Machine Gun Funk

The Commodores: Machine Gun and Gonna Blow Your Mind
From: Machine Gun (Motown, 1974)

Hey, remember when the Commodores were a lean mean funk machine? Shit, me neither, but thanks to the wonder of modern technology I can now bring you the magic of The Commodores first released album, Machine Gun, a quality piece of 70's funk by a band blissfully ignorant of their ballad strewn future. Seriously, I strongly recommend listening to these tracks before crying out in disgust at my choice of artist.

Formed in a casual manner at the end of the 60's as a way to pick up girls (surely the number one reason behind starting any band), The Commodores struck gold when they auditioned successfully to be the support group for the Jackson 5's 1971 tour. Soon after they were signed to Motown records as part of it's attempt to keep up with the rising trend for funk outfits and the rest, as they say, is history.

Machine Gun was their hit record of the album, introducing the world to their sound. One of those songs that everybody recognizes as soon as it starts but few seem to know who it's by, it's perfect for getting in that summertime mood with its skating-extremely-close-to-the-edge-of-cheese keyboards layered over a simple but supremely funky riff. Don't try to deny how much fun this track is.

Gonna Blow Your Mind is a more serious effort. Less poppy than Machine Gun it's a choice cut of the kind of dirty funk The Commodores did so well in the early stage of their career. Lots of subtle touches on the production add to the overall flavor and there's a drum breakdown halfway through that leads to a brilliant headnodder of a second half. Full of squelching bass and synth keyboards, it's the perfect song to play to anyone questioning the truth that once upon a time the Commodores oozed funk from every pore.