Originally intended for 1972 release, this was Marvin Gaye's intended follow-up to the seismic, influential What's Going On, and was intended to be another socially-conscious "message" offering. It was never released and soon became a great "lost album", only surfacing in recent years.
Berry Gordy was not happy with Gaye's increasing political militancy and Gaye cancelled the album, no doubt under heavy influence from Gordy, and returned a year later with the late night loverman smoochy fare of Let's Get It On. To be fair, it is only really the first three or four songs that really convey issues, as the album progresses, the dim the lights love of the subsequent album are the dominating style. Personally, I really like it and, dare I say it, prefer it to its illustrious predecessor. It does not use the string backing in the same perhaps over-syrupy way and is funkier, bassier and more soulful. The themes are largely the same although they are more graphically hard-hitting in a way and maybe a little less pious too.
It is a more varied album, musically, as well. It functions as an album of different songs, as opposed to What's Going On, which followed a "one complete, connected suite" path. Had it been released it would be in many lists of classic albums by now.
Incidentally, several of the tracks have also turned up over the years on compilations like The Master and Gold.
You're The Man (Parts 1 & 2) is a funky rant against political corruption, financial disparity and a lot of the issues that had been dealt with on What's Going On. The backing is similar, although here it is bassier and deeper and less orchestrated. "Politics and hypocrites is turning us all into lunatics..." sings Gaye, leaving us in no doubt that he is brassed off. Religion is the answer, he says, the "man" of the song's title being God. Gaye and Curtis Mayfield were certainly telling it as it was in 1972. Listen to that great wah-wah guitar too.
Piece Of Clay is a fine piece of piano-driven gospelly soul that features a great vocal while Where Are We Going? is a great bit of funky soul. Gaye's voice soars on all of this material and, once again, there is a deeper, more "street" soul-funk sound to this track in particular. Lovely brass bits on it too.
I'm Gonna Give You Respect is a catchy, shuffling bit of funky, brassy soul. The sound on this is fantastic, again. Some more great funk can be found on the cookin' Try It, You'll Like It. It was such a shame that quality material like this remained hidden away for so long. It is the different nature of these songs that make it the better album to its predecessor, for me. It is superior to Let's Get It On too, for that matter. I know I will be in a minority of one with that opinion!
You Are That Special One is classic, upbeat and infectious Marvin Gaye soul. I love it. Check out that great bass line. Marvin whoops it up near the end, so it's not all doom and gloom. A loose, loving feel is heard on We Can Make It Baby, as Marvin provides a bridge between this period and the full-on luuurve of the next album. Absolutely top class soul. You just can't beat it.
A What's Going On-style lush backing is found on the sweet, late-night soul of My Last Chance. It is all saxophones and smooch, very much paving the way once more to the next album. A similar vibe continues on the polished, shuffling soul of Symphony. The chilled-out late night vibe is continued on the sumptuous I'd Give My Life For You. Woman Of The World is a bongo-driven addictive bossa nova-style number with some killer jazzy cymbal work.
The actual intended album may well have finished here, as the next few tracks contain an alternative version and two Christmas songs. Christmas In The City, however, is a laid-back piece of electric funk instrumental and containing not one sleigh bell. I Want To Come Home For Christmas is actually a soulful, anti-war song. I'm Going Home is an excellent funky groove with a bit of a Temptations early seventies feel about it.
The semi-instrumental Checking Out (Double Clutch) is another good bit of funk too. For me, those first twelve tracks make up Marvin Gaye's best ever collection of songs. Look, I know that sounds bizarre when put up against the huge influence and cultural value of What's Going On, but I just feel it would have been one hell of an album from him, a great mix of message and smooch. Furthermore, despite some criticisms of the sound I have read, I found the sound to be absolutely perfect - warm, well-defined and bassy. Great stuff.
