Leon Ware's classic Motown offering from 1976 came about as the result of another classic recording done by Marvin Gaye. Ware had written the single "I Want You" for a demo recording to score T-Boy Ross a recording contract with Motown. Berry Gordy heard it and told Ware he had to have the song for Marvin Gaye's next single. He took it to Gaye, who also loved it. Later, as Ware finished the tracks and orchestrations for his own album, he was playing it back for friends at Gaye's home when Marvin came out of a bedroom to inquire about what it was. He asked for -- and received -- all the tracks from Ware for the legendary I Want You album. This left Ware no choice but to compose an entirely new set of songs for his own record; the result is Musical Massage. (It should be noted that, according to Ware, Gordy, Gaye, and others felt he should also give this album away as a follow-up to I Want You, but Ware refused.) Musical Massage is the perfect mix of soul, light funk, jazz, and what was about to become the rhythmic foundation for disco. Picture the Motown song orchestrations with arrangements by Barry White for the Salsoul Orchestra and you get (a bit of) the picture. Ultimately, Musical Massage is a little-known classic from the supposedly twilight years of Motown. This record reveals Ware as a talented but undercelebrated visionary; he envisioned the evolution of soul and went about to bring it to fruition. Musical Massage is a watermark not only for Ware, but for Motown as well.

Musical Massage (Expansion)


1 Learning How to Love You

2 Instant Love

3 Body Heat

4 Share Your Love

5 Holiday

6 Phantom Lover

7 Journey into You

8 Musical Massage

9 Comfort (Come Live with Me, Angel)

10 Long Time No See

11 With You

12 I Wanna Be Where You Are

13 French Waltz

14 Best of Two Worlds

15 Turn out the Light


Imagine MG would have recorded those songs! Does anyone have the album? It indeed sounds a bit like I Want You, the songs are not as strong though.
Ware's by far not as good as a singer as Marvin, so Marvin would have saved even the weaker tracks.

I hate to say it, but Marvin was not Motown's best songwriter. His biggest hits we're either completely or co-written by other people.
It's not to be mean, just a thought. that's why I Want You and Let's Get It On (side A) are my favorite MG albums!!
[Edited 2/28/09 2:28am]

Yep!



Leon Ware refused to give Berry & Marvin that album. And I don't blame him although Marvin would've murked EVERY note in that album :

Minnie Riperton is in the album too, which would've been a musical marriage had that duet been with Marvin since BOTH artists are extremely sensual.

Harlepolis said:

I think Leon should have given in to Marvin. I mean, nobody knows Leon Ware and how much did he sell (made money) of (with) that album? And none of these tracks get airplay today.
Had he given all his songs to Marvin gaye, Leon Ware would be much healthier.

I have that 'Musical Massage' album by Leon Ware It's a good album.

graecophilos said:

I for one respect him for sticking with his guns as opposed to kiss up Marvin and Berry - since it woulda been the easy wayout.

And beside, it gave his career an intersting spin, regardless of the popularity argument.

graecophilos said:

I agree If Leon had given this album to Marvin,it would have been the hit that it deserved to be.It's a logical follow-up to 'I Want You'.

Leon came to Motown at a BAD time. As soon as he had his own songs, how did HE think Motown would promote him? Come on now, they only looked at him as a songwriter. Sure he has a decent voice and I love his own songs but the politics of that time were as cruel as they are 10x the fold now. Leon never quite got off the ground as a soloist. I agree that Marvin would've tore "Musical Massage" up!

Timmy84 said:

that's right. You know, when I said he should have given the songs to MG I'm not just commercial. It's just a matter of making your songs known.
Leon is not the most intersting singer, I doubt his version of I Want You would have been as popular and influencial as Marvin's version was!

The album is good, and Marvin would have made the songs known!

graecophilos said:

Right. Marvin's voice was the perfect foil for Leon's productions regardless of Leon's personal feelings. Hell Leon's version of "Inside My Love" which he gave Minnie Riperton paled to her majestic version!
[Edited 2/28/09 11:50am]

Timmy84 said:

Right, I mean, you just gotta compare Marvins and Leon s versions of Come Live With Me Angel. They've the same music but it feels like a totally different song when Marvin sings it.

graecophilos said:

As Smokey Robinson would say, Marvin would "Marvin-ize" the songs you give to him! You can't even tell me Marvin didn't write "Come Live With Me Angel" even tho I know he didn't!

so what's your favorite song on the album? I didn't listen carefully enough to it yet, I'm too busy with listening to the Marvelettes.

graecophilos said:

On which one? "I Want You"?

I'm gonna pull this CD out and listen to it.I haven't heard it in years! Btw,after this album,Leon went in a disco direction.
[Edited 3/1/09 9:05am]

Timmy84 said:

Haha, Timmy, Love Massage.

graecophilos said:

I'll get back at you for that, lol. Like a week or so... lol...

Timmy84 said:

The title track:

Then again, I love the harmonies on this one:

Nah, this is my joint here!

Hell, it might be this, I'm very confused, lol:

Must be his original version of "Since I Had You" before Marvin touched it and made it "Since I Had You", lol.

As for Marvin not being the best songwriter in Motown, well no one can deny that. Marvin admitted he can never write songs by himself, he always enlisted friends to help him with lyrics and/or the music. He would sometimes have the lyrics but then have to have someone write the music. With Leon, Mr. Ware had the music but Marvin co-wrote some songs and re-arranged some songs and produced his own vocals with Leon's help.

I'm listening to the duet with Minnie Riperton - "Comfort".

I have to say that Leon provided Marvin with some fine material. I'm convinced Marvin re-arranged Leon's original album for his own benefit. Like I said, he makes you forget Leon Ware produced this but you definitely hear Marvin and Leon's work on other soul musicians.

I just don't feel Marvin singing Body Heat..
...but, I can feel Marvin on Phantom Lover, Turn Out The Light, Musical Massage, Journey Into You, Holiday, Learning How To Love , and of course the obvious two.

StarMon said:

Yeah Body Heat is strictly Leon's but I can definitely see him covering everything else!

Timmy84 said:

Yes that's it (the cut to the chase mix).. I took the long winding road, huh .

I peep'd the American Masters program on PBS early Monday morning feat. Nat Cole and Marvin.
[Edited 3/1/09 15:17pm]

StarMon said:

Damn did they come on back to back. I'll be lucky to catch American Masters on regular PBS, lol.

I need 2 get that album! I was just listening 2 the 'I Want You' album and it's still great 2 hear! Classic! I bet that album mentioned is a HOT one 2.I'm interested in getting that one. I gotta look 4 that one. Cool!

Timmy84 said:

Yes sir, back to back. Which is kinda rare, especially with my local PBS station.