Icon

Universal's 2010 collection Icon is an excellent 12-track compilation of Marvin Gaye's basics, divided roughly evenly between his `60s and `70s work for Motown. Many of the `60s singles here are duets -- "It Takes Two," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" -- which means there aren't a lot of his earliest singles, but turn to Icon 2 if you're in search of those sides. This has "Pride and Joy," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," and "Ain't That Peculiar" balanced by "What's Going On," "Let's Get It On," "I Want You," and "Got to Give It Up" on a single disc, which will be worthwhile for some casual fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine