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N. Whitfield

Real Name:
Norman Jesse Whitfield
Profile:
Norman Whitfield (born May 12th, 1940, in Harlem/New York - died September 16th, 2008, in Los Angeles) was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s.
He is credited as being one of the creators of the Motown Sound, as well as one of the major instrumental figues in the late-60s sub-genre of psychedelic soul.

Whitfield left Motown in 1973 and created Whitfield Records, garnering chart success with Rose Royce, who started out as Edwin Starr's backing group. He won a Grammy Award in 1976 for his work on the "Car Wash" film soundtrack. He later retired from music in the late '80s.

The final months of his life were spent at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, undergoing treatment for diabetes and other ailments.
Variations:
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Discography

Production:
(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need / Don't Send Me Away (7", Single) (Loneliness Made Me Re... Gordy 1967
British Motown Chartbusters (LP) (I Know) I'm Losing Yo... Tamla Motown 1967
He Was Really Saying Somethin' / Needle In A Haystack (7")   Tamla Motown 1967
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (7")   Tamla Motown 1967
You're My Everything / I've Been Good To You (7", Single) You're My Everything Gordy 1967
I Am The Man For You Baby (7", Single) My Weakness Is You Gordy 1968
The End Of Our Road (7", Single)   Soul 1968
Abraham, Martin And John (7")   Tamla Motown 1969
Cloud Nine (Single) (2 versions)   Gordy ... 1969
Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down / Since I've Lost You (7", Single)   Tamla Motown 1969
Runaway Child, Running Wild (7", Single)   Gordy 1969
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (7")   Motown 1969
I'll Say Forever My Love (7", Single) Everybody Needs Love Tamla Motown 1970
Temptations Greatest Hits II (LP)   Gordy 1970
Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) (7")   Phonodisc (Canada) 1970
War / He Who Picks A Rose (7", Single)   Gordy 1970
You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth (7")   Gordy 1970
Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On / Cloud Nine (3 versions)   Gordy ... 1971
Smiling Faces Sometimes (7")   Gordy 1971
The Undisputed Truth (Album) (4 versions)   Gordy ... 1971
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (7")   Tamla Motown 1972
Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Run Charlie Run (7")   Tamla Motown 1972
Law Of The Land / Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (7")   Gordy 1973
Let Your Hair Down (2 versions)   Tamla Motown ... 1973
Let's Get It On (7", Single) I Wish It Would Rain Tamla 1973
Masterpiece (5 versions)   Gordy ... 1973
You've Got My Soul On Fire / Heavenly (7")   Tamla Motown 1973
Anthology (2xLP, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Tamla Motown 1974
I'm A Fool For You / The Girl's Alright With Me (2 versions)   Gordy 1974
It Should Have Been Me (12", Promo)   Motown 1976
Midnight Lady (7") Midnight Lady Rare Earth 1976
The Best Of Marvin Gaye's Greatest Hits (LP, Album, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Motown, EMI-Bovema Holland 1976
You Gotta Believe (7") You Gotta Believe Blue Thumb Records 1976
Motown's Great Interpretations (LP, Comp) It's Your Thing Natural Resources 1977
Paradise / Hip Shakin' Sexy Lady (7")   Whitfield Records 1978
Strikes Again (LP, Album)   Whitfield Records 1978
The Look Of Love (LP)   Music For Pleasure 1978
Back Street Boogie / Don't Let Me Go Astray (12")   Whitfield Records, Warner Bros. Records 1979
Smokin' (LP, Album)   Warner Bros. Records 1979
20 Golden Greats (LP, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Motown, Disques Vogue 1980
Golden Touch (2 versions)   Whitfield Records 1980
What's Going On (7", Single) I Heard It Through The... Motown 1983
I Heard It Through The Grapevine / Can I Get A Witness (7", Single, RE) I Heard It Through The... Tamla Motown 1986
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 versions) I Heard It Through The... Tamla Motown ... 1988
The Best Of Marvin Gaye (LP, Comp)   Motown 1994
The Hitsound Of Motown (2xCD, Comp) He Was Really Saying S... Motown 1994
Tamla Motown Connoisseurs Volume 2 (CD, Comp, Album) Way Over There, I Got ... Spectrum Music (2) 2003
The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 7: 1967 (7", Single, RP + 5xCD, Comp, RM, Ltd) I Heard It Through The... Hip-O Select 2007
(I Know) I'm Losing You / When Joanie Smiles (7", Single) (I Know) I'm Losing You Pathé Marconi EMI  
Cloud 9 / Runaway Child, Running Wild (7", RE)   Motown  
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (7")   Motown  
Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I (7")   Motown  
Psychedelic Shack / I Can't Get Next To You (7", RE)   Motown  
Superstar (7")   Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H., Tamla Motown  
War / Stop The War Now (7", RE)   Motown  
Mix:
Smokin' (Album) (2 versions)   Whitfield Records ... 1979
Appears On:
Where Did Our Love Go / He Means The World To Me (7", Single) He Means The World To Me CBS 1964
Stop! In The Name Of Love (7", EP, Promo)   Stateside 1965
(I Know) I'm Losing You / I Couldn't Cry If I Wanted To (7", Single)   Gordy 1966
Away We A Go-Go (2 versions) Beauty Is Only Skin Deep Tamla 1966
(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need / Don't Send Me Away (7", Single) (Loneliness Made Me Re... Gordy 1967
Stepping Closer To Your Heart (7") Everybody Needs Love Soul 1967
You're My Everything / I've Been Good To You (7", Single) You're My Everything Gordy 1967
A New Time - A New Day (LP) I Wish It Would Rain Columbia 1968
I Am The Man For You Baby (7", Single) My Weakness Is You Gordy 1968
The End Of Our Road (7", Single) The End Of Our Road, D... Soul 1968
The Original Sound Track From T.C.B. (Takin' Care Of Business) (2 versions) Ain't Too Proud To Beg... Motown 1968
Abraham, Martin And John (7") How Can I Forget Tamla Motown 1969
Bedlam (LP, Album) I Heard It Through The... Rare Earth 1969
Cloud Nine (Single) (2 versions)   Gordy ... 1969
Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down / Since I've Lost You (7", Single)   Tamla Motown 1969
Runaway Child, Running Wild (7", Single)   Gordy 1969
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (7")   Motown 1969
I'll Say Forever My Love (7", Single) Everybody Needs Love Tamla Motown 1970
Temptations Greatest Hits II (LP) Cloud Nine, I Wish It ... Gordy 1970
Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) (7")   Phonodisc (Canada) 1970
War (2 versions)   Motown 1970
War / He Who Picks A Rose (7", Single) War, He Who Picks A Rose Gordy 1970
You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth (7") You Make Your Own Heav... Gordy 1970
(I Know) I'm Losing You / Mandolin Wind (Single) (2 versions) (I Know) I'm Losing You Mercury ... 1971
Every Picture Tells A Story (LP, Album) (I Know) I'm Losing You Mercury 1971
Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On / Cloud Nine (3 versions)   Gordy ... 1971
Guns Don't Argue (LP, Album) Too Proud To Beg, Ever... Trojan Records 1971
Motown Chartbusters Vol. 4 (Vinyl, Comp) You Need Love Like I D... Motown 1971
Mouth & MacNeal (LP, Album) I Heard It Through The... Decca 1971
Smiling Faces Sometimes (7")   Gordy 1971
The Undisputed Truth (Album) (4 versions) You Got The Love I Nee... Gordy ... 1971
24 Smash Hits International (2xLP, Comp, Gat) (I Know) I'm Losing You Philips 1972
How Do You Do? (LP, Album) I Heard It Through The... Philips 1972
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (Single) (3 versions)   Gordy ... 1972
Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Run Charlie Run (7") Papa Was A Rolling Stone Tamla Motown 1972
I Heard It Through The Grapevine / You (7", Single) I Heard It Through The... Motown 1973
Law Of The Land / Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (7")   Gordy 1973
Let Your Hair Down (2 versions)   Tamla Motown ... 1973
Let's Get It On (Single) (2 versions) I Wish It Would Rain Tamla ... 1973
Masterpiece (2 versions)   Gordy 1973
You've Got My Soul On Fire / Heavenly (7")   Tamla Motown 1973
Anthology (2xLP, Comp) Pride And Joy, I Heard... Tamla Motown 1974
I'm A Fool For You / The Girl's Alright With Me (2 versions)   Gordy 1974
Super Slick (LP, Album) Just My Imagination Money Records (2) 1974
The Motown Sound (LP, Comp) I'm A Fool For You, Fu... Pathé Marconi EMI 1974
Safety Zone (LP, Album) I Wish It Would Rain United Artists Records 1975
Gotham City Boogie / Sunrise (From "Car Wash") (12") Sunrise (From "Car Wash") Contempo 1976
It Should Have Been Me (12", Promo)   Motown 1976
Midnight Lady (7") Midnight Lady, Midnigh... Rare Earth 1976
Motown Monster Hits Volume II (LP, Comp) Gonna Give Her All The... Pickwick 1976
Shoogie Wanna Boogie (LP, Album) Just My Imagination (R... Kudu 1976
The Best Of Marvin Gaye's Greatest Hits (LP, Album, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Motown, EMI-Bovema Holland 1976
You Gotta Believe (7") You Gotta Believe Blue Thumb Records 1976
Do Your Dance (7")   Warner Bros. Records 1977
Meat Heat (LP) Sunrise Contempo 1977
Motown's Great Interpretations (LP, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Natural Resources 1977
Patti Labelle (LP, Promo) Funky Music Epic 1977
Paradise / Hip Shakin' Sexy Lady (7") Hip Shakin' Sexy Lady Whitfield Records 1978
Stargard (LP, Album) Theme From "Which Way ... EMI-Bovema Holland 1978
Strikes Again (LP, Album) Get Up Off Your Fat, D... Whitfield Records 1978
The Look Of Love (LP) I Wish It Would Rain, ... Music For Pleasure 1978
Too Good For A One Night Stand (LP, Gat) Car Wash Hammard 1978
Back Street Boogie / Don't Let Me Go Astray (12") Back Street Boogie Whitfield Records, Warner Bros. Records 1979
Disco Dice (LP, Comp) Back Street Boogie WEA, WEA Records B.V. 1979
Hot Butterfly (2 versions) Do It Right RSO Records ... 1979
Smokin' (Album) (2 versions) Show Time, Talkin' To ... Whitfield Records ... 1979
Wishing On A Star / Back Street Boogie (7", Promo) Back Street Boogie Whitfield Records 1979
20 Golden Greats (LP, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Motown, Disques Vogue 1980
Golden Touch (2 versions) I Wanna Make It With Y... Whitfield Records 1980
Motown Highlights 1971-1975 (LP, Comp) Papa Was A Rollin' Sto... Motown 1980
Pop Your Fingers / I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (7") Pop Your Fingers Whitfield Records 1980
The Last Dance (LP) Just My Imagination (R... EMI Records 1980
Jump Street (LP, Album) R.R. Express, Please R... Whitfield Records 1981
Longplay Album (Volume II) (LP, Comp, Mixed) Papa Was A Rolling Sto... Delta (Italy) 1981
Stars On Long Play II (LP, Comp, Mixed) Papa Was A Rolling Sto... Radio Records (5) 1981
Beat Surrender (12") War Polydor, Polydor 1982
Music Of Quality & Distinction Volume 1 (Album) (4 versions) Ball Of Confusion Virgin ... 1982
Really Saying Something (Single) (2 versions) Really Saying Somethin... Deram ... 1982
Stop The War (3 versions) Stop The War Island Records 1982
The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow) (12", EP) War Polydor, Polydor 1982
Disco Inverno 1984 (12", Promo) Wherever I Lay My Hat ... CBS 1983
What's Going On (7", Single) I Heard It Through The... Motown 1983
Wherever I Lay My Hat / Sex (Extended Club Mix Versions) (12") Wherever I Lay My Hat ... Columbia 1983
Law Of The Land (12") Law Of The Land Target Records (Belgium) 1984
Lost Boys (Album) (3 versions) I Heard It From The Gr... Ten Records Ltd. (10 Records) 1984
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (12")   Quality Records Ltd. 1984
Ball Of Confusion (Single) (2 versions)   Vertigo 1985
Cloud Nine (12")   Metropolis Records (2) 1985
Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven (Album) (2 versions) Ball Of Confusion (12"... Beggars Banquet ... 1985
I Heard It Through The Grapevine / Can I Get A Witness (7", Single, RE) I Heard It Through The... Tamla Motown 1986
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (12") Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Target Records (Belgium) 1986
War (3 versions) War CBS 1986
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (7", Single) I Heard It Through The... Priority Records 1987
Law Of The Land (12") Law Of The Land ('87 R... Plaza Records (Belgium) 1987
Open Hits (Cass, Comp) War Open Records, Sono Trex 1987
Turn On The Moon (12") I Wanna Get Next To You 2000 A.D. Records 1987
When The Fingers Point (CD, Single)   Island Records 1987
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 versions) I Heard It Through The... Tamla Motown ... 1988
Reach Out I'll Be There (LP) I Know (I'm Losing You... Duchesse Records 1988
Time Is Tight / Love Ain't No Toy (7", Single) Love Ain't No Toy RCA, RCA Italiana 1988
Crucial Tracks (Best Of Aswad) (LP, Comp) Beauty's Only Skin Deep Island Records 1989
The Incredible Base (LP, Album) War FFRR, Profile Records 1989
Video Anthology / 1978-88 (VHS, PAL)   CMV Enterprises 1989
Are You Okay? (Album) (2 versions) Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Fontana 1990
Dance Hits (2xLP, Comp) Papa Was A Rolling Stone Finnlevy 1990
Papa Was A Rolling Stone (12")   Chrysalis 1990
The Sound Of The Future ...Now! (CD, Comp) Papa Was A Rolling Sto... PolyGram Group Canada Inc. 1990
Tour Of Duty (CD) I Heard It Through The... Magnum 1990
Boy (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) (12", Promo)   Epic, Epic 1991
From Time To Time (The Singles Collection) (CD, Comp) Wherever I Lay My Hat ... Columbia, Columbia 1991
It Should Have Been Me (12", Single)   Capitol Records 1991
Love Or Lust (CD, Album) It Should Have Been Me Capitol Records 1991
Hello, Dad...I'm In Jail (LP, Album) Papa Was A Rolling Stone Fontana 1992
Move On 2 - 2 In One (2xLP, Comp) It Should've Been Me (... Virgin Schallplatten GmbH 1992
New Wave Club Class•X 6 (CD, Comp) Ball Of Confusion (UK ... Antler-Subway 1992
Time Flies When You're Gangster Fun (CD, Album)   ICUPP Records 1992
Sings Jamaican Rock Steady-Reggae (CD, Comp, RM) Sitting On Top, The Gi... Jamaican Gold 1993
The Bomb (12") No Exit (LP Version) Interscope Records 1993
The Best Of Marvin Gaye (LP, Comp) I Heard It Through The... Motown 1994
The Hitsound Of Motown (2xCD, Comp) He Was Really Saying S... Motown 1994
25 Rolling Oldies Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) Car Wash (Live), I Hea... Selected Sound Carrier AG 1995
Best Ballads (CD) Wherever I Lay My Hat ... Columbia 1995
Medusa (Album) (6 versions) I Can't Get Next To You Arista ... 1995
Music From And Inspired By The Promised Land (Comp) (2 versions) Ball Of Confusion Columbia 1995
La Légende Des Tubes Volume 4 (CD, Comp) I Heard It Through The... PolyGram - Kiosks 1996
The Way It Is (CD, Album) War Synthetic Symphony 1996
What Is It / Can You Feel It (CD, Comp) Message From A Black Man BGP Records 1996
La Légende Des Tubes Volume 19 (CD) Papa Was A Rolling Stone PolyGram - Kiosks 1997
La Légende Des Tubes Volume 23 (CD) Car Wash PolyGram - Kiosks 1997
Motown Chartbusters Volume 1 (CD, Comp) (I Know) I'm Losing Yo... Spectrum Music (2) 1997
Ultra-Lounge - On The Rocks Part Two (Comp) (2 versions) I Heard It Through The... Capitol Records 1997
Blue Breakbeats (LP, Comp) Smiling Faces Sometimes Blue Note 1998
The New Authentic (CD, Album) I Heard It Through The... Beatville Records 1999
Dance Classics Volume 1&2 (2xCD, Comp, RM) Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Arcade 2000
Highlights Of The 50ies, 60ies And 70ies (2xCD, Comp) Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Magic Factory 2000
Live @ Millennium (CD, Comp, Mixed) Car Wash Transparence Records 2001
...Harlem's Greatest (CD, Comp) My Hood Epic 2002
Cradle 2 The Grave (Comp) (2 versions) Fireman Bloodline Records ... 2003
Never, Never, Land (Album) (2 versions) Eye For An Eye, Eye Fo... Universal Island Records ... 2003
Remixes (CD, Single, Promo, Ltd)   Island Records 2003
Tamla Motown Connoisseurs Volume 2 (CD, Comp, Album) I Got Heaven Right Her... Spectrum Music (2) 2003
Timeless - I Più Grandi Artisti Le Più Belle Canzoni Di Tutti I Tempi (2xCD, Comp) I Heard It Through The... BMG Ricordi S.p.A. 2004
:Først På Jobb (CD, Album, Promo) Working At The Car Wash Not On Label 2005
Cross Road (Deluxe Sound & Vision) (2xCD, Album + DVD) I'll Sleep When I'm De... Mercury 2005
Optimo Present Psyche Out (CD, Sli) Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Eskimo Recordings 2005
Rhapsody In Rock - The 2005 Summer Tour (DVD-V, Comp) Car Wash Arthur Music 2005
Collections (CD, Album, Comp) It Should Have Been Me Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Netherlands) 2006
Come On Soul! Volume 1 (CD, Comp) Everybody Needs Love Légère Recordings 2006
Self Defence - Never Never Land Reconstructed And Bonus Beats (UK) (4xCD, Maxi + Box, Ltd)   GU Music 2006
Born & Raised (CD, Album) Something Stirrin' Up Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) 2007
Deep Sea Skiving (CD, Album, RM) Really Saying Something Rhino (UK) 2007
The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 7: 1967 (7", Single, RP + 5xCD, Comp, RM, Ltd) I Heard It Through The... Hip-O Select 2007
Untitled (2xLP, Album) You Can't Stop Us Now Def Jam Recordings, Columbia 2008
(I Know) I'm Losing You / When Joanie Smiles (7", Single) (I Know) I'm Losing You Pathé Marconi EMI  
1969 - 1974 (CD, Comp) (I Know) I'm Losing You Mercury  
Boy From Crosstown / Double Determination (7", Promo, Single) Boy From Crosstown Mr. G Records  
Cloud 9 / Runaway Child, Running Wild (7", RE)   Motown  
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (7") I Heard It Through The... Motown  
I Heard It Through The Grapevine / Wherever I Lay My Hat / What's Going On (12", Maxi) I Heard It Through The... Motown  
It's Only Rock 'N Roll (LP, Album, Promo, RE) Ain't Too Proud To Beg Rolling Stones Records  
Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I (7")   Motown  
M.P.G. (LP, RE) Too Busy Thinking Abou... Motown, Bellaphon  
Maggie May / (I Know) I'm Losing You (7", Single) (I Know) I'm Losing You Mercury  
Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Smiling Faces Sometimes (7")   Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H., Tamla Motown  
Papa Was A Rolling Stone (7") Papa Was A Rolling Stone Seabird  
Psychedelic Shack / I Can't Get Next To You (7", RE) Psychedelic Shack, I C... Motown  
Sayin It, Doin It / Papa Was A Rolling Stone (7", Single) Papa Was A Rolling Stone Amour Records (2)  
Superstar (7")   Electrola Gesellschaft m.b.H., Tamla Motown  
War / 25 Miles (7", Single, RE) War Tamla Motown  
Which Way Is Up (12") Which Way Is Up, Car Wash Debut  
Unofficial Releases:
Afro Trance - Cosmic Communication (LP) Ball Of Confusion Cosmic Communications  
Freak Flic Band (LP, Comp, Promo) Papa Was A Rolling Stone Flip Record  
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by Stoffeler10 Apr 11, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)
Arguable one of the greatest sound creators and innovators in 70`s Soul and Disco . With his stock of excellent session muscians like Melvin Ragin, better known as Wah Wah Watson, or Aaron Smith and Earl van Dyke, he was capable to make his mark on any of his projects. Whether it was UNDISPUTED TRUTH, THE TEMPTATIONS ,DAVID RUFFIN or ROSE ROYCE.
Whitfields "recycling technique" - recording hits like Superstar or Papa Was A Rollin`Stone and many others - again and again in new versions with different bands, reveals him as one of the first producers using the mix as an instrument of interpretation as we know it today. His way to arrange and produce was unique. His introduction of using the beat box instead of drums not only on tracks like 1990 or Big John Is My Name is so much forward, that one has to look on the record sleeves again to believe when they were recorded. No doubt: "Produced By Norman Whitfield" was one of the best certificates of quality a record could get during this time.

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