Machine Gun (Commodores album)

Machine Gun
Studio album by Commodores
Released	July 22, 1974
Recorded	1972 - 1974 at Motown Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA
Genre	Funk, R&B
Length	36:07
Label	Motown Records
Producer	James Anthony Carmichael Commodores
Commodores chronology
Machine Gun (1974) Caught in the Act (1975)

Machine Gun is the first album from The Commodores, released on July 22, 1974 on the Motown Records.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

Unlike other Commodores albums, Machine Gun features only funk music and is devoid of slow-paced ballads. The lead song features Milan Williams on clavinet, which led Motown executive Berry Gordy to name the song "Machine Gun" as the clavinet work reminded him of gunfire.^{[citation needed]} This track peaked at #7 on the R&B charts, while reaching #22 on the overall pop charts. The song would later be sampled prominently by the Beastie Boys on the song "Hey Ladies" and featured in the film Boogie Nights (1997) as well.

The second single to be released, "I Feel Sanctified," reached #12 on the R&B charts, and concerns a man spiritually blessed by his girl's love. The song features Ronald LaPread on bass, while Lionel Richie and William King contributed horn arrangements. The tune also features an acapella introduction with three-way harmonization. The song "The Bump" became a radio and dancehall staple, with Richie and Walter Orange on vocals calling to female listeners to "...do the bump, do the bump, baby!" "The Assembly Line" and "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" are both socially charged songs concerning the challenges faced by those who try to make a difference in society. "The Zoo" features an introduction with Williams playing a melody resembling circus music.

The remaining songs are also funk tunes. On "Superman," Richie sings from the point of view of the superhero himself.

Trivia

This was also the last album recorded and produced at Motowns' Hitsville USA, being recorded in 1972, then released in 1974.

Track listing

1. "Machine Gun" (Milan Williams)
2. "Young Girls Are My Weakness" (William King, Ronald LaPread)
3. "I Feel Sanctified" (Lionel Richie, Jeffrey Bowen, Ronald LaPread, Walter Orange, Milan Williams, Thomas McClary)
4. "The Bump" (Milan Williams)
5. "Rapid Fire" (Milan Williams)
6. "Assembly Line" (Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer)
7. "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" (Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer)
8. "Gonna Blow Your Mind" (Thomas McClary, Walter Orange, Milan Williams)
9. "There's A Song In My Heart" (Lionel Richie)
10. "Superman" (Lionel Richie]

Charts

Year	Album	Chart positions
		US	US R&B
1974	Machine Gun	138	22

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions
		US	US R&B	US Dance
1974	"Machine Gun"	22	7	—
	"I Feel Sanctified"	75	12 (1975)	—

External links

• Commodores-Machine Gun at Discogs