Motown Remembers Marvin Gaye

          New CD Release Date, May 26th, 2009, Released Under the “Universal Japan” Label.

You know, I can remember the years of the 1960s’, and continuing on into the early 1980s’ as some of the most disturbing and unsettling years in my life.   In those years the Viet Nam War was raging; while hippies were frying their brains on L.S.D. in their search for love with, “Make Love, Not War,” being the Hippie’s popular slogan of the time.     

I suppose it was their attempt to escape the harmful bloodshed occurring with the Viet Nam war; which we were able to watch “Live” nightly via the newly introduced television set.   Things in my personal life were not much better.  I watched my older sisters shooting themselves up with Heroin, and my parents drown away the sorrow in their lives after work, drinking martinis while watching their favorite television show, “Gun Smoke,” in their attempt to escape those rapid and troubling changes going on in our society at that time.  Yes these were unsettling times, causing many people to look for a way to escape the drastic changes taking place.

I was too young for drugs and alcohol, and not old enough to be drafted; so I turned to music for my solace and inspiration; choosing inspiration rather than mind numbing intoxication, or patriotic bravado as my higher contemplation.   My favorite and most inspiring artist, who I absolutely love to this day, is and will always be, the genius, Mr. Marvin Gaye.    This deeply inspiring musical visionary is most responsible for the evolution of Motown’s popular R&B music of the time.  This graceful tenor with a three-octave vocal range, won the interest of Berry Gordy, Jr. who signed him to the Motown label in 1961.   His work at Motown introduced powerful R&B licks, moving, stylish, and sophisticated soul; finally arriving at the intensely political and personal form of his artistic self-expression with my favorite album titled, “What’s Going On.”  

I can still remember sitting in my room to escape the drama outside my door listening to, “Oh, Mercy, Mercy, Me. Things aren’t what they used to be.”   Even though the statement rang true in the song as well as in our time both then and now; Marvin Gaye never closed the door to his insight without showing the light at the end of the tunnel!  His music left you with a sense of love and hope despite the times.   I will always love him for that.

The new CD “remix” scheduled to be released on May 26th, 2009, under the “Universal Japan” label, is said to be an odd collection of vault items, alternate takes, B-sides, and leftovers that Motown originally released due to the many bootleg sets that were threatening to exploit Marvin’s work after his tragic death in 1984.  I remember when this was occurring and I felt very upset and disappointed with our humanity that people would actually attempt to take advantage of someone’s death!    Inspiration will never become something that you can put a price on.   The timeliness of inspiration reaches into eternity; as I am sure does the immortal work of this greatly inspired artist, Mr. Marvin Gaye.   I am sure that he is, has been, and will always be a Neothink® Society Inspired Visionary with whom I will sit and listen to again!   He has truly helped me to continue to live an “Undefeated Life.”

 Popular Songs by Marvin Gaye include:

1. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

2. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby

3. Mercy Mercy Me

4. Sexual Healing

5. I Want You