The Marvin Gaye Story

This generous two-disc compilation does an excellent job of tracing soul legend Marvin Gaye's career. It moves from his earliest, most pop-oriented recordings ("How Sweet It Is," "I'll Be Doggone") to his famed duets with Tammi Terrell ("Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing") and his later, more socially conscious work from the What's Going On era. Things kick off marvelously with the vibrant "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," where Gaye works his magic around sassy vocal assists from the Vandellas and a slightly Latin-tinged arrangement sporting flute and cowbell. Other stops along the way include songs from the ultimate make-out album Let's Get It On, the latter-day glory of the subtly sensual "Sexual Healing," and of course the immortal "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," the scorned-love anthem whose ominous intro alone is enough to secure Gaye a place in pop heaven. If you're interested in this R&B giant's music but just want one bases-covered collection, this is the definitive release for you.|