Editor’s Note: From Albumism’s inception back in 2016, we’ve remained unabashedly and unequivocally passionate about our mission of celebrating the world's love affairs with albums past, present and future.
But while our devotion to the album as an art form has remained steadfast, as evidenced by our deepening repository of individual album tributes and reviews, we’ve admittedly seldom taken the opportunity to explicitly articulate our reverence for the virtues of artists’ complete album repertoires as a whole.
Hence why we’ve decided to showcase what we believe to be the most dynamic discographies of all time in this recurring series. In doing so, we hope to better understand the broader creative context within which our most beloved individual albums exist, while acknowledging the full breadth of their creators’ artistry, career arcs, and overall contributions to the ever-evolving musical landscape.
We hope you enjoy this series and be sure to check here periodically for the latest installments.
MARVIN GAYE
Studio Albums: The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye (1961) | That Stubborn Kinda Fellow (1963) | When I'm Alone I Cry (1964) | Hello Broadway (1964) | Together (with Mary Wells) (1964) | How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You (1965) | A Tribute to the Great Nat "King" Cole (1965) | Moods of Marvin Gaye (1966) | Take Two (with Kim Weston) (1966) | United (with Tammi Terrell) (1967) | I Heard It Through the Grapevine a.k.a. In the Groove (1968) | You're All I Need (with Tammi Terrell) (1968) | M.P.G. (1969) | Easy (with Tammi Terrell) (1969) | That's the Way Love Is (1970) | What's Going On (1971) | Trouble Man (1972) | Let's Get It On (1973) | Diana & Marvin (with Diana Ross) (1973) | I Want You (1976) | Here, My Dear (1978) | In Our Lifetime (1981) | Midnight Love (1982) | Dream of a Lifetime (1985) | Romantically Yours (1985) | Vulnerable (1997) | You’re the Man (2019) | Readers’ Poll
From inauspicious beginnings attempting to become a Sinatra style crooner, Marvin Gaye became the prince of Motown and revolutionized the company along the way. Looking at his 1960s output, it seems incomprehensible that one singer could have so many classic songs—from the million-selling favorite of mine “Ain’t It Peculiar” to the gargantuan “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” through timeless duets with Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell, his ‘60s output would alone be enough to ensure his legend.
But the 1970s dawned with a concept album to change not just Motown’s raison d’etre, but music in general. What’s Going On was a sanctified wail of admonishment to a world gone crazy, ripped apart by systemic racism, the Vietnam war and environmental catastrophe. Just like his musical kin (Stevie Wonder) he embarked on a run of albums that showcased a different facet of his artistry, all the while pioneering the angelic layering of vocals that came to be one of his calling cards.
Following the era-defining What’s Going On, he composed Trouble Man to accompany the film of the same name, the deeply sexual (and slightly scandalous) Let’s Get It On and the neo-soul inspiring work with Leon Ware on I Want You. But lurking at the end of the decade was another masterpiece. Ostensibly a concept album about his marriage to Anna Gordy Gaye, Here, My Dear revealed a broken, bitter man on the edge.
With each of those 1970s albums, his voice was required to do entirely different things and his vocals delivered at every turn. From prowling, leonine loverman, to brittle, broken shell, his voice was incredibly adept at reflecting the subject matter of this flawed and troubled artist. He could sing anything and I would listen, rapt.
Patrick’s 3 Favorite Marvin Gaye Albums of All Time:
1. What’s Going On (1971)
2. Here, My Dear (1978)
3. Let’s Get It On (1973)
VISIT Marvin Gaye’s Official Store
LISTEN & WATCH: