What’s Going On

🌧️ Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Tamla/Motown, 1971)

Some albums ask questions. What’s Going On listens for answers. Born from personal grief and national unrest, this LP is Marvin Gaye’s response to a world unraveling—Vietnam, poverty, police brutality, environmental decay. But it’s not angry. It’s tender, mournful, and deeply human.

The album opens with the title track, a seamless blend of jazz, soul, and gospel. Gaye’s voice is layered—lead and background vocals intertwining like a conversation with himself. The groove is gentle, the strings lush, and the lyric a plea: “Mother, mother / There’s too many of you crying.” On vinyl, the analog warmth reveals the breath in every phrase, the subtle lift in the congas, the spatial realism of the ensemble.

“What’s Happening Brother” and “Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)” follow with emotional contrast. The former is upbeat but uncertain, the latter a haunting meditation on addiction. Gaye’s vocal phrasing is elastic, his delivery intimate. The arrangements are tight but breathable—James Jamerson’s bass lines, David Van De Pitte’s orchestration, and the Detroit session players all contribute with ensemble humility.

“Save the Children,” “God Is Love,” and “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” form the album’s spiritual and environmental core. “Mercy Mercy Me” is especially poignant—a lament for the planet rendered with melodic grace and lyrical restraint. Gaye doesn’t preach—he mourns.

“Right On” and “Wholy Holy” stretch out into meditative grooves. The former is a jazz-soul jam with political undertones, the latter a gospel-inflected hymn of unity. Gaye’s voice floats above the mix, never overpowering, always inviting.

The album closes with “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” a rhythmic cry of frustration and fatigue. The groove is hypnotic, the lyric direct: “Crime is increasing / Trigger happy policing.” It’s not just a song—it’s a mirror.

The production is lush but never excessive. Gaye co-produced the album himself, crafting a sonic landscape that’s immersive and intentional. The mastering on vinyl preserves the analog depth—horns, strings, percussion, and vocals all placed with care. Studio monitors will reveal the full fingerprint, but even modest setups will capture the emotional arc.

Visually, the album cover is understated and powerful. A close-up of Gaye in a rain-slicked coat, gazing contemplatively into the distance. The blurred background, the water droplets, the quiet dignity—it’s a portrait of presence, not performance.

What’s Going On is not just a collection of songs—it’s a curated emotional and philosophical journey. It honors the ensemble, the lyric, and the listener’s capacity for empathy and reflection. It’s soul music that listens as deeply as it speaks.

Whether you’re revisiting these tracks or discovering them for the first time, this LP offers a listening experience that’s both grounded and transcendent. It’s not just an album—it’s a prayer, pressed in vinyl and waiting to be heard.