Luv Machine

An extremely obscure and short-lived casualty of the early-'70s British rock scene, Luv Machine performed a heavy brand of psych and acid rock with progressive tendencies, funky grooves, and a rather unique cultural perspective, thanks to the fact that its founding members, Michael Bishop (guitar, vocals), Bob Bowman (guitar, vocals), and Errol Bradshaw (drums, vocals), had only recently relocated from their West Indies home of Barbados. Bassist John Jeavons became the band's lone England-born member when original bass player Merlin Norville grew weary of living in the U.K. and departed the group. After only a few months of rehearsing, Luv Machine were slated to record their debut single, Witches Wand, by the end of 1970 -- but the sessions quickly expanded into the makings of a full album that Polydor released in March of 1971, and whose songs boasted an obvious debt to both Anglo and American inspirations like Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and Vanilla Fudge. Unfortunately, the label provided no promotional or financial support and the group quickly fell apart, leaving only that one album to wallow in cult status and be given occasional reissues through the years, including 2006's retitled Turns You On. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia