Album: What's Going On

Introduction
"What's Going On" is a groundbreaking and prominent album by American soul vocalist Marvin Gaye, launched on May 21, 1971, by Tamla Records. The album marked a substantial departure from Gaye's earlier Motown sound, as it delved into the styles of social oppression, poverty, and ecological destruction. It was influenced in part by the vocalist's sibling's experiences returning from the Vietnam War and the societal unrest in America at the time. "What's Going On" is commonly considered as one of the greatest albums in the history of music and has been recognized for its ingenious songwriting, arrangement, and production.

Background and Recording
In 1970, following multiple disasters consisting of the deaths of close friend and musical partner Tammi Terrell, musician and songwriter Obie Benson approached Gaye with a song that would later on end up being the title track of the album. The song was written in reaction to authorities cruelty and racial injustice, topics that resonated with Gaye. "What's Going On" progressed from this preliminary song into a concept album, dealing with a series of concerns including racism, hardship, war, environmental concerns, and the disillusionment of youth in America.

Gaye's vision for the album was to develop a combined narrative, with each tune streaming flawlessly into the next, permitting the listener to experience the complete psychological journey. This technique was a departure from the traditional Motown formula and marked a turning point in his artistic instructions.

The recording procedure of "What's Going On" was ingenious for its time, particularly in the realm of soul music. Gaye made use of a multi-track recording setup, allowing him to layer multiple vocal and crucial tracks on top of each other, developing a rich and immersive sonic landscape. He likewise dealt with a talented group of musicians, including the famous Motown musician, the Funk Brothers, who supplied the foundation of the album's crucial arrangements.

Styles and Lyrics
"What's Going On" took on heavy and controversial themes for its time, reflecting the socio-political turmoil of the early 1970s in America. The opening track "What's Going On" observes the state of the country, calling out injustice and pleading for understanding. This style continues in tracks like "What's Happening Brother", which attends to the difficulties dealt with by Vietnam veterans reintegrating into society.

Songs like "Save the Children" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" address environmental concerns, especially contamination, while "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wan na Holler)" talks about hardship and desperation within city areas. Each song is powerful and thought-provoking, revealing the compassion and social awareness that Gaye held throughout his life.

Reception and Legacy
"What's Going On" received critical acclaim upon its release and has actually just grown in stature since then. It has actually been commonly recognized as one of the best albums of perpetuity and has actually appeared on various "best of" lists, including Rolling Stone publication's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The album's impact has been comprehensive and varied, with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and Prince citing it as an inspiration. Moreover, "What's Going On" has actually also played a considerable role in forming contemporary American music, as it unlocked for further exploration of political and social themes in soul, funk, and R&B music.

In conclusion, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" remains a powerful and pertinent work, having actually transformed not only the sound of soul music but likewise its thematic scope. Its lyrics and styles continue to resonate today, offering a timeless and still-needed require reflection and understanding in the face of social discontent and inequality.