OUT OF PRINT PAPERBACK BOOK - £8 here, new copies currently start at £25 on Amazon
One the most important soul albums ever made, What's Going On established Motown star Marvin Gaye as a unique and maverick musical talent and simultaneously helped to re-define the Motown sound. Gaye's determination and vision resulted not only in inspirational, pioneering grooves but, in the era of Vietnam and Civil Rights protests, an album that challenged America to take a long hard look at itself. By focusing on the story behind the recording of this seminal work, Ben Edmonds has produced a riveting and truly original take on Marvin Gaye. He examines in detail the making of this masterpiece - initially rejected by Motown's quality control department - interviewing many of the artists and record company employees closest to the singer, to arrive at a deeper understanding of what the album means and of Gaye himself. It is a brilliant yet tragic story.