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Machine Gun (Commodores album)
1974 studio album by Commodores From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Machine Gun is the debut studio album by Commodores, released on July 22, 1974, on Motown Records.[3]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012) |
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Critical reception
Alex Henderson of Allmusic in a 3.5/5 stars review remarked, "What you won't find on Machine Gun are a lot of sentimental love ballads. In the late '70s, the Commodores became as famous for their ballads as they were for their funk and dance material, but believe it or not, there are no ballads to be found on this consistently funky, mostly up-tempo debut."[1]
With a B+ Robert Christgau of the Village Voice declared "The first side is good straight hard funk, kicked off by a title instrumental that's the best thing on the record--sure sign of a good straight hard funk band. The second side is acceptable straight hard funk, with some social consciousness thrown in by corporate stablemates Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones."[2]
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Singles
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The title track peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard R&B Singles charts, while reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Pop Singles charts, becoming the band's first hit. As a single "Machine Gun" also reached No. 20 on both the UK Singles chart and the Canadian RPM Pop Singles chart.[4][5]
The song is also featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 film Boogie Nights.
The second single to be released, "I Feel Sanctified", reached number 12 on the R&B charts, and concerns a man spiritually blessed by his girlfriend's love. The song has Ronald LaPread on bass guitar, Walter "Clyde" Orange on drums, while Lionel Richie and William King contributed horn arrangements. The tune has an a cappella introduction with three-way harmonization. Record World said of it "Bangin' out with a Salvation Army drum beat gone funk, the [Commodores] aim for a vocal bullseye."[6] The song has been called a "prototype" for Wild Cherry's 1976 hit "Play That Funky Music".[7] "I Feel Sanctified" was also later covered by that same group.
"The Human Zoo" was a staple on the Northern Soul scene at Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino with dancers back flipping spinning and hand clapping to the beat.
The drum break in the track "The Assembly Line" has been sampled many times, mainly used in Hip Hop, Drum & Bass and Jungle music.
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Track listing
Personnel
Commodores
- Lionel Richie – vocals, saxophones, keyboards
- Milan Williams – keyboards, guitars
- Thomas McClary – vocals, guitars
- Ronald LaPread – bass
- Walter Orange – drums, vocals, percussion[3]
- William King – trumpet, percussion
Production
- Producers – James Anthony Carmichael (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 & 10); Commodores (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 & 10); Jeffrey Bowen and George Tobin (Track 3); Gloria Jones and Pam Sawyer (Tracks 6 & 7); Clayton Ivey and Terry Woodford (Track 9).
- Arrangements – James Anthony Carmichael (Tracks 1–5, 8 & 10); Commodores (Tracks 1, 2, 4–8 & 10); George Tobin (Track 3); Gloria Jones (Tracks 6 & 7); Clayton Ivey and Terry Woodford (Track 9).
- Horn arrangements on Track 3 – James Anthony Carmichael
- Effects – Cal Harris
- Photography – Jim Britt[3]
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Charts
Certifications
References
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