You should do weekly shootouts of classic albums. Nobody else is doing this. So helpful and interesting. I’ve made several purchases pursuant to your shootout videos and I’ve never been disappointed.

Thank you for mentioning the “Detroit Mix.” Its exactly what you said, a great pressing and definitely a fresh sound.

For a busy guy you seem to be pretty good at this KZfaq thing. You seem to be a natural at delivering the goods for your subs. Great content as always. Thanks.

Thanks for a great comparison video, Mike. I really like that you go much "deeper" in what the differences are than many other YT'ers - and not only compare the most expensive versions (e.g. ERC vs MOFI One Step etc.). I realize it takes some time for you to listen to all these versions - but as a viewer I'd say it's worth the time 😉

So true...Mike does the most in depth shootouts of anyone ever. His knowledge is amazing. You can actually trust what he says as what your experience will be. I've never been steered wrong by one of his recommendations. We're the lucky ones gaining from his knowledge and experience.

Oh man, this is one I’ve been eager to hear your input on. Without a doubt one of my favorite records of all time. I have the 50th Ann. Kevin Gray cut and it totally floors me. Nice touch giving the Detroit mix a mention as well, it’s a completely different experience that is just sublime. For me, it’s these two pressings, and I’m set!

I would like to see a Superfly Shootout between the 50th anniversary & the Mofi

Yes!! I love this Marvin Gaye album! One of the best of all time. Gound breaking for many reasons as we know! I remember when it came out in 1971. I was in 2nd grade and many of my brother's High School friends played it. The days we lived in Saginaw Michigan! Listening to the BIG 8 CKLW -Detroit!! Great memories!

I took your advice regarding the 1984 reissue. Sounds very solid.

I picked up a NM promo copy of the 1984 pressing. I can’t wait to compare it to my Kevin Grey pressing. I also enjoy the Motown Mix recent repress.

I bought the 1984 reissue from you. I love it

I always enjoy seeing your vinyl shoot outs. I appreciate how thorough you are in acquiring so many vinyl pressings to compare. Thank you and take care.

Mike all of the Motown 1980s reissues are must haves. I am an avid Motown collector especially The Supremes and in the 80s after MCA acquired them, Motown reissued almost all of its past catalogue. They were all superbly remastered by John Matousek and sound light years better than the originals. Look for JM in the dead wax. Also they are all analog! These were all released in 1980-87. Unfortunately Matousek is no longer with us but he did a masterful job. Yes, look for the white box with original date and you’ll also see that they have the Motown logo pasted over the original Tamla or whatever. A lot of them are mono as well. You are spot on about that reissue of WGO.

Hi Mike; Newbie Collector since 6-1-22! I I bought my first Lp from you that same day. I went on the web while viewing your video and got lucky and found all three of your highest recommended MG albums that were sealed. The most expensive was the Mo-F'I at $295.00; The 1984 white label was $99.00, and the gate fold album was $39.00! Thanks again for the valuable info. Looking forward to your next video. Le

“No one should have this..I have five” Love it. Love also that you mention the drawbacks of the 45. I was considering the recent 45 KOB, but I always want to sit back and chill to that record..don’t want to keep flipping. Thought I was crazy...well guess I am...as crazy as Mike. Thanks also for wearing long pants. You are the best!

Awesome! I'd been hoping you or someone else might take on sound comparisons with this record.

Suggest straightening the pleats in your curtains. They just don't complement the looks of those amazing Wilson speakers & subs.

"They go from awful to really awful...this is NOT a record that I would recommend owning an original of... uh... although I have 5" 🤣🤣🤣

I have a promo copy of the 84 reissue.

The Jeannie trick at 12:28. Hahahahahaha! Great review, Mike. I too love the Detroit Mix.

Songs in the Key of life next please. The goat.

I've got the Detroit mix and love it! Been on the hunt for an original mix so this video is super timely

So thankful that you do these. I use these videos to go to Discogs and put them in my want list. It helps me keep track and an album like this, when there are so many pressings, it can get confusing. Thanks!

Very good info about the 1984 pressings - surprising!

Good shoot out, thanks. I'm more than happy with the current 2LP release. I agree it should be played start to finish and the 45rpm would kinda kill the buzz so to speak.

You picked one of my favourite tracks & artist of all time, Marvin has soul in his veins. I gotta go & play this later & chill.

I actually like the anniversary edition more than the MoFi what shocked me! And I don’t have your type of system of course. Enjoyed this video a ton. Love the album so much.

Mike, I totally agree. I had the original Tamala LP and when I got rid of my vinyl I made a copy and put it on DAT. When I got a hold of the new MFSL version I was blown away, it felt like I was listening to it for the first time.

It's my favourite album of all time so this is or great interest. I have four versions but not the top three you mentioned. I'll probably get the new anniversary release as MOFI in the UK are stupid money.

Hey Mike, thanks for the comparison vid. My favorite thing you do on videos. I just couldnt do the Mofi One Step. Dont like the split up. Kills the vibe. It does sound great from clips Ive heard. Wish they had done a better 33.3. Seems Mofi was dicey for great sound @ the 2008-2010 era. The Cars S/T is just meh compared to the og also. A few titles are like that. I think Fremer said they were having mastering chain issues around this time. Ive had the John Matousek mastered mid 80s version for awhile now. Think I have both an 84 and 87. Both have that full sound with the clarity. Definitely my go to copies. Seems to balance all the right sound attributes out for me. Ive heard the KG cut and it is also very good. But I prefer some aspects of the mid 80s better which sold me on the preference. To me its about Marvin Gaye's vocals. And the 80s cuts and mastering emphasize the mids just a bit more to my ears while still keeping the fullness and good bass sound of James Jamerson that is defined. And besides Marvin's voice James is the star.

For similar reasons that was mentioned on your Muddy Waters' "Folk Singer" shoot out video, the mid-80s saw MCA reissuing a ton of catalog from their recently acquired labels. They went back to the source and pretty much ALL of their reissues from that period are solid contenders, worthy for a place in your collection.

I have a 1988 UK Motown that sounds phenomenal 👍🏻

Great review, spoiled by ads every 3 minutes. My GZ pressing us OK.

these videos are better than some feature films

i love when these shootouts validate my purchases lol

Great comparison Mike. Love your videos. I completely agree with your findings. My one step is amazing.

I know it's not the thrust of your video which is very interesting but I want to thank you for shouting out the Detroit Mix. IMHO it's the artist's original vision though the released version is superlative as well. There's a reason why it's called The Greatest Album of All-Time from Rolling Stone (which I agree with but i'm biased LOL) I like to think the Detroit Mix is "street level" whereas the released version is "uptown class".

The Kevin Gray cut for the win. When the KG release came out, I sold the 45rpm one-step. Cutting up the songs was a big mistake, they should have done it at 33 rpm.

Just looked up the Kevin Gray cut on discogs. The one you want says pressed at Precision on the hype. The less desirable European cut says pressed at Dublin Vinyl.

Absolutely love this shootout!! I dig your knowledge and especially your comment about the Motown reissue and the Motown reissues in general. Motown is an important part of my record collection here in Detroit and yes, I am one of those collectors who is hip to the Motown vinyl reissues from the 80s being outstanding, especially the ones mastered by James(or John ) Matousek. Nothing is like the originals for me in good condition, but I often have both an original and one of those reissues. I noticed a price jump on those as well, lately. Doesn't surprise me.

Great vid Mike. Camera makes you look so far away though. Hope we get to see you better for the next vid. Love the Kevin Gray press of this. Love your shootouts too 🙏

Thanks for the review! Been thinking about getting the 50th..glad I learned there's 2 different pressings and one to watch out for. Wish I knew exactly how to distinguish the two, but I'll look into it. Cheers 🍻

Good video. Lots of pressings I were unaware of, and maybe one in particular to hunt down! I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment of the original pressings; I think mine sounds really good, it’s near mint, which is rare, and plays perfectly. I have the new KG cut, and it is indeed superior, haven’t heard the One-Step, and I never will, way too expensive for me.

I just bought what's going done manufacturer in poland

I bought the ‘84 pressing around the time the One Step was released because I didn’t think that I wanted this album broken up on 45 rpm. The ‘84 is a great sounding album and has just the right amount of low end for the music. I have since bought the Kevin Gray reissue and it is also very good. Maybe a touch more clarity on the Kevin gray but you can’t go wrong with either one.

I just picked up a copy of the current remaster. I have an early press that’s just beat to hell and sounds terrible. New press is quite the upgrade. Love your videos, man.

I was shocked how much I liked the Detroit Mix. The 80's Motown pressing does it for me.

Thanks for your thoughts, Mike! I purchased the 2022 Kevin Gray lp and it had the dirtiest vinyl I’ve personally seen , from the sleeve debris. Just a big disappointment as i was about to open and play it. But, it’s wonderful this copy exists and I’m happy to own it!

Very curious about the 1984 MCA/Universal pressing.

Thanks for this. Glad to know I have the two best copies of this (and a few other pressings). I've had an OG on my wantlist for a while but haven't found the right price/quality combination. Might look for an 84 Motown instead.

That white box Motown reissue and the new Kevin Gray are the only two I kept out of countless copies. Both great!

Great video......glad you mentioned that Gordy rejected the album. Heck, he hated it....UNTIL THE money started rolling in

Truly appreciate this video - thank you!

The 1987 reissue on Motown is cut by the same person as the ' 84 ( JM- Jim/ John Mitousik? I think? ). I have both and I will say that even though they've the same lacquer cutter / Mastering, they still sound different! Both are really good! But I think the highs and lows are more abundant on '84 cut and the mid range more detailed on '87. IMO.

What we really need is a Funk Brothers box set. Yes the singers and artists are great but the FB were the foundation of Motown records. The music is important, just as important as the singers and the song writers on the covers. A FB original master tape reissue box set of all the Motown hits would be wonderful.

I don't know if I'm alone in this opinion, but to me, the fact that Universal has sold "What's going on" in Europe saying that it was mastered by Kevin Gray from the analog tapes when it was not, it's far worse than the Mofigate.

Great video and thankyou!!! Would love to see some early Black Sabbath shootouts. Especially Master of reality!!!

Incredible shootout and I’m happy that some Japanese copies made cut and were recommended… thanks for this Mike.

Mike, I agree originals of this album are extremely difficult to find and are usually trashed and you are right they sound like crap, I own at least two copies. I like the Kevin Gray version better than the Mofi version as I own both. The Mofi version is harder to get and expensive by comparison. I’m glad I got it early to make the comparison. I will have to hunt down the 1984 version of the album to compare. Great shoot out as usual and thank you for taking the time out for doing it. I used your guide to hunt down the best sounding version of Steely Dan’s Aja, so your words are not going down on deaf ears. Keep up the outstanding work. Your channel is a reference when it comes to this type of material.

Great revieuw!! I have a US OG and a European reissue from '84. I totally agree with you. The US OG is crap compared to the reissue. Again, great video! Wish you did more of them! Regards Rob Netherlands

Love these videos. Great job mike.

If you ain’t getting the thump with that speaker setup, nobody is getting it 😂

First: Even a completely warped Vinyl Copy is a miracle compared to almost every other attempt to describe America and it’s issues of the times. Gaye was a powerfully accurate and descript narrator of a generation.This Lp almost remained unreleased as Barry Gordy absolutely did not like it. Marvin had to beg Barry along with Marvin’s Wife to put it out. He would absolutely bootleg it onto Radio as he knew it was that good.

Enjoy your channel. Is the 50th anniversary album released in 2022 the same as the 84 release both with Kevin Gray listed

who was the mastering engineer on the Motown 80's reissue? I have one that has JM on the dead wax, wondering if it's the same one.

See, I've listened to a lot of pressings of this album. Undeniable Masterpiece. But on the One Step they really seemed to suck the warmth out of it and the stereo spread is too wide.

Maybe I missed it but how does the recent green vinyl reissue stack up?

Hype sticker on the UK release says: Pressed at Dublin Vinyl Kevin said in a interview that the plates may have been damaged and they recut from digital by Lawrence Dunster.

well i agree with you on the 80s mowtown label, i agree with you on the KG cut, but i dont agree with you on the mfsl one step,, they have a signature blanket over the speakers /heavy bass bloat that i am not fond of but alot of people are,,,,, Nice system what speakers are those?

whats your favorite sounding Mofi?

Do you think they will reissue other items from MG's catalog. I'd love to get Here My Dear. I don't see a lot of R&B reissued. I think it'd be great if someone did a whole Motown series or Atlantic series.

Thanks for the info on the OG of these. Can you please explain how to tell when Records from 60s that are mono or stereo that are cut down from the other. I do tend prefer early MONO pressings of albums and stereo from 60s when its actual muti track master tape. How can I know when these are not true mono or stereo. thanks

I have a UK first press. Non gatefold but with inner lyric sheet. Black/silver Tamla Motown label. Would you say this was similar to the US first press in sound quality?

I am still lost on the 2022 Kevin Gray 50th anniversary. I guess I am not understanding the difference between the one to get and the ones pressed in Czec. Which one to get? Which one Amazon is selling? Which one TheInnGroove is selling? Discogs only showing two entries both made in Czec.

Whenever someone says things like more bass, more clarity, bigger soundstage, I just think louder. How are you accurately level matching these pressings Mike? Kevin does not reduce bass on his cuts either.

"This helps" at 18:16, too funny.

The original A1/B1 UK pressing is the best I heard this lp sound! It also has the thump needed along with excellent dynamics and vocal mix. Stunning

so the 50th anniversary is a good copy to get ?

I listen to the Detroit mix more than the original.

Hello! I have an ex from the back to black version that sounds pretty good..have you listened to it?

good stuff thank you

mike - do you recommend any sleeves for the one steps? thanks

What is the Japanese pressing mentioned at the top of this video? Matrix number?

You need more bass 😊

I just sold my 33 rpm for 18 bucks.

Mike how do you differentiate the Kevin Gray master from the other if both copies seem alike?

More of these

🔥THNXMAN!🔥

Nice to see you doin the shootout ..seemed a bit thin in the ground here though ..what bout UK orig ..rainbo vinyl copy ..Germany copies ..the new UK digital cut ..the target green exclusive ..or am I bein picky

I still haven’t gotten back into bed with my One Steps yet… 😂

The Canadian first pressing is better than the US first pressing, though still not great

Audiophiles only listen to Kind of Blue, What's Going On and Abraxis..that's it.

Oddly enough my first impressions with this 1-Step were not all that positive. I thought it borderline too bright and certainly a song being faded prematurely and its continuation faded up on Side 2 is completely unacceptable in my book. I guess I should spin it again to see if I feel it has the redeeming sonic qualities you speak of and report back. To be continued...

You say original several times but never mentione gate fold cover.

So if it's all analog, why doesn't it say original ANALOG tapes, instead it says, "Direct-to-analog mastering from the original tapes by Kevin Gray" Original tapes can mean just about anything these days....... If it sounds good, I don't care, but this seems more confusing than rocket science.

This album has never done anything for me. I’ve tried to like it but don’t get the hype. Maybe I should give it another try!

I’m sorry but someone’s gotta step in and call BS. This record came out in ‘71 and is widely considered one of the greatest records of all time but in Mikes opinion the world never even heard an acceptable copy until nearly 13 years later in 1984!? So what the heck were people enjoying all those years before that? I happen to have a first press Tamla and it sounds awesome and I hear plenty of bass. I’m not sure if we can even trust audiophiles opinions on anything when most of them would rather listen to Steely Dan over the Stooges…

…homeboy can talk

I don't know, at a certain point A/B-ing albums just devolves into pointless nitpicking. These audiophallics spend more time listening to damn recordings and equipment than actually enjoying music. Seems like it sucks the fun out of it. Constantly emptying their pockets on snake oil chasing the "perfect" sounds which doesn't really exist. C'mon Even Marvin Gaye himself never heard any of ridiculous audiophile pressings. He was content with how the original sounded !I compared my OG to the 50th anniversary reissues. The sonic difference were get this: NEGLIGIBLE. But than again I haven't poured my entire income into an ostentatious audiophallic system that might make any difference more noticeable. Enjoy the music for what it is , life is too short to get caught up with nitpicking different pressings chasing perfection.

Unpopular opinion..this album doesn't do anything for me!! 🤔🤔