Let's Get It On

After the intense political weight of What's Going On, Marvin Gaye shifted gears completely with Let's Get It On. Released on August 28, 1973, this twelfth studio album traded social commentary for a deep dive into romance, desire, and spiritual healing. The project took three years to record across studios in Detroit and Los Angeles, resulting in a sound that blended smooth soul, doo-wop textures, and funk instrumentation. Critics often describe it as one of the most sexually charged records ever made, yet they also praise its emotional depth and the way Gaye processed childhood trauma through tender lyrics about love.

The production team included Gaye himself alongside David Van De Pitte and Ed Townsend. They utilized multi-tracked vocals and a laid-back rhythm section featuring Robert White on guitar, Earl Van Dyke on keyboards, and Jack Ashford on percussion. This approach departed from the polished standard "Motown Sound" of the early 1970s, favoring a warmer, more organic aesthetic that helped pioneer the quiet storm radio format and the slow jam genre. Three singles emerged from the sessions: the title track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Come Get to This" and "You Sure Love to Ball" also found success on the charts. [edit]