Riding high on the success of the landmark What's Going On, Marvin Gaye won a lucrative record contract and total creative freedom for his next project. Following in the footsteps of Isaac Hayes (Shaft) and Curtis Mayfield (Superfly), he chose to compose the soundtrack for the blaxploitation flick Trouble Man. Though the movie flopped, the album endures. Gaye conducts a full orchestra, including sci-fi synths and sultry horns, on these mostly instrumental tracks, which traverse moods ranging from seductive to suspenseful to just plain cool. Flecked with Gaye's angelic vocals, Trouble Man transcends mere soundtrack fare.