Brainstorm isn't a name that usually pops up in casual conversations about the seventies. It really should, though. When people talk about disco, they usually drift toward the Bee Gees or Donna Summer, but if you want to talk about raw, unadulterated energy, you have to talk about Lovin Is Really My Game. This track is a monster. It’s a relentless, high-octane masterpiece that defines the bridge between funk and the peak of the disco era. Honestly, if you’ve ever been in a club when the DJ drops this, you know the vibe immediately changes from "cool swaying" to "absolute chaos on the floor." It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic.
The song was released in 1977 on their debut album, Stormin'. Brainstorm was an 8-piece band out of Detroit, and you can hear that Motor City grit in every single bar of the music. They weren't just a studio project. They were a tight-knit unit of musicians who knew how to lock into a groove and stay there until the room started sweating. While some disco was criticized for being over-produced or "plastic," Brainstorm brought a level of musicianship that was closer to Parliament-Funkadelic than it was to a pop factory.
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The Relentless Tempo of Brainstorm
Most disco tracks sit comfortably between 110 and 125 beats per minute. Not this one. Lovin Is Really My Game clocks in at a blistering pace that pushes closer to 135 BPM in certain live iterations and extended mixes. It’s a marathon for the drummer. Renell Gonsalves, the man behind the kit, deserves some kind of athletic medal for the performance on this record. He keeps that four-on-the-floor kick drum steady while the hi-hats are sizzling like a steak on a hot grill.
It starts with that iconic horn blast. Then the bass kicks in. It’s a driving, melodic line that doesn't just provide the foundation; it acts as a secondary lead instrument. If you're a bass player and you haven't studied this track, you're missing out on a masterclass in endurance. You’ve got to keep that thumb moving for over seven minutes on the full-length version. It's grueling. It's beautiful.
Belita Woods: The Secret Weapon
We cannot talk about this song without talking about Belita Woods. Her vocals are the soul of the track. She doesn't just sing the lyrics; she attacks them with a ferocity that few of her contemporaries could match. Her voice has this incredible rasp and power that allows her to cut through the wall of brass and percussion. When she screams "Lovin' is really my game," you believe her. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a statement of fact.
Belita went on to join Parliament-Funkadelic later in her career, which makes total sense when you hear the "P-Funk" DNA in Brainstorm’s arrangements. She had that rare ability to be both a powerhouse lead and a perfect ensemble player. In the breakdown of the song, where the instruments drop out and it's just the percussion and her vocals, you can hear the sheer grit in her delivery. It’s raw. It’s soulful. It’s why the song has outlived so many other forgotten disco hits.
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Production Secrets and the 12-Inch Mix
In the late 70s, the 12-inch single was the king of the nightclub. Lovin Is Really My Game benefited immensely from this format. The extended version allowed the band to stretch out, giving the horns room to breathe and the percussion a chance to build into a frenzy. Jerry Peters, who produced the track, knew exactly what he was doing. He balanced the polished sound required for radio with the ruggedness needed for the underground dance scene.
What’s interesting is how the song uses dynamics. Usually, disco is pretty "flat" in terms of volume—it’s just loud all the way through. Brainstorm used builds. They used tension. They would strip the song down to a minimalist rhythmic pulse and then explode back in with the full horn section. This "push and pull" is what keeps a seven-minute track from feeling repetitive.
- The percussion section used a mix of traditional drums and Latin-inspired congas.
- The horn arrangements were written with a "staccato" style to emphasize the speed.
- The lyrics, while simple, were delivered with a rhythmic complexity that mirrored the instruments.
The Cultural Legacy and Modern Samples
Why does this song still matter in 2026? Because it’s been sampled and covered by everyone from Sylvester to Bette Midler. It’s a "DJ's DJ" track. When a house music producer wants to inject some soul into a set, they often turn to Brainstorm. The track's energy is timeless because it wasn't built on gimmicks. It was built on the chemistry of eight people playing their hearts out in a room.
The song also represents a specific moment in Detroit's musical history. While Motown had moved to Los Angeles, the talent remained in Michigan. Brainstorm was part of that "second wave" of Detroit greatness, blending the sophistication of soul with the burgeoning electronic influences of the late 70s. You can hear the roots of techno and house music in the repetitive, hypnotic nature of the drum patterns here. It’s a direct ancestor to the dance music we listen to today.
Mistakes People Make About Brainstorm
A lot of people think Brainstorm was a one-hit wonder. That’s not quite fair. While Lovin Is Really My Game was their biggest commercial success, tracks like "Wake Up and Be Somebody" and "Journey to the Light" showed a much more spiritual, jazz-fusion side of the band. They were incredibly versatile. If you only listen to the hits, you’re missing the depth of their musicianship. They could play anything.
Another misconception is that the song is "easy" to play because it's disco. Try it. Try keeping that tempo for eight minutes without dragging or rushing. It’s a technical nightmare. The precision required to keep those horn hits perfectly synced with the snare drum at that speed is immense.
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How to Experience This Track Properly
If you're listening to a low-quality rip on a smartphone speaker, you're doing it wrong. This is a song that needs air. It needs a sound system that can handle the low-end frequencies of the bass and the high-end shimmer of the cymbals.
- Find the original 12-inch version (the "Classic" mix).
- Turn it up until you can feel the kick drum in your chest.
- Listen for the interplay between the rhythm guitar and the keyboards—it’s subtle but brilliant.
Honestly, the best way to appreciate it is to look for live footage of Belita Woods. Even in her later years, her stage presence was undeniable. She commanded the room. That same energy is captured on the wax of the 1977 recording. It’s lightning in a bottle.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers and DJs:
- For Producers: Study the "breakdown" section around the 4-minute mark of the extended mix. It is a masterclass in how to use subtractive synthesis and percussion to build tension without using electronic risers or "drops."
- For Collectors: Look for the Tabu Records pressings. The mastering on these original 70s vinyl releases has a dynamic range that modern digital remasters often crush through over-compression.
- For Curators: If you're building a "History of Dance" playlist, place this track between a Philadelphia Soul record (like The O'Jays) and an early Chicago House track. It acts as the perfect sonic bridge.
- For Vocalists: Analyze Belita Woods' breath control. Staying on pitch and maintaining that level of power at such a high tempo is a feat of vocal athleticism. It’s a great case study for soul and R&B singers.
The brilliance of Brainstorm's biggest hit lies in its refusal to slow down. It’s a high-speed chase captured on vinyl. Whether you're a crate-digger looking for the perfect sample or just someone who wants to understand why your parents were so obsessed with the disco era, this song provides all the answers. It’s fast, it’s funky, and it’s undeniably Detroit.