Gaz v M.Machine?

**SandraDee** · February 10th, 2008, 08:01 AM

I love 'Sing Sing' by M.Machine which is on a CD compilation (Best Disco In Town - the first CD disco compilation I ever bought in the early 90s!) but I've since learned that the original was done by Gaz on Salsoul. How does the Gaz version compare & who were M.Machine? I know that Gaz were some of those Munich musicians like Thor Baldursson & Jurgen Korduletsch. Did the M stand for Munich perhaps & they were really the same group?

:icon_confused: Could some kind soul enlighten me please?

**Disco Funk** · February 10th, 2008, 08:29 AM

It's the same recording, the only difference is that the M Machine version is shorter. Even on the Best of Lollipop Records CD compilation, the M Machine credited track is short and has no drum break. I think it may have been an AKA used by Hot Productions. Although, the sound of the track does seem like it was a 1975 production (which I think is what the M Machine release date is written on the CD compilation), not like the 1978 era disco that Germany eventually put out, which was the year the Gaz record was released.

I have yet to come across an original 45 with the M Machine credit of Sing Sing.

Disco Funk

**SandraDee** · February 11th, 2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Written by Disco Funk

It's the same recording, the only difference is that the M Machine version is shorter.

Thanks for clearing that up DF; how strange that they should do that; why not say it's Gaz?

:icon_confused: Maybe I won't bother tracking down the Gaz version.

**The Boogie Doctor** · February 11th, 2008, 03:15 AM

Originally Written by SandraDee

I love 'Sing Sing' by M.Machine which is on a CD compilation (Best Disco In Town - the first CD disco compilation I ever bought in the early 90s!) but I've since learned that the original was done by Gaz on Salsoul. How does the Gaz version compare & who were M.Machine? I know that Gaz were some of those Munich musicians like Thor Baldursson & Jurgen Korduletsch. Did the M stand for Munich perhaps & they were really the same group?

:icon_confused: Could some kind soul enlighten me please?

I am inclined to think that the two purported versions are actually the same song differently credited. The band that played on the Gaz debut album (which included 'Sing Sing') was more or less the band behind the Munich Machine (Forsey, Baldursson et al). Furthermore, the Gaz album was partially recorded in Munich. I don't think the Munich Machine actually recorded their own version, but have incorrectly been credited as the composers of the tune. This is what I am inclined to think, yet I am not entirely certain it is the truth.

**The Boogie Doctor** · February 11th, 2008, 03:17 AM

oops, didn't see the previous responses

**QUINNY** · February 11th, 2008, 04:17 AM

The most likely answers are:
(a) M Machine recorded the track but for contractual reasons couldn't release it under that name and
(b) it was licensed to Salsoul who then gave it the monicker Gaz (because of the above, or
(c) they had to have different names for different territories (not entirely unusual), or
(d) Hot! Productions somehow screwed up.

It is the same track, without a doubt.

**Disco Funk** · February 11th, 2008, 07:06 PM

What, you haven't heard the Gaz version?! That's the one to get. The M Machine version is just a short edit.

There's an audio sample here of the full version:

Sing Sing

The breakdown is the best part of the song, for me. It was used/sampled by many rappers back in the day (starts at the 3:35 mark).

Disco Funk

**darrens** · February 14th, 2008, 10:37 AM

It's worth getting hold of the LP with the Gaz version of "Sing sing" on, simply because the rest of the LP is just as good.

When I say Gaz "version", I'll add that it's clear to me that the two are the same recording, and since I've never seen this song credited to "M Machine" except on Hot Productions releases, it may well be a Hot Productions mistake!

**SandraDee** · February 16th, 2008, 12:26 PM

I also have a Mastercuts Salsoul vol.2 CD which lists Gaz 'Sing Sing' on the inlay card but there's no sign of it when you play the CD! How annoying.

Looks like I'll have to get the LP to get the long version.

**markydefad** · February 16th, 2008, 12:42 PM

Originally Written by SandraDee

I also have a Mastercuts Salsoul vol.2 CD which lists Gaz 'Sing Sing' on the inlay card but there's no sign of it when you play the CD! How annoying.

Looks like I'll have to get the LP to get the long version.

SanDee,

I have that one too...was looking forward to hearing "Sing, Sing" and it wasn't there!!!!--what happened, I wonder?...ran out of room??? Couldn't get the clearance??? Forgot to change the artwork??? Things like that really piss me off...the lack of care in presentation--not bothering to spell the artist's names correctly, incorrect timings, ...if you're gonna release something--why not take a few minutes to check these things before sending incorrect data to a printer???

:icon_evil::icon_razz:

**SandraDee** · February 16th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

SanDee,

Things like that really piss me off...the lack of care in presentation--not bothering to spell the artist's names correctly, incorrect timings, ...if you're gonna release something--why not take a few minutes to check these things before sending incorrect data to a printer???

:icon_evil::icon_razz:

Oh me too blanche. If you're going to do something, do it right I say. Needless to say the Mastercuts series is British - quelle surprise! & on the subject of Mastercuts, am I alone in finding Ian Dewhirst who does the sleeve notes annoying?

**darrens** · February 20th, 2008, 05:20 AM

Originally Written by markydefad

SanDee,

I have that one too...was looking forward to hearing "Sing, Sing" and it wasn't there!!!!--what happened, I wonder?...ran out of room??? Couldn't get the clearance??? Forgot to change the artwork??? Things like that really piss me off...the lack of care in presentation--not bothering to spell the artist's names correctly, incorrect timings, ...if you're gonna release something--why not take a few minutes to check these things before sending incorrect data to a printer???

:icon_evil::icon_razz:

I have Salsoul Mastercuts Vol. 2 on Cassette - and it does have "Sing sing" on it! :icon_mrgreen: The cassette is well over 80 minutes long, and that must be the reason why it's not on the CD.

In the shops at the time, I noticed copies of this CD with Gaz listed on the inlay, and some copies (possibly later editions, having realised the mistake) not mentioning Gaz.

At the time (early 1990s) I didn't own a CD player so I was buying cassettes where possible. I also had a cassette of Salsoul Mastercuts Vol. 1 but the tape snapped in my car cassette player, so I bought a CD to replace it!