The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye's debut album, a jazz-standards compromise with Motown.
The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye is the debut studio album by Marvin Gaye, released in 1961 on Motown's Tamla label. It was the second long-playing album issued by Motown, following Hi... We're the Miracles. The album is notable as the first known instance of artistic conflict in Gaye's career with the label.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Marvin Gaye
- Released
- June 8, 1961
- Genre
- Jazz
- traditional pop
- R&B
- Length
- 33:04
- Label
- Tamla
- Producer
- Berry Gordy
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over | Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel | 5:08 |
| 2 | My Funny Valentine | Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart | 3:26 |
| 3 | Witchcraft | Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh | 2:22 |
| 4 | Easy Living | Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin | 3:05 |
| 5 | How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky) | Irving Berlin | 3:08 |
| 6 | Love for Sale | Cole Porter | 2:54 |
| 7 | Always | Irving Berlin | 2:58 |
| 8 | How High the Moon | Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis | 2:28 |
| 9 | Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide | Berry Gordy | 3:01 |
| 10 | Never Let You Go | Harvey Fuqua, Anna Gordy Gaye | 2:41 |
| 11 | You Don't Know What Love Is | Gene DePaul, Don Raye | 3:53 |
Track listing from the source article.
Background
After leaving the U.S. Air Force in 1957, Marvin Gaye sought a musical identity, admiring styles from rock 'n' roll, blues, jazz, and doo-wop. He aimed to blend the approaches of Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Little Willie John, and Jesse Belvin. Gaye first joined the Marquees, which later replaced the original members of Harvey Fuqua's group the Moonglows, becoming Harvey and the New Moonglows. Reese Palmer sang most leads, but Gaye took lead vocal parts on songs including "The Twelve Months of the Year" and "Mama Loochie," both released on Chess in 1959. During this period the group sang background for Chuck Berry's "Almost Grown" and Etta James' "Chained to My Rocking Chair." After two years in Chicago and a Detroit tour, Fuqua dissolved the group and brought Gaye to Detroit, signing him to Harvey and Tri-Phi Records and assigning him to Gwen Gordy's Anna label. Gaye played drums on the Spinners' debut hit "That's What Girls Are Made For." In December 1960, Gaye sang "Mr. Sandman" at Motown's Christmas party, impressing CEO Berry Gordy. Gordy negotiated with Fuqua, buying 50% of Gaye's contract, and Gaye signed with Tamla the following month. Gaye also began dating Berry Gordy's sister Anna Gordy in spring 1961.
Recording and release
After signing to Tamla, Gaye clashed with the label over musical direction. The label wanted R&B for teenagers, but Gaye admired Nat King Cole and Ray Charles and wished to record adult jazz and pop standards, believing he could achieve similar success. Gaye, who had been told not to dance as a child, preferred to sit and croon rather than dance onstage. He was permitted to record an album of jazz standards on the condition that he include a couple of R&B songs. Gaye played drums and piano on the album, with Berry Gordy overseeing much of the production. Anna Gordy co-wrote the R&B track "Never Let You Go (Sha-Lu-Bop)" for her boyfriend. The album was recorded over two weeks and released on June 8, 1961. Before his first single, Gaye added an 'e' to his last name for a more professional appearance. The album received little attention; the single "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide" was a regional hit in the Midwest and West Coast. Two more singles followed, with Gaye singing in a smooth tenor. His style later incorporated gospel inflections, leading to his first hit "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" in 1962. At the time, Motown was a fledgling label with only the Miracles, the Marvelettes, and Mary Wells as successful acts. Gaye continued his jazz ambitions through the 1960s, recording three more jazz-cover albums that did not resonate with audiences accustomed to his R&B work.
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