Genius (5 Stars)

There really isn't much to be said that the previous reviewers haven't said already. This is Marvin Gaye at his best. I grew up in the same neighborhood as Marvin Gaye. I even share the same last name as Marvin Gaye. But until about 2 years ago, I had never heard this album. I have ALL of Marvin Gaye's other albums, but I never got this one until 2 years ago. And even after I got it, it sat on my bookcase for another 8 months. Why? Simple, there was no rush to get to it. I believed that "Let's Get It On" was Marvin's best work at the time, so I figured this LP wouldn't be as good. Boy was I wrong. I almost feel cheated. This is easily Marvin's bets work, and that's saying a lot. I believe all of his albums are classics in their own right, but he outdid himself in a way that goes beyond explanation. This is one of those albums that stains your brain so that you never forget it. I encourage all, young or old, to go out and get this album if you haven't heard it already. Don't cheat yourself like I did. This album is a masterpiece.



Standout Tracks: The Entire Album

I Want More from "I Want You"

I love and cherish the vibe and flow of "I Want You". It's an essential Marvin release, and I highly recommend the music, but not this particular CD. Please allow me to explain by asking the following, "Has anyone who purchased this remastered version ever opened the booklet? It's empty, yes, it's totally blank. The packaging is bereft of liner notes, sentiments, lyrics, photos, or any chart information. I was seriously looking forward to flipping through heartful sentiments written either by Robert Palmer (who covered "I Want You" years later), Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, anyone at Motown for that matter or even Madonna (who was heavily influenced by this album). I totally blame Motown for this conceptual oversight, yet I believe the double disc version contains what this CD lacks in visual material. I'm thinking the Motown execs would only splurge if earning potential increased by issuing a bloated double disc, deluxe edition. For someone supposedly natured and cultivated the sound and vibe of Young Black America, Berry Gordy sure is greedy, Berry Greedy - ha, ha. But I digress. Thus I burned myself a copy of "I Want You" and sold the CD right here on Amazon.com.

Lovely vocals, classy production, another winner!

I would actually give this album four-and-a-half stars. Another succulent suite from Marvin Gaye, I WANT YOU features some of his smoothest production work and some very moving vocals. Considering the obvious emphasis on romanticism and sex, it would be easy to view I WANT YOU as a rewrite of LET'S GET IT ON. While both albums are sensual and multilayered, the two discs actually have a completely different feel. LET'S GET IT ON was a sheer erotic jolt, while I WANT YOU is more of a psychological probing of the complications of love and sex.



The big hit is the majestic title song (#15 Pop, #1 R&B) and it perfectly encapsulates the theme and mood of the entire album. Given the sensual nature of the material, it's surprising that I WANT YOU is such a leisured and melancholy album. In spite of some suggestive lyrics, "Come Live With Me Angel" and "Since I Had You" are filled more with anguish than lust. The closing "After The Dance" is the disc's most reflective number, though Marvin even performs the songs he didn't write ("All The Way Around," the title song) with an uncommon emotional intensity.



As we had come to expect from Marvin, the album's tracks are expertly sequenced and form a lovely progression to the disc's close, even if reprising the title song three times is a bit redundant. Another huge Top Ten success on the Hot 200, I WANT YOU may not be able to top WHAT'S GOING ON or LET'S GET IT ON (but what could?), but it is a highly impressive recording in it's own right.