The singles from early in Marvin Gaye's career are some of my very favourite recordings. Along with Smokey Robinson, he bridged the gap between the fifties and sixties, and pointed the way forward for Motown. Unlike many of the singers that became stars at the label, Gaye came to Motown an accomplished musician, originally as a session drummer, and having sung with the doo-wop group, the Moonglows. His charisma, and the fact that he could translate his rhythmic abilities to singing, soon put him in front of the band, where he remained for the rest of his great recording career.

The first song co-written by him to make the charts was 1962's "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", which might contain my choice for all-time best opening of a pop single (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmuDfPBTGDg). The string of r&b masterpieces that followed in the next few years included "Hitchhike", "Pride and Joy", "Can I Get a Witness", "You're a Wonderful One", "Baby Don't You Do It", "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar". They can all be heard on YouTube, but here are links to the last two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umuSuOlX1xg / http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfpzePp5y8s. By the way, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" (linked above) features Gaye on piano and drums, and Martha and the Vandellas on backups.