Live Volume One by Supermax: A Funky Time Capsule That Still Grooves
Alright, let’s talk about Live Volume One by Supermax, a hidden gem from the funk/soul scene that dropped in 1983. If you’re into disco vibes with a side of raw energy, this one’s for you. Released under AVI Records and crafted by the dream team of Producer Peter Hauke, Engineer Nigel Jopson, and Executive Producer Ray Harris (with tunes penned by Kurt Hauenstein), this album feels like stepping into a neon-lit roller rink where everyone knows the moves but no one takes themselves too seriously.
Now, let’s get real for a sec—this record isn’t perfect. It has its quirks, like that one friend who insists on wearing mismatched socks to a wedding. But somehow, it works. Two tracks stand out so much they’ll stick to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk: “Dance Dance Dance” and “It’s A Long Way To Reach Heaven.”
“Dance Dance Dance” is exactly what it says on the tin—a straight-up banger designed to make your feet move faster than your brain can process embarrassment. The groove hits hard, the bassline slaps harder, and before you know it, you’re flailing around your living room pretending you’re auditioning for Soul Train. This track doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it polishes the heck out of it and rolls right into your heart. You remember it because it’s impossible not to—it’s catchy as all get-out and twice as fun.
On the flip side (pun intended), “It’s A Long Way To Reach Heaven” slows things down just enough to give you feels without killing the vibe. There’s something magical about how the melody builds, layer by layer, until you’re floating somewhere between nostalgia and euphoria. It’s the kind of song that makes you stare out a rainy window while sipping coffee and wondering if life might actually have meaning after all. Or maybe you’re just really caffeinated. Either way, it sticks.
The rest of the album keeps the party going with tracks like “Musikexpress,” which sounds like an over-enthusiastic attempt at capturing the spirit of European train travel through music (spoiler: it kinda works). Then there’s “Reggae On Baby,” which leans dangerously close to being cheesy but pulls it off with charm. And hey, props to “Fly With Me” for giving us wings—or at least making us feel like we could glide across the dance floor without face-planting.
So here’s the deal: Live Volume One ain’t gonna change your life or anything, but it sure knows how to throw a good time. Listening to it feels like finding an old mixtape in the back of your closet—you didn’t expect much, but suddenly you’re grinning ear to ear. Maybe that’s why it still holds up today. Or maybe I’m just easily amused. Who knows?
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof of human creativity, hand them this album. They’ll either beam us aboard their spaceship for further study or politely decline and leave us alone forever. Either outcome seems pretty solid to me.
