Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, his eleventh studio album, marked a decisive shift in his career, moving beyond the hit-driven Motown model into a unified song cycle. Released in 1971, it emerged from a period of personal and social upheaval, with Gaye taking an unprecedented level of creative control over its production and themes, addressing war, poverty, and environmental concerns within a fluid, jazz-inflected soul framework.

The title track set the tone with its conversational vocal and layered arrangement, while Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) extend the albums focus on environmental and urban strain. Deeper cuts like Flyin High (In the Friendly Sky) and Save the Children broaden its perspective, blending introspection with social commentary. This CD edition includes the original album alongside select B-side versions.