In 1971, Marvin Gaye put out his classic album _What's Going On?_, which largely focused on ever-present world issues (drugs, war, racism, etc), then the next year, he put out a soundtrack to a fim called _Trouble Man_. And, in 1973, he put out _Let's Get It On_. Yes, that last title means *exactly* what you think it means!
On these eight wonderful tracks, Marvin takes us on a romantic odyssey which is every bit as seductive as the title suggests - so seductive, you can almost taste it. Smooth-as-silk vocals give way to fiery, impassioned, ecstatic releases, which are punctuated by the caramel harmony vocals, hushed congas and bongas, strings and a multitude of other instruments. The result? Something as close to the actual...real thing, it's overwhelming. To borrow a quote from the man himself, "you know what I'm talkin' 'bout..." it's so good, it almost makes me cry.
Some singers had the ability to do things with their voices, that, when hearing them, they almost seemed like a totally different being than human, and they almost seemed as if they went somewhere else, while they were doing what they did with their voices, and as listeners, we were able to go somewhere else -- someplace higher -- while we were listening, too. Some singers had this, some didn't. Marvin had it, and he had it in droves.
The things listed in the last two paragraphs apply *largely* to tracks like the title cut, and it's companion "Keep Gettin' It On." In fact, the latter seems more like an extended coda to the title hit, and it could have easily been added as the coda to the original. Either way, both are a sheer joy to have.
On "Come Get To This," things fasten up a bit. Marvin's seductive sensuality is still in tact, but this time, he doesn't take as much time as he did in much of the other songs. On "Distant Lover," Marvin returns to the slow-burning ecstasy found in songs like the title track, and the yearning throughout the song, especially the pleading--more like crying--near the end of the song, is so painful for me to listen to, even after hearing the song for the longest time, while the last song, the dramatic "Just To Keep You Satisfied," was said to be written about Marvin's ex-wife at the time. This song ends on quite a melancholic, reflective, and almost sad note.
This is classic stuff, and a must for those who love Marvin Gaye, but come to think of it, most fans who love Marvin already own this album. If you love classic R&B, loaded with sensuality, or if you just want something that sounds good (which is an understatement, to say the least), grab this.