Soul Singer Gets Divorced, Gets Depressed, Retreats Deep Inside His Soul, Finds...Funk

Posted almost 4 years ago

Artist:
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Marvin Gaye
Album:
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Here, My Dear
Track:
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Time To Get It Together

First off, I like Jamiroquai and have purchased their music for years. I am no hater. I understand how folks think they were influenced by Stevie Wonder,but to my untrained ears, though, he gets a whole lot from Marvin. To me his entire sound and vision come from this source:Marvin Gaye's Here,My Dear. The funk, the extraterrestial trappings, and the general vibe of J's stuff hew pretty close to Here, My Dear. I am not going to retell the tale of Marvin's divorce, and how this album's proceedes were part of the settlement, but it is a good story, and if you haven't heard it, just wiki. What I will say, is this: Here, My Dear is not only Marvin Gaye's funkiest album, but his most personal, and pound for pound, might just be his best. Don't get me wrong What's Going On, is a great LP, but where are the drums? Hate me for saying so, but A/B the 2 records and see. I am ready to argue..Let's Get It On! (also a nice record)

Comments (15)

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mickimicki says Haha... when I read the title of your post in my mail, I would've bet some Euros on Marvin. Great album... and I have to admit the "history" surrounding its making and, ehem, economic function as part of his settlement (with the Gordy family..), send an additional shiver down my spine. It's not just a reflection of personal life, it's really what the title song says... Here, my dear, take this. Good question: Where were the drums on What's Going On? AFAIK, Marvin Gaye even started out as a drummer (and singer)... It's really hard to make a decision between the albums... and like you said, Let's Get It On isn't bad either. They're certainly albums from, and for different circumstances... but all of them good. I've also an extremely weak spot for some of the "seducer" stuff from I Want You (as well as Let's Get It On). Beats Barry White any day of the week, in my book... also love his "disco" tune, the name of which fails to come to me right now... the one on the 4th side of the live album, beat-wise it's quite similar to this one, actually. Man, Marvin Gaye was a hell of an artist! Thanks for the up :-D

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Cody B says A job ain't nothing but work, trap..whatever, if the axe comes, it comes. I am busted. I have to write these things up so fast, being at work,I prolly don't look over what I write so well. Oh, and that Steely Dan, he was an excellent songwriter, so many hits. And fuggetaboudit, when Tull blew that flute nations of men rose up and cheered him.

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Rawkkiddoh says Glad to see another Jamiroquai lover in the house. I have always liked him as well as Marvin here. I got this album from my parents when they were going to give away all of their old records, its one of my favorites

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Jshua says ahhhh man! You beat me to it -I love this album! Anna's Song is my favorite off of this one but more importantly, the conceptualization behind this one is great... J-

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Cody B says Micki, do you mean-Got to give it up? Also,killer.

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Cody B says Man, only 2 PM on friday here, and the bloom may be off the Funk rose for another week. Of course, I never feel constrained by days o' the week..only The JOB holds me back. Work is only thing that stops me from posting more funk, except for my dalliances in country and Grateful Dead land.

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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mousetrap says Forgive my picking a nit, Cody (ewwwww), but "*Jamiroquai*":http://www.jamiroquai.co.uk is a band, and Jay Kay, he of the steroid-enhanced headwear (Rogaine-enhanced too?), is its lead singer. !http://www.jamiroquai.co.uk/Images/ImageFile.aspx?ImageFileID=167! I'm just worried that your next post is gonna be something like, "Steely Dan - I love his music!" or "Jethro Tull - what a great flute player!" You _know_ I'm just messin' with ya. Back to Marvin though - he was _seriously_ funky. And what a voice. Oh yeah, and *SCREW* the job! What are they gonna do, fire ya? Oh, wait...

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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changling says Dang brother you've awakened and inspired me, a life long fan of Marv' (& Jk) but I'd never touched this album, heard bad press,(fool me) but it shall go in the collect'...Can't thank you enuff. And I totally agree with u JK is more of a Marv inspired creature though I'm sure he loves Stevie too...PEACE hun THANX

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Cody B says Welcome changling. Oh yes, Here My Dear is some nice Marvin. thank you for the praises. @nicki-For the completist, Marvin plays some monster drums on the Trouble Man soundtrack. Most notably, the oft sampled,drum powered instrumental- "T" plays it Cool. I bet a dime that everybody that's ever listened to hip hop for a minute has heard this one. ~Vqvq4h9ojsg.mp3~

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Cody B says Of course the track and comments above are meant for mickimicki as I continue to be unable to type.

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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soulrocket says i am not a big fan of lovers, but you got me with the "trouble Man" post. Ramiro-quai are ok though.

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Mike the Knife says Such a tragic tale, that of Mr. Gaye, but still such sweet soundage lives on...

Permalink posted 05/04/2007
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Jonh Ingham says Been a fave of mine since it came out. Amazing percusssion and vocal arrangements.

Permalink posted 05/05/2007
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Bartleby says Sorry, I'm late to the discussion... The cover may seem a bit cheesy today but I find it very effective. Marvin appearing as Roman slave contrasting with the classic lovers' kiss. I wonder who came up with the visual. Both cuts you've presented us with are splendid.

Permalink posted 02/21/2008
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Cody B says It was a gatefold cover as well with more pointed material inside and on the flip..The main image is a man's hand giving a piece of vinyl to a women's hand. underneath the hands a board that looks like a Monopoly board but is titled Judgement. Inside the jacket,the destruction of the temple on the cover is more stark..heavy handed yes, but I'm pretty sure he wanted it that way.

Permalink posted 02/21/2008