Commodores – Machine Gun

It's time, It's time!!!! I debated for some time of reviewing the 6 Brothers from "Tuskegee, Alabama" known as "The Commodores"....

Meeting each other as freshmen at "Tuskegee University", "Milan Williams" (Keyboards), "Ronald LaPread" (Bass and Trumpet), "Thomas McClary" (Guitar), "William King" (Trumpet and Keyboards), "Walter Orange" (Drums and Vocals), and the one and only "Lionel Richie" (Piano, Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals, and alright Ultimate Songwriter), brought each other the kind of comradery that very few groups enjoyed (even in the beginning)....

If I correctly, I read that they got their name out of the dictionary, and pointed to the word "Commodore"...."What the heck is a Commodore"?!?!?!?!, I used to ask when I was a Kid...Well, I found out it was a "Naval Officer" of high rank in the "Navy".....See, only in the '70's, you could get away with something like that (Brilliant!!!!)!!!!!

Impressing just about everyone that saw them, they first starting recording in 1969 for "Atlantic Records" and released their first single, "Keep On Dancing / Rise Up"....It didn't do much back them, but now over 50 years later, people are Groovin' to it....

After that didn't work, the group continued to sharpen their Musical skills....It finally got the attention of "Motown Records" in 1972, and released the offbeat but FUNKY single "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" (included on this album)...After they toured as the opening act for "The Jackson 5", "Motown" gave them the go ahead to get into the studio and record their debut album in "Machine Gun"...

Now, for those who are used to "The Commodores" that brought you smooth ts like "Easy", "Still" and "Sail On", let me warn you right now...YOU WILL NOT FIND ANY OF THAT HERE!!!!!! "The Commodores" were pure FUNK back then, showing that they could rival acts such as "Parliament Funkadelic", "The Bar-Kays", and "The Ohio Players", who were BLAZIN' at the time....

The album starts off with the "Milan Williams" Instrumental penned "Machine Gun" (1st Ultimate Crown Jewel)....This was the t that helped the group get noticed, as it became a Dancefloor dream, and a Top 20 HIT...."Milan's" Keyboards SHOOTS all over this danceable JAM, which made it so likeable....

After that, the FUNK is just poured out all over on ts like "Young Girls Are My Weakness", "I Feel Sanctified" (2nd Crown Jewel), and the 3rd Crown Jewel, "The Bump".....

The other Instrumental, "Rapid Fire" (also written by "Milan Williams"), finished where "Machine Gun" left off, with "Milan's" Keyboards, again SHOOTING all over the place (which made it the 4th Crown Jewel)!!!!!

The songs, The "Motown" motivated, "The Assembly Line" (Written and Produced by "Gloria Jones" and "Pam Sawyer") and "Gonna Blow Your Mind" (Written by "Milan Williams" and "Walter Orange"), fits this album perfectly, even though they just missed the Crown Jewel status....

The last two songs in "There's A Song In My Heart" and "Superman" were Written by Mr. Songwriter Himself, "Lionel Richie"...They were not the smooth songs he would become known for later, in fact both of these songs are EXTREMLY ROUGH!!!! "Lionel" still had the gip to gab in Writing though, and after this, he would surely improve!!!!!

It is note worthy to point out that this (and most of the group's albums) would not be possible without their Co-Producer, Arranger, and outright Brother "James Anthony Carmichael"....From the start, he seemed to understand each member, and was able to help them develop into the Band they turned out to be....

In writing this review, I am now sure glad I started this journey with "The Commodores"....This (like with all the others) is going to be fun, watching how this group grew into the Powerhouse that it became....

Are you ready? Good...Let's Go!!!!!!!

PS: I do wished that their past singles "Are You Happy", "Don't You Be Worried", "Determination", and their version of the "Diana Ross & The Supremes" HIT "Forever Came Today" was on this album (or any other album for that matter)....They were FIRST RATE Ultimate Crown Jewels!!!!! Maybe "Universal" and "Motown" will make a 2 LP Re-Issue, and make sure they are on there....Come on Record Companies!!!!! Get On Your Job!!!!!!!!