Track Listing

1. Main Theme From Trouble Man
2. "T" Plays It Cool
3. Poor Abbey Walsh
4. The Break In (Police Shoot Big)
5. Cleo's Apartment
6. Trouble Man
7. Theme From Trouble Man
8. "T" Stands For Trouble
9. Main Theme From Trouble Man
10. Life Is A Gamble
11. Deep In It
12. Don't Mess With Mister "T"
13. Don't Mess With Mister "T"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23021 in Music
• Released on: 1998-09-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 38 minutes

CD Description
Tenuous though it is, history books list it as a Marvin Gaye album. Those who did not see the film (from which this is a soundtrack) might unsuspectingly think Marvin might sing on it. In fact he does on one track, the title song. The filmwas another low-budget blaxploitation detective movie that fell short of both Superfly (Curtis Mayfield) and Shaft (Isaac Hayes). Musically, however, the remaining instrumental music is hard to fault, even though it sounds very much of itsera. Approach with some degree of caution, but expect to bepleasantly surprised.

Customer Reviews

Absolute Classic
If you have not got it, then get it, now !!! This very under-rated recording is a masterpiece from start to finish. The title track is an absolute knock out. The timeless 'T Plays It Cool' is one of the best grooves around, the drumming is flawless. Marvin sings sparingly on this album, but when he does it's heaven. I think he hits one of his best notes of all time here.

The album is a soul/funk/jazz fusion dripping in strings, piano, and moog. Trevor Lawrence contributes throughout with his brilliant Alto, Tenor & Baritone Sax which weaves around the rhythms.

Forget the film, everything you need is here. Marvin wrote it all himself, produced every track , as well as playing all the keyboards, singing lead & backing vocals. In other words - pure Marvin.

Everyone I play this to Loves it.

When Soundtracks Outlast Flicks
To all those who only know Marvin Gaye for his metaphysically sexy voice on cuts like "Let's Get it on" or "Sexual Healing" - here comes a record where the man himself doesn't actually sing that much. "Trouble Man" is one of the better Blaxpoitation soundtracks; most of it is instrumental, that is a soulful blend of wailing guitars and lamenting horns. Yes, what you get here is some of that rather melancholy soul, but then again, isn't this where Marvin excels? As a matter of fact, this album has a similar mood to "What's Going on", Gaye's most heartfelt offering and one of the best records ever. "Trouble Man" definitely is a good listen; like with most soundtracks of its kind, it doesn't really matter whether you've seen the movie or not - if you think the record might appeal to you, go and buy it.

Proof of his genius
If you were to expect smooth love songs or message music, you'd be disappointed. "Trouble Man" is a funky, jazz tinged masterpiece, mainly instrumental, with each track running into the next. Where there are lyrics, they do seem to echo some of MGs own troubled soul and some see this album as autobiographical.

While the album rewards a listen all through, there are tracks which stand alone - the walking blues rhythym of the opener, the very funky "T plays it cool" and, of course, the title track.

As a demonstration of the genius that was Marvin, chronologically, this album sits between "Whats Going On" and "Lets Get It On", and there can have been few artists who have produced 3 succesive albums of such quality, let alone of such variety.

This is well worth your attention, then, representing, as it does, the peak of Marvin Gaye's Motown creativity - there was more to come, but after this it was his troubles which were in control.