"You're the Man" was the first single to the would-be follow-up to What's Going On, You're the Man, but the titular track's mediocre performance lead the Marvin Gaye to shelve the entire project in 1972. Recorded in Detroit and Los Angeles during a particularly prolific creative period for Gaye (he also produced it), the fabled LP is finally being released, and although the songs from the sessions have appeared on various formats, this is the first time they are available as a whole album as intended by the artist. In addition, 15 of the 17 tracks are available on vinyl for the first time, and the record will be accompanied by liner notes from gaye biographer, David Ritz, who writes that You're The Man is "Gaye's deeply personal internal conflict as a source of creative vigor and emotional burden as he experienced What's going On's massive success and all that came with it."

• previously unreleased 1972 album from Marvin Gaye
• black double vinyl pressing
• housed in gatefold jacket w/ extensive liner notes
• music label: Motown 2019

reviewed by pocari papi 02/2019