What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
Released January 20, 1971
Format Vinyl record (7″ 45 RPM)
Recorded June 1, July 6, 7 and 10, September 21, 1970 – Hitsville USA (Studio A)
The legendary Marvin Gaye went through a metamorphosis in the early 70s along with many of the artists on Motown. They all reinvented themselves and Marvin went from being a pop star who sang duets with Tammi Terrell and Kim Weston to becoming a brilliant and politically astute songwriter, arranger, and composer. The late Gay(e), he added the “e” to avoid accusations, claimed he could not recall recording much of the music back then when he wasn’t high. A luminous composition from start to finish with Marvin singing melodic and prominent background harmonies to the urgency of the actual message, that is still, unfortunately, as relevant today. What’s Going On?
