The Other Unexpected Result Of The Recent  Japanese Tsunami

Romantically Yours (Japanese paper sleeve edition) -
Marvin Gaye

Around March 23, 2011 (delayed)

A unique posthumous release from Marvin Gaye – one that focuses mostly on his talents with ballads and standards, and which stands in stark contrast to some of his more sex-heavy work of the 80s! All of the material predates the 1985 release of the record – and some appears to be from Gaye's earlier years at Motown, most likely from unreleased late 60s sessions – which are then mixed here with later sides from Columbia years that round out the set nicely. Production is by a number of different hands in the studio – including Bobby Scott, Hal Davis, Norman Whitfield, and Gaye himself – and each producer takes a slightly different approach to the music. Marvin's self-produced efforts are especially sublime – very mature, adult work that really makes us wonder what he'd have done to soul music had he got to spend some more time on this planet. Other tracks are nice too – and range from more string-heavy standards probably recorded in the 60s, to others that have a sweetly sensual feel – like mellow Marvin of the 70s. Titles include "Just Like", "More", "Why Did I Choose You", "Maria", "The Shadow Of Your Smile", "Fly Me To The Moon", "Walkin In The Rain", "I Live For You", and "Happy Go Lucky".