The first of three sets that compile
Marvin Gaye's albums originally released on
Tamla and
Motown,
Volume One: 1961-1965 offers the singer's initial seven full-length recordings:
The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye (1961),
That Stubborn Kinda' Fellow (1962),
When I'm Alone I Cry (1964),
Together (1964),
Hello Broadway (1964),
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You (1965), and
A Tribute to the Great Nat King Cole (1965). During the era covered here,
Gaye modeled himself after
Cole, as a crooning balladeer, and conceded to label boss
Berry Gordy, Jr. as a crossover R&B artist. The latter approach won out in decisive fashion, as
Gaye regularly entered the Top Ten of the R&B chart during this period, with "Pride and Joy," "Try It Baby," and a pair of
Wells duets among the biggest early hits found on this anthology. (Additional 1963-1964 hits "Can I Get a Witness" and "You're a Wonderful One," originally included on
Greatest Hits [1964], must be sought elsewhere.) Not one of the albums here is great enough to appeal to anyone other than a serious collector, but the set is handy and attractive, made with
Motown/
UMe's typical high level of care. The compact disc edition, packaged in a small box with each disc in an LP-replica sleeve, was sensibly priced upon release. (The 180-gram vinyl edition was much more expensive.) ~ Andy Kellman