Marvin Gaye - In Our Lifetime (1981)

Marvin Gaye's "In Our Lifetime" came after 1978's confessional and meandering double album "Here, My Dear". Although this better set does seem effortlessly conceived, it wasn't that simple. Gaye originally envisioned a "party" album and almost released one called Love Man. After some consideration, Gaye nixed the idea and aimed for an effort that would spotlight his religious concerns. Thankfully, "In Our Lifetime" splits the difference between the two mindsets. The first single from the aborted Love Man shows up here. "Ego Tripping Out" works as both a parody of the "love man" with a few autobiographical flourishes as he sings, "Got a sweet tooth/For the chick on the floor." Slowly but surely the religious matters do surface here. The buoyant "Praise" has a blithe riff inspired and/or lifted from Stevie Wonder and has Gaye getting his message across without being preachy. Although no song is especially brilliant here, the level of Gaye's musical sense and his vocal prowess carry him throughout. The unfinished and non-Gaye-approved "Far Cry" has lyrics that are steam-of-conscious and are barely decipherable. The mesmerizing "Love Me Now or Love Me Later" has Gaye examining both good and evil with equal skill. The last track, the title song, has Gaye back in the party frame of mind and has great horn charts and a propulsive beat. In Our Lifetime" is one of his finest albums and captures him as his craft was maturing and becoming more multifaceted.

Track listing

01. Praise (Marvin Gaye) - 4:51

02. Life is for Learning (Marvin Gaye) - 3:39

03. Love Party (Marvin Gaye) - 4:58

04. Funk Me (Marvin Gaye) - 5:34

05. Far Cry (Marvin Gaye) - 4:28

06. Love Me Now or Love Me Later (Marvin Gaye) - 4:59

07. Heavy Love Affair (Marvin Gaye) - 3:45

08. In Our Lifetime (Marvin Gaye) - 6:57

Released:  January 15, 1981

Recorded at:  Marvin's Room, Los Angeles, California Seawest Recording Studio, Honolulu, Hawaii, Odyssey Studios, London, England

Genre:  Soul, funk

Length:  41:30

Label:  Tamla

Producer:  Marvin Gaye

Personnel

Marvin Gaye - vocals, keyboards, drums

Robert Ahwry - guitar

Gordon Banks - guitar

Frank Bates - bass, background vocals

Frank Blair - bass, drums

Candace Bond - Executive Producer

Ray Brown - trumpet

William Bryant - drums, keyboards

Elmira Collins - vibraphone, background vocals

Raymond Crossley - keyboards

Fernando Harkness - saxophone

Joe James - percussion

Gary Jones - percussion, conga

Lee Kentle - drums, background vocals

Nigel Martinez - drums

Kenny Mason - trumpet

Joe Mayo - percussion

Sidney Muldrew - French horn

Curtis Anthony Nolen - guitar

Raphael Ravenscroft - alto saxophone

Dr. George Shaw - trumpet

Nolan Andrew Smith - trumpet

Bugsy Wilcox - drums

David Ritz - liner notes

Preston "Bugsy" Wilcox - drums