What can I say. There has never been such a beautiful Marvin Gaye compilation. I've owned every LP, CD and DVD. This is the nicest thing I've ever seen on Marvin. But nuff about me. The sound quality on this-the remastering-is sensational in every way. I hear things I never heard on songs like "Grapevine," "Hitch Hike," "You," "What's Going On," "Inner City Blues," the list goes on. Also offered here for the first time are two previously unreleased songs. The newly discovered "Where Are We Going?" and the alternate version of the rare gem "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." Plus other rarities like the single only releases "You're The Man" and "Ego-Tripping Out." Another MAJOR point is that aside from the out-of-print boxed set "The Master," the is the only Motown compilation that has the CBS track-and final masterpiece from MG- "Sexual Healing." So you get EVERY HIT on these double CD set. Deluxe, beautiful digipak packaging (with photos I have never seen before) done by the same guys who brought us the other jewel of the year, "What's Going On (Deluxe Edition)." These are by far the best Marvin Gaye releases ever. Pick the latter up if you haven't done that yet. You will LOVE the unreleased, new song "Where Are We Going?" It sounds like it was recorded yesterday. The wonderful essay by Gaye biographer (and "Sexual Healing" author) David Ritz should not be overlooked. very refreshing. This CD is for all ages and colors.

While the music on this latest compilation is great, it's missing A VERY ESSENTIAL MARVIN CLASSIC....'After The Dance'!! This 2 CD set (nice packaging though!!) is a MAJOR FAILURE without 'After The Dance', and THERE IS enough room for it's inclusion (I remastered the set myself to include 'After The Dance' & more!!).

Also, instead of too many 'filler songs' from the so-so 'Here My Dear' CD, they could've (& should've!) included masterpieces like 'Save The Children', 'Flying High In The Friendly Sky', and Marvin's awesome 'Till Tomorrow' from his Midnight Love CD (1983). The rare track 'Where Are We Going ?' is nice, BUT by releasing this incomplete collection, Motown missed the boat AGAIN! (F.Y.I., the recently released Marvin Gaye 'Gold' 2 CD set is the EXACT SAME collection as this one, with new & terrible cover art!!)

I advise everyone to remaster this set (with the proper software) & do Marvin some justice, since Motown continues to miss the mark!!! In the end, you'll have a CD set to REALLY be proud of!

GRADE for 'The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye'
Cover Art/Packaging...5 Stars!!
Tracklisting gets...2 Stars!!
OVERALL GRADE...3-3.5 STARS!!

Remember it, as though it was yesterday ~ "I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE", an song and album from the late '60s...played it till' I wore it out...couldn't go anywhere back then and not hear this being played on the radio, local music stores or jukebox...a personal favorite of mine was ~ "AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH" and AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell blending their voices like angels, tunes that are still going strong even today...then this beautiful hymn ~ "HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW", is so inspirational (gives me chills everytime I hear it)...the first disc has duets with Kim Weston and Tammi Terell that are priceless...the second disc has classic recordings of ~ "MERCY MERCY ME(THE ECOLOGY)", "INNER CITY BLUES(MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER)" and "LET'S GET IT ON", back then a very suggestive title for its time...and the triumphant hit ~ "SEXUAL HEALING", once again Gaye proved he had his sensual romantic soulbound style intact, he was the man...this 2-CD-release shows the passionate and exuberant side of the artist and man ~ MARVIN GAYE...a must have for all fans young and old!

Total Time: Disc One 54:05 on 19 Tracks & Disc Two 76:09 on 15 Tracks ~ Hip-O 440-014-367-2 ~ (2001)

This comprehensive collection contains all Marvin's important American hits as well as highlighting other aspects of his music, including his political songs of the seventies. His British hits were sometimes different from his American hits. Three UK top ten hits are missing, though as this is an American compilation, there is no reason why they should have been included. Abraham Martin and John was an American hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - perhaps it was felt that Marvin's version was better for the UK market. You are everything, a duet with Diana Ross, made the UK top five. Onion song, a duet credited as being with Tammi Terrell but recorded with a stand-in, made the UK top ten.

The classic American hits (not all of which charted in Britain) are all here including Can I get a witness, How sweet it is, I'll be doggone, Ain't that peculiar, I heard it through the grapevine, Too busy thinking about my baby, That's the way love is. What's going on, Mercy mercy me, Trouble man, Let's get it on and Got to give it up. Some of his duets are here, too, including Ain't no mountain high enough, Your precious love, If I could build my whole world around you, Ain't nothing like the real thing, You're all I need to get by (all with Tammi Terrell) and It takes two (with Kim Weston).

Marvin always considered himself a balladeer like Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole rather than a typical R+B singer, but his early attempts to establish himself in this role were not a success. Eventually, he did gain acceptance as a balladeer after proving that he could do the R+B material - compare his definitive version of I heard it through the grapevine with the Gladys Knight version, released a year earlier. Marvin actually recorded the song before Gladys but Berry Gordy initially rejected his version. It shows what perseverance can do.

Marvin once again had Berry Gordy worried when he completed his anti-Vietnam album, What's going on. Motown had always been primarily a singles label so this album was completely alien to the marketing department, although it appears that many people at Motown loved it. Once again, Marvin was right. The album was a huge success and three of its tracks are here - they are the first three on CD 2.

This double-CD is a nice introduction to the music of Marvin Gaye, one of the finest soul singers of the twentieth century.

Marvin Gaye wrote the book of Motown. He brought style. He brought millions of fans to his side, and to Motown. His music has come in handy lately in the hard times America is going through right. His song "What's going on" was done by twenty or so artists in different ways and made into a cd benefiting victims of September 11. Remember the crazy clothing, the high platform boots. Remember his music. Remember him. Think what one song has done to help our nation. This cd brings out all his qualities. His first disc of the pair portrays the love appeal with 'Ain't no mountain high enough', "I heard it through the grapevine' and 'To busy thinkin' 'bout my baby' and others. The second disc has more insightful, deep songs like 'Inner City Blues' 'Where are we going' and 'What's going on'. It has the sex appeal in 'Let's get it on' and 'Sexual Healing'. And of course the a girl-heartthrob song 'Distant Lover' This awesome album brings out the best attributes in the legendary Marvin Gaye.