1973 Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
Let’s Get It On is the thirteenth studio album by American singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye. It was released on August 28, 1973, by Tamla Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during June 1970 to July 1973 at Hitsville U.S.A. and Golden World Studio in Detroit, and at Hitsville West in Los Angeles. Serving as Gaye’s first venture into the funk genre and romance-themed music, Let’s Get It On incorporates smooth soul, doo-wop, and quiet storm. It has been noted by critics for its sexually suggestive lyrics, and was cited by one writer as “one of the most sexually charged albums ever recorded”.
Following the breakthrough success of his socially conscious album What’s Going On (1971), Let’s Get It On helped establish Gaye as a sex icon and furthered his mainstream appeal. It produced three singles—the title track, “Come Get to This”, and “You Sure Love to Ball”—that attained Billboard chart success. Let’s Get It On became the most commercially successful album of Gaye’s recording career, and it further expanded his creative control during his tenure with Motown. Its sexual balladry, multi-tracking of Gaye’s vocals, and seductive, funk sound influenced later R&B artists and production.
Tracks
1 Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend) 4:51
2 Please Stay (Once You Go Away) (Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend) 3:27
3 If I Should Die Tonight (Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend) 4:00
4 Keep Gettin’ It On (Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend) 3:13
5 Come Get To This (Marvin Gaye) 2:41
6 Distant Lover (Marvin Gaye, Gwen Gordy, Sandra Greene) 4:16
7 You Sure Love To Ball (Marvin Gaye) 4:45
8 Just To Keep You Satisfied (Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover) 4:26
Biography
Musicians
Bass | James Jamerson |
Bass | Wilton Felder |
Drums | Eddie Brown |
Drums | Paul Humphrey |
Drums | Uriel Jones |
Guitar | David T. Walker |
Guitar | Eddie Willis |
Guitar | Louie Shelton |
Guitar | Robert White |
Guitar | Wah Wah Watson |
Piano | Joe Sample |
Piano | Marvin Gaye |
Piano | Marvin Jenkins |
Vibraphone | Emil Richards |
Vibraphone | Victor Feldman |
Percussion | Bobbye Hall |
Percussion | Eddie Brown |
Vocals | Marvin Gaye |
Other Musicians
8 Just To Keep You Satisfied
Background Vocals | The Originals |
Liner Notes
Producer – Marvin Gaye
Producer – Ed Townsend (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4)
Arranged By – Rene Hall (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4)
Arranged By – David Van DePitte (Tracks 5, 7, 8)
Arranged By – Gene Page (Track 6)
Arranged By – David Blumberg (Track 7)
Engineer – Art Stewart, Cal Harris
Mixed By – Art Stewart, Cal Harris
Photography – Jim Britt
Phonographic Copyright Motown Record Corporation
Copyright Motown Record Corporation