Marvin Gaye "What's Going On - The Deroit Mix" (1971)

 

Stepping outside the Motown framework and operating as an individual artist, Marvin's personal expression reflecting the struggles of African-American life during the Vietnam War birthed a beautiful moment in musical history. Often considered one of the greatest records of all time by critics, What's Going On left me enamored by its grace, humanity and sorrows. Since then, its always been an enduring warmth to return too. Marvin's timeless voice a charm tragically lost from this world all too soon.

Hearing of an alternative mix to the record intrigued me greatly. Turns out this "Detroit Mix" is the original mixing before his associate Barry Gordy stepped in, who was against the album's theme long before it materialized. The subsequent changes elevated the symphony elements, the first change I noticed upon listening. It will be forever impossible to truly assess which mix better suits the music. On paper this more roomy, closer mix has an intimate quality, further authenticating Marvin's views.

Its string components are pushed back, the baseline feels neighborly, the saxophone more prominent, pushing forth the Jazz component. With a rawer voice, not overstated by layering and reverbs, this mix is admittedly less grabbing in tone. All nine songs are still beautiful and moving, reaching still through its intimate aesthetic.

With a deeply ingrained memory of the original as I knew it, this mix will always feel inferior despite offering up a cleaner take on the music. The spaciousness unlocked by its later design gives a crooning energy to the string sections. Marvin's overlapping vocal lines are magical, softer and soothing in presence. Although accompanying singers feel distant and a little less personal, pretty much all of the changes were for the best to my ears. Rawness and authenticity are not always the key principle in production. Embellishment and studio magic can bring so much if done right. For me, the original record is still the way to hear it.

Rating: 8/10

My Top 10 Music Discoverys In 2014

Its been a great year for music. I've seen a lot of live music and caught some amazing anniversary shows, like Emperor playing the whole of "In The Nightside Eclipse" ans Nas at Lovebox playing "Illmatic". Also got to see Sikth, Metallica, Eminem, Dog Eat Dog and Limp Bizkit a couple of times too. Theres countless more but seeing two of my all time favorite albums played in full was really something. I foolishly missed out on seeing Linkin Park play "Hybrid Theory" in full and Smashing Pumpkins with Marilyn Manson in London, but no need to dwell on the missed opportunities, next year I will aim to take them all! Beyond live music I've broadened my horizons and discovered more fantastic music, this list covers my top 10 new discoveries over the year, for my top 10 albums of 2014 click here.

(10) Kendrick Lamar

I was never expecting to find much in the way of modern Hip Hop, but this artist had what was great about the old and the new rolled into one. It gave me a better understanding and appreciation of the new era. ive since found myself enjoying a lot more Hip Hop from our current time.

 (9) Skee-Lo

Not the greatest of rappers, but Skee-Lo's style and sound is prime 90s, and I love 90s Hip Hop, after expansively exploring this era over the last few years there are not many leaves left to turn over, but Skee-Lo was a hidden gem that had some how alluded me, much like Kriss Kross possibly because of short lived commercial success at the time.

(8) Chelsea Wolfe

Simply a brilliant musician, Chelsea's dark and haunting psychedelic folk paints her a unique sound to my ears that is a welcome discovery, but one I have neglected to take beyond "Pain Is Beauty", must listen to more of her albums in 2015!

(7)  First Aid Kit

I've said a lot about these two already, my favorite album of 2014, and beyond that their other records are enjoyable too. A great discovery recommended by a reader here at the blog.

(6) Depeche Mode

Known about this band for as long as I can remember, but finally had some encouragement to give them a listen and found that I very much like what they are about. With such a large discography I'm sure I will be listening through their albums for some time to come.

 (5) Ministry

I've known about Ministry for a long long time, even listened to ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ a couple of times but this year their music just clicked for me. I brought a 5 album bundle at bargain price and never looked back. Incredible energy and anger in their music, my favorite discovery from my dive into Industrial Music.

(4) The Art Of Noise

"The Seduction Of Claude Debussy" Is a blinding album, it fit a niche for something I had always wanted to hear, a joining of old and new, Classical and Opera colliding with Jungle and DnB. The record itself is no experiment, this is a masterful execution and expression that utilizes the qualities of each and brings them together in unison, beyond the album they have a few other songs I like and have been a rewarding discovery.

(3) Marilyn Manson

I've been familiar with Marilyn's music since my youth, all my friends liked him, but for some reason it has taken me 15 years to get it, but its well worth the wait. Manson has his own genius and he flaunts it through his angry, rebellious music that has plenty of food for thought. I've really connected to his music and I'm eagerly anticipating a new album from him in 2015.

 (2) Marvin Gaye

I was drawn to the TV after hearing extracts from "Kind Of Blue" to find a great albums of past show, after Miles Davis came Marvin's "What's Going On" album. It stuck a nerve with me immediately, and I found myself at the mercy of his soulful voice which appealed to me through the subject matter. He could talk about our deep rooted societal issues, but package them with a warm reflection and positive perspective that spoke to me deeply. I brought the record instantly and it has been spun countless times since.

(1) The Smashing Pumpkins

Undoubtedly my favorite discovery this year, and maybe of the last few. Their a band I've always known of, but really had no idea what their about. After watching a documentary about them, it clicked, and listening through their albums one by one I've realized Billy Corgan is a musical genius and one I connect with. His sound is brilliant and unique, bringing influences from across the spectrum of Rock, Metal, Grunge and Alternative, but blending it all together and painting songs in his own color. I've enjoyed there first 4 records tremendously and theres still more to come.

Marvin Gaye "Whats Going On" (1971)

"Marvin Gaye, used to sing to me, he had me feeling like black was the thing to be, and suddenly the ghetto didn't seem so tough, and though we had it rough, we always had enough"..... I should have taken note at an earlier age, and how it took me so long to find Marvin is beyond me, his sweet soulful voice is medicine for blues. I find myself a little anxious and hesitant to write about this piece of music so powerful and beautiful I could never do it justice, but then again my words will never justify the experience of "listening", feeling the music, and this is music you will feel deep in your soul, but first lets talk a little about Marvin. Born in April of 39, Marvin was a singer / songwriter who rose to prominence through Motown Records in the 60s. Dealing with inner struggles, romantic endeavors and cocaine addiction, Marvin was a troubled soul with a beautiful talent and a captivating, soothing voice that touched the souls of many. His addictions and troubles would get the better of him through his career that came to a sudden and tragic end in 84 when he was shot by his father in circumstances that suggest he was aware of the fatal consequences fighting with his father would bring onto him.

Marvin's music was often inspired internally, but this conceptual album was inspired by life in the ghettos and the war in Vietnam, where he found himself asking, "Whats Going On?". Initially hesitant to support Marvin in his social conscious direction, this would turn out to be a huge hit and go on to become Motown's best selling album. The themes expressed are from the viewpoint of a Vietnam war vet returning home to America to find the struggles at home are worsening. Asking questions about the hardships of life and human behavior, Marvin finds a stunning balance between the negative and positive, offering uplifting melodies and messages alongside questioning the dark nature of war and poverty. Marvin's voice and the music work together in stunning harmony as infections soulful singing compliments moody, grooving instrumentals that are gently dramatic, harmonious and layered with instruments and percussion that give it a depth the keen ear can hear the genius subtleties in the quieter instruments. Theres fantastic variety from the large instrument pallet, many elements come in and out of focus in an organic and effortless manor, creating rich, colorful instrumentals that drive deep into the heart. The presence of the bass guitar is a consistent element through out that provides a solid emotional backbone for this record, offering up grooves and exploration playing that is constantly dancing on the fretboard. The inclusion of bongo drums in the percussive department is another fantastic element adding to the instrumental variety.

The record as a whole is a stunning musical experience, the songs move from one to the next in a continuous fashion that has some pretty obvious, rigid transitions in tempo and key that somehow sound great despite their obvious nature. The recording is heavenly, not even considering the era this album sounds cultured, colorful and bright. Their is a cluster of instruments detailing these tracks that are mixed and balanced sublimely, nothing is overpowering and everything is audible, capturing the character of all the instruments. Over it all Marvin's voice is glorious, mixed with many backing tracks, double takes and subtle choirs that breath so much energy and soul into the listener as Marvin's infectious vocal leads overlap, chime and dance with one another. Its a deep, powerful and beautiful listening experience, both for its glorious sound and socially conscious message that can make you feel good when tackling the harder subjects of our collective existence. Marvin shows the beauty in pain and gives strength to those who ask the questions.

Favorite Song: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
Rating: 10/10