Machine Gun  by The Commodores

On July 22, 1974, the Commodores released their debut studio album Machine Gun through Motown Records. Berry Gordy (an executive of Motown) gave the name to the title track—and evidently to the entire album—because Milan Williams' clavinet sound reminded him of machine gun fire.

The album is considered a classic example of 70s funk and R&B music. Unlike the group's later releases that included many ballads, "Machine Gun" focuses almost exclusively on funk rhythms, making extensive use of the clavinet and analog synthesizers. The band members actively contributed to the composition, with Ronald LaPread on bass and Lionel Richie and William King arranging the horns. Recording took place between 1972 and 1974 at the Motown Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

The Machine Gun album and its self-titled single marked the group's first major success, paving the way for their international career. Apart from the titular instrumental track, the single I Feel Sanctified also stood out, reaching No. 12 on the American R&B chart. The album also includes The Assembly Line, which has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists such as the Beastie Boys.