World Machine (song)

"World Machine" (Shep Pettibone remix)
Single by Level 42
from the album World Machine
B-side"World Machine" (dub)
Released1986
GenreJazz-funk
Length5:39
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Wally Badarou
  • Level 42
Level 42 singles chronology
"Lessons in Love"
(1986) 		"World Machine" (Shep Pettibone remix)
(1986) 		"Running in the Family"
(1987)
Licensed audio
"World Machine" (Shep Pettibone remix) on YouTube

"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