The Master 1961-1984

The Master (1961–1984) is a chronological box set album looking back at American R&B/soul Marvin Gaye’s 23-year recording career. Spanning four discs, the box set goes over all portions of Gaye’s career with a repertoire that spanned doo-wop, R&B, soul, psychedelic soul and funk with a mixture of themes including dance songs, love ballads, duets, socially conscious material, sensual material and autobiographical revelations. The set includes rarities such as a recorded 1981 live track of Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips each singing their seminal hit “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, Gaye’s famed 1983 performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at an NBA All-Star game and an a cappella performance of “The Lord’s Prayer” taped during Gaye’s exile in Belgium.

One of my favorite soul singers ever! He is one of the most important and influential soul singers, and has a revolutionary recording style in which he could not only duet with himself via overdubs, but also provide the harmonies. After a life in which, despite his artistic successes, he became increasingly depressed due to drug use and misconduct, he was shot dead by his father, a preacher.