 In the early 1960s he began playing in Johnny Trudell's orchestra, and came to know many of the musicians who, then and later, worked at Motown, including bass player James Jamerson who sometimes substituted for him in Trudell's band.He began working for Motown in 1968, and was responsible for arranging Marvin Gaye's albums "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On", as well as singles including "Nathan Jones" by The Supremes, "Still Water (Love)" by the Four Tops, "Ball of Confusion" and "Psychedelic Shack" by the Temptations, "If I Were Your Woman" by Gladys Knight, "Indiana Wants Me" by R. Dean Taylor, and "If You Really Love Me" by Stevie Wonder.He was nominated for a Grammy in 1971 for his work on "What's Going On".