Love Machine
Supermax are an Austrian band founded by Kurt Hauenstein in 1977. In 1978, Supermax released the album "World of Today" which bears the bands biggest hit, "Love Machine". The version posted here is from the 12" on Atlantic released in 1977 as a precursory track to the album in 1978. This track is not an in your face disco track, but more dark and seedy. There are definite qualities of being ethereal and almost ambient in a way, with of course, a strong beat. The vocals are sung with a sleezy quality that really takes this track to the next level. The long synth breakdown with the percussion and the "ahh-ooga's" is just unreal. Honestly, this track for me is one that really will always sound ahead of it's time...dark, lascivious and driving whilst feeling a bit blasé.
(Interesting side note, Supermax were the first multiracial band to tour South Africa. Despite near constant death threats, they played 21 shows causing quite a political scene and earned Kurt "no-entry" status to several countries.)
Supermax - Love Machine
Posted by T. Preston | 6 comments
Labels: dark disco, Supermax
June 5, 2009 at 6:08 AM
Wasn't apartheid stupid...you'd think it would have happened in the dark ages, never mind 1977. Anyhow, that track has kick and I agree with you it was ahead of it's time with so many kinds of unique musical style transitions within the song.
June 5, 2009 at 9:49 AM
literally one of my favorite songs ever. really dark and epic...."get a piece..." Are there other Supermax jams out there that need to be rocked? "African Blood" is pretty killer also.
June 5, 2009 at 4:39 PM
"dance dance dance" is a great tribal disco tune and also "be what you are" is another one, more soft rockish and downtempo (it would be nice to hear an edit of it).
love supermax forever...
June 7, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Great; it's just like Love in C Minor by Cerrone without the cackling rich ladies at the start. I love the synth-y slide whistle stuff and the talking electric guitar. "He's a love machine in town"?
June 9, 2009 at 3:08 PM
"dance, dance, dance" is the b-side to the love machine 12" mentioned here. such a great track i bought a repress that came out late last year, and just picked up Don't Stop and Fly With Me LPs on ebay. such a great band! did you find this over here?
June 16, 2009 at 8:56 PM
absolutely KILLER!