Marvin Gaye - In Our Lifetime (1981)

"In Our Lifetime" was Marvin Gaye's last release with Motown. Recorded in L.A., Honolulu and London, the album was the end product of his re-work of the "Love Man" album, and a return to the serious, concept style of "What's Going On." The album cover, designed by Neil Breeden, visually depicts both the inner turmoil Gaye had been going through the past few years (two marriage break-ups, the loss of fans when "Here, My Dear" bombed), and his worries/questions about religion, peace, war, ecology, pollution, and particularly the nuclear issue. The break up with Motown came when the label released their own re-edit of the album, based on a rough mix received from bassist Frank Blair, without Marvin's okay. Sales of "In Our Lifetime" were poor despite critical acclaim, and the album was all but forgotten until being released on CD in 1994. In 2007, a limited edition, double CD was released with three "versions" of the album: the Motown version, Marvin's own Odyssey Studios mix, and the unreleased "Love Man" recordings.

Album info. at Discogs:

In Our Lifetime

CD available from Amazon Marketplace:

(amazon.com) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

(amazon.ca) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

(amazon.co.uk) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

Marvin Gaye - Love Man (1979)

An album closely associated with the "In Our Lifetime" project. Marvin's original idea was to put out an album of love songs for the disco set (called "Love Man"), but he had second thoughts and shifted attention to love lost and a coming Armageddon. Songs already recorded got new titles and lyrics, and were released as "In Our Lifetime." "Love Man" was never officially released, and "In Our Lifetime" ended up forcing the break-up between Marvin and Motown (Motown remixed and renamed the album - removing the question mark - without Marvin's permission). The original "Love Man" tracks were released with the 2-disk, extended edition of "In Our Lifetime?"

More info available here:

In Our Lifetime? (Expanded Love Man Edition)

Marvin Gaye and Pink Floyd?

I found this while trolling looking for Marvin stuff. Planned to put up some of his album covers in my next post. Imagine my surprise when I ran across this "collaboration" album! I have no idea if it's real or fake (though I'm guessing fake as there's no mention of the session or project anywhere prior to the big "reveal" in December 2010). So, it's probably a mash-up... but you know what? I don't care. It's very well done, the mash blends seamlessly, and the whole thing is worth at least a listen.

More information here:

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-1635-marvin-gaye_pink-floyd-collaboration.html

And here:

http://harvestingheritage.com/