Machine

Description

Machine's album is a mystery. Released in 1972 on All Platinum Records, it immediately disappeared without a trace and only a few copies seem to have survived. It is now one of the rarest funk albums on the planet. The album - known only to a handful of collectors - fetches prices exceeding $5,000 on the rare occasions an original has appeared, only a few times in twenty years. Composed of three young studio musicians, the group plays a superb blend of militant funk and warm soul. Led by singer and guitarist Michael Watson, accompanied by bassist Curtis McTeer and drummer Donald McCoy, the Machine album came straight out of the All Platinum studios in New Jersey where Sylvia Robinson's label was then located. The musicians had been working for the label since the late 60s, mainly accompanying label groups such as The Whatnauts. The Whatnauts' manager, Bunch Herndon, also makes an appearance on the album as a percussionist. In addition to the core three musicians, the album's lineup includes several other cult musicians as well as orchestrator Sammy Lowe, a seasoned professional who had worked for Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Nina Simone, to name but a few. This solid group of musicians concocts a superb funk potion in the studio, providing the perfect setting for Michael Watson's compositions. On most of the album, he decides to add a social and political dimension to his music, a popular direction in the wake of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly," which had just been released with a bang. The album starts strong with the funk bomb "Time Is Running Out" and its enormous groove led by Ray Jones' Hammond organ, reinforced by a powerful brass section and relentless guitar riffs. The track is mainly instrumental except for the chorus sung ad-lib over the formidable groove. The song is followed by "Only People Can Save the World," a poignant ballad based on a similar structure with the chorus sung over a catchy instrumental. The album continues in the funk vein with the instrumental "Headhunter" featuring another explosive groove, followed by "World," a protest song dealing with the impact of the Vietnam War on the African-American community. The pace slows down with "Trails" before returning to its funk foundations on the instrumental "Lock Your Door" and ending beautifully on a sixties soul note with the track "Boots in the Snow." No one seems to have an explanation as to why this invisible album is so rare, fueling rumors that it was never actually released. We will probably never know the full story, but Wewantsounds is delighted to rectify this injustice and re-release this funky gem for the pleasure of all soul and funk fans. The album is reissued here in its original sleeve and remastered by Colorsound Studio in Paris. It includes a 2-page insert with new liner notes by English journalist Charles Waring.