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World Machine (song)

"World Machine" is a song written by Wally Badarou, Phil Gould, Mark King and Mike Lindup that became the title track of English jazz-funk band Level 42's sixth studio album. A remix of the song by Shep Pettibone was released as a 12-inch single in the US in 1986 and peaked at number 25 on Billboard magazine's Hot Dance/Disco – Club Play in 1987.[1]

Critical reception

The review of the 12-inch single remix in Billboard read, "Pulsating electrojazz cut, much requested earlier this year as an album track, newly remixed for club impact."[2] In his review of the World Machine album for Rolling Stone, Steve Bloom wrote that the title track was "their best effort: propelled by Phil Gould's explosive tribal beat, it showcases Mike Lindup's considerable keyboard talents."[3] William Cooper's retrospective review of the album for AllMusic noted, "The jazzy, upbeat title track is one of the band's finest moments."[4]

Track listing

  • 12-inch single[5]
  1. "World Machine" (remix) – 5:39
  2. "World Machine" (dub) – 7:24

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes for the World Machine album.[6]

References

  1. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 152.
  2. ^ "Reviews >Singles >Dance" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 47. November 22, 1986. p. 79. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Bloom, Steve (April 24, 1986). "Level 42 – World Machine". Rolling Stone. No. RS 472. p. 60. ISSN 0035-791X.
  4. ^ Cooper, William. "World Machine – Level 42". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  5. ^ World Machine (The Shep Pettibone Remix) (12-inch single liner notes). Level 42. Polydor Records. 1986. 885 471-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ World Machine (record sleeve). Level 42. London: Polydor Records. 1985. 827 487-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

Bibliography

  • Whitburn, Joel (2004), Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco, 1974-2003, Record Research Inc., ISBN 978-0-89820-156-7