departure from the music Marvin Gaye and Tamla Motown were known for and it allowed all of the musicians involved to push beyond their creative limits. It helped to redefine what Soul music was and developed a template for other artists to follow in the coming decades.

The album’s second song “What’s Happening Brother” was co-written by James Nyx, Jr. and Marvin Gaye. It begins with a man returning home from fighting in the Vietnam War only to discover that his world is vastly different from what it used to be. The song was dedicated to Gaye’s younger brother, Frankie, who was returning home from a three-year stint in Vietnam.

The third song “Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)” was co-written by Marvin’s then wife, Anna Gordy and Elgie Stover. The song touches on the topic of heroin addiction.

The fourth song “Save The Children” was released as a single in the UK, but not in the United States. It peaked at No 41 on the UK Singles Chart and it dealt with having love for the children coming up in the next generation. The song was co-written by Al Cleveland and Obie Benson.

The fifth song “God Is Love” was recorded during the same time as “What’s Going On” during the summer of 1970. It was one of the few songs that Marvin Gaye expressed his faithfulness to the Lord and it marked a return to the gospel tradition that molded his musical upbringing. He dedicated the song to his father.

The sixth song “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” was the only song written solely by Marvin Gaye on the album. It explored the heavy issue of environmental transgressions. It featured Marvin Gaye playing the piano, Paul Riser orchestrating the strings section, and a saxophone solo by Wild Bill Moore.

The seventh song “Right On” featured a Latin soul sound that stood out from the rest of the album. The song was co-written by Earl DeRouen and Marvin Gaye. It spoke about the divisions between rich and poor among other issues that separate mankind from reaching our full potential.

The final two songs from the album “Wholy Holy” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” also featured the writing talents of Al Cleveland, Obie Benson and James Nyx, Jr. “Wholy Holy” was another religious song by Marvin Gaye and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” gave a staggering account of daily life in the ghettos of the United States and how difficult survival was for many families.

The single “What’s Going On” peaked at No 1 in the USA on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks and No 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Strangely it was not a hit in the UK!! The next two singles to be released from the album were “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).” Both “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” peaked at No 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart for two weeks. “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” peaked at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” peaked at No 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. For all the album’s critical acclaim in the UK, “Save the Children” was the only hit single taken from the album, and then only a minor success!!

The “What’s Going On?” album introduced the world to the depth and dimension of Marvin Gaye’s lyrical content, although let’s not dismiss the power of his other love and pop songs, especially those duets with Tammi Terrell and Diana Ross” ie “Onion Song” and “You are Everything”. The former he had total chemistry with; the latter was his nemesis, so much so they had to record “You are Everything” at separate times in the studio. It’s a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross’ professionalism and brilliance, that this song was pitch perfect when it came to harmonisation!! There was no such thing as a poor Marvin Gaye recording, whether it be the populist “I heard it through the Grapevine”, “Abraham, Martin and John”, “Let’s Get it On” “Got to give it up” or “Sexual Healing”. His legacy includes some wonderful three minute single releases, and somewhat ironically the best single was the least successful – “What’s Going On?”. For all his chart success though, Marvin Gaye’s defining career moment was a certain long playing album!!

In 1999, the UK newspapers the Guardian and the Observer named it as the “Greatest Album of the 20th Century.” and across the Atlantic Big Pond, in 2003, “What’s Going On?” was ranked No 6 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine placed “What’s Going On?” at No 4 on its list of the 500 greatest singles / songs of all time.

Ultimately what made Marvin Gaye one of the Soul Greats, is that he was very vulnerable, but was not afraid to wear his heart and soul on his sleeve. He had the voice of an angel, in contrast to the demons that haunted him all his life……and that’s why for me his best track was the autobiographical “Trouble Man”……

So why not celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” album, and mark this milestone with a song souvenir?…………You can get any of your favourite Marvin Gaye vinyl records or compact discs ( singles or albums ), framed and mounted, by clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively you can buy a Marvin Gaye “Song Souvenir” for a family member, or friend……this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration ie a 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Mother’s or Father’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

To celebrate this special 40th anniversary, record label Motown is releasing “What’s Going On” – Super Deluxe Edition, which features two CDs and one vinyl LP, 14 unreleased tracks, rarities, all complemented by an oversized booklet with two essays and rare photos from the original cover shoot.  The newly-remastered version of the original album features outtakes from sessions that led up to the recording of the LP, including the original mix of the title song, which was summarily rejected by Motown’s legendary Quality Control team.

The NEW Double CD / Vinyl Album Super Deluxe Edition Pack can be bought online through Amazon US or Amazon UK. Alternatively it can be purchased on the High Street in the UK, courtesy of HMV.

For those of a Digital persuasion, buy the download of the re-mastered “What’s Going On?” via iTunes US or iTunes UK.