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Hamilton, Ohio born, Dayton, Ohio adopted, Roger Troutman, released his second solo album, 1985's "The Saga Continues", on the Warner Brothers Records imprint. This album contains Roger's ZAPP influenced sound on the cover of Wilson Pickett's 1965 hit, "In The Midnight Hour", and it features Gospel Legends, "The Mighty Clouds Of Joy". It reached #34 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart. Other singles from this impressive sophomore release include, "In The Mix", and, "Girl, Cut It Out".
The talented cast of musicians on "Saga" are pretty much the same as the previous Roger Troutman produced album I reviewed, the Shirley Murdock self titled debut, .... give or take one or two musicians and/or vocalists. So let's delve into an album that I felt, should've have gone at least Gold, the same way Roger's solo debut, the superior, "The Many Facets Of Roger" has. .... and I'm going to go out on a limb and say, musically, "The Saga Continues", is a notch or two above the "Facets" records.
Now wait a minute ! Hold on ! Hold on ! Before you get ready to send me hate mail or boycott my blog, hear me out, please Funk Fans !! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the "Facets" album ! I LOVE the "Unlimited" album ! and I LOVE the "Bridging The Gap" album ! They're ALL strong records, make no mistake about that ! .... BUT ! To me, and this is just my opinion Funk Fans, Roger took his songwriting to the, what is going to sound cliche now in 2011, .... NEXT LEVEL !
The arrangements on "Saga" are more structured and melody based, not so much like the groove ladened "Facets". .......... Hey ! Hey ! I heard that ! .... I heard that !! ...... and NO! I don't need my ears cleaned out THANK YOU VERY MUCH !! ......... LOL ! ......... Let's get into some of the highlights of this, ONCE AGAIN, under promoted and under apppreciated Roger album, cool !? ..... Cool ! :-)
"In The Mix" ~ {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman}
On this up tempo, funky, and very techno laced track, in that I believed Roger used the Roland vocorder for the first time in a recording, as opposed to the talkbox, in a verse, Roger pays homage to the rich history of the African-American diaspora by giving verbal props to the Motown Sound and it's founder, Berry Gordy.
Other shouts went out to Don Cornelius and his formerly owned Soul Train franchise. Even "Mr. Dynamite" himself, and a HUGE influence on Roger himself, Mr. James Brown, received his just due from Mr. Troutman.
But it doesn't stop there, Rog pays homage to the urban dwellings Soul/Funk/Jazz/Blues/ and Rock music was, and still, being made. Those centers areHouston , TX , Detroit , Cincinnati , his birthplace of Hamilton , and Dayton , Ohio
The always present and reliable bass synthesizer is in full effect. In the choruses, and sprinkled throughout, you'll hear elements of ZAPP'S 1982 smash hit, "Dance Floor". Of course, Roger's chicken scratched rhythm guitar are definitely "in the mix", in addition to a searing fuzzed toned rock n' rolled styled lead guitar solo.
"Play Your Guitar, Brother Roger" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman}
Here's another up tempo'd, happy go lucky, funky bass bounced selection that'll more than likely, have those hands put together. This time, human handclaps were summoned, as opposed the sterile and unreal sounding drum machine handclaps. .... at least that's what it sounds like to me. The Fender Rhodes piano chugs along with James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" chords thrown in for good measure.
The bass synth just wraps it's fills, runs, and all around funky goodness, around your funkentelechy, you'll just beg for more. Roger, of course, throwns down with a George Benson Ibanez GB10 Series styled guitar solo, but done "Dayton Style". To give it that Benson effect, he scats along with his guitar performed lines. The background vocal chants of, "Play Your Guitar, Brother Roger", will make one want to join in and request Roger do as such !
"I Keep Trying" - {Written and Arranged by ex-Ohio Players keyboardist, Billy Beck}
Immediately, nuances of The Doobie Brothers' classic, "What A Fool Believes" will conjure up in your mind within the first few bars. Though both songs are totally different, you'll nonetheless love this mid tempo feel good song. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the first time Roger sing in his natural voice, as opposed to the talkbox ...... and he's quite good if I may add !
I'm shocked he didn't sing more in his natural voice. But you certainly hear the Ohio Player influence all over this, what I thought should've been a single. If I were a Warner Bros. exec during that time, I would've persuaded Roger to release this song, instead of "Girl, Cut It Out" ... and that's possible why this album didn't go Gold, they chose the wrong singles.
Another standout musical element is Terry "Zapp" Troutman's full and bouncy electric bass guitar lines. They compliment his brother Lester Troutman's laid back, fluid, and 'in the pocket' drumming. The lead synthesizer, and it's accompanying keyboard fills all gel in perfect synch with the live horn arrangements. Maceo Parker contributes his trademarked alto sax solo in the bridge that adds that special touch to an exceptional song in the Roger & Zapp songbook .... and it's a quite a departure of sorts, but one you don't hearing over and over.
{{{{REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIPS BELOW OF THE DOOBIE BROS.' SONG, "WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES" AND "I KEEP TRYING", TO COMPARE THE TWO. TELL ME IF YOU HEAR THOSE 'SLIGHT NUANCES', OR 'CURLY CUES' AS DESCRIBED BY SHIRLEY MURDOCK IN TV ONE'S UNSUNG EPISODE OF "ZAPP AND ROGER".}}}}
"T.C. Song" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman} ...... {Hmmm, I wonder what the "T.C." stands for ?}
The jazzy/funky/chill/Stevie Wonder-esque side of Roger comes shining through on this brilliant song. Mainly an instrumental with vocal adlibs throughout the song, will work on ANY 'Quiet Storm' radio format, easily ! {Terrestrial and Internet radio programmers out there reading this, take note !} In this 'sleeper cut' in every sense of the word, you'll hear Brazilian undertones, with a slight bossa nova groove feel, if you listen carefully.
But what will grab you are the harmonic vocal scats and adlibs, of whom sound like, Billy Beck with his distinctive high falsetto vocal phrasings. Speaking of which .......
***** AN OPEN MESSAGE TO ANY OHIOIANS OUT THERE THAT KNOW BILLY BECK PERSONALLY. COULD YOU PLEASE ASK HIM WHY HE HASN'T RECORDED A SOLO ALBUM, AND GET BACK TO ME PLEASE ? THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! *****
The twin guitar performance, and it's fills, is what make this track a guitar player's paradise, in that it's individual parts are intricately and beautifully executed by Roger. The jazzyesque live drum performance of Lester, along with the solid and Terry's funky bass guitar performed lines, make this song one of the many "go to" songs on this incredible record !
"Girl, Cut It Out" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman} ~ {Featuring Wanda Rash on one version, and the one reviewed here ....... and a single edit version Shirley Murdock is featured on. In addition, you'll find the long 12" version beneath that one.}
{{{{ PLEASE REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIPS, AND URL TO HEAR THE VARIOUS VERSIONS .... AND PLEASE REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIP OF ROGER'S ALBUM VERSION FEATURING WANDA RASH, AND THE SYSTEM'S YOU TUBE VIDEO, "YOU ARE IN MY SYSTEM" TO DO AN A/B COMPARISON }}}}
Right off the bat, you'll hear the bass synth line of Mic Murphy & David Frank's, 1982 hit, "You're In My System". Mic and David, as you may or may not know, are collectively known as the ground breaking techno/funk duo, The System. Their song was used as the basis for "Girl, Cut It Out", and that's not to say Roger's song is bad, it's actually quite good, I like it a lot. It was just done, once again, 'Dayton Styley'.
A hard and heavy hit snare drum, a kickin' bass drum, and Chaka Khaniastic lead and background vocals, set this track off to get the party started right. What sound like Maceo Parker on the alto sax, throw down on a solo as only he could deliver .... time after time after time again, Maceo blessing this track is just what it needed.
I think this may have been the second song, at least here on this record, that Roger performed his lead vocal talk boxless, and yet once again, he comes shining through. This jam an funktastic finish, to a very funky, and slamming album. This is one CD or download to add to your list. ***** Refer to the links below to preview snippets and/or to purchase****
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes"
The talented cast of musicians on "Saga" are pretty much the same as the previous Roger Troutman produced album I reviewed, the Shirley Murdock self titled debut, .... give or take one or two musicians and/or vocalists. So let's delve into an album that I felt, should've have gone at least Gold, the same way Roger's solo debut, the superior, "The Many Facets Of Roger" has. .... and I'm going to go out on a limb and say, musically, "The Saga Continues", is a notch or two above the "Facets" records.
Now wait a minute ! Hold on ! Hold on ! Before you get ready to send me hate mail or boycott my blog, hear me out, please Funk Fans !! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the "Facets" album ! I LOVE the "Unlimited" album ! and I LOVE the "Bridging The Gap" album ! They're ALL strong records, make no mistake about that ! .... BUT ! To me, and this is just my opinion Funk Fans, Roger took his songwriting to the, what is going to sound cliche now in 2011, .... NEXT LEVEL !
The arrangements on "Saga" are more structured and melody based, not so much like the groove ladened "Facets". .......... Hey ! Hey ! I heard that ! .... I heard that !! ...... and NO! I don't need my ears cleaned out THANK YOU VERY MUCH !! ......... LOL ! ......... Let's get into some of the highlights of this, ONCE AGAIN, under promoted and under apppreciated Roger album, cool !? ..... Cool ! :-)
"In The Mix" ~ {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman}
On this up tempo, funky, and very techno laced track, in that I believed Roger used the Roland vocorder for the first time in a recording, as opposed to the talkbox, in a verse, Roger pays homage to the rich history of the African-American diaspora by giving verbal props to the Motown Sound and it's founder, Berry Gordy.
Other shouts went out to Don Cornelius and his formerly owned Soul Train franchise. Even "Mr. Dynamite" himself, and a HUGE influence on Roger himself, Mr. James Brown, received his just due from Mr. Troutman.
But it doesn't stop there, Rog pays homage to the urban dwellings Soul/Funk/Jazz/Blues/ and Rock music was, and still, being made. Those centers are
The always present and reliable bass synthesizer is in full effect. In the choruses, and sprinkled throughout, you'll hear elements of ZAPP'S 1982 smash hit, "Dance Floor". Of course, Roger's chicken scratched rhythm guitar are definitely "in the mix", in addition to a searing fuzzed toned rock n' rolled styled lead guitar solo.
"Play Your Guitar, Brother Roger" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman}
Here's another up tempo'd, happy go lucky, funky bass bounced selection that'll more than likely, have those hands put together. This time, human handclaps were summoned, as opposed the sterile and unreal sounding drum machine handclaps. .... at least that's what it sounds like to me. The Fender Rhodes piano chugs along with James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" chords thrown in for good measure.
The bass synth just wraps it's fills, runs, and all around funky goodness, around your funkentelechy, you'll just beg for more. Roger, of course, throwns down with a George Benson Ibanez GB10 Series styled guitar solo, but done "Dayton Style". To give it that Benson effect, he scats along with his guitar performed lines. The background vocal chants of, "Play Your Guitar, Brother Roger", will make one want to join in and request Roger do as such !
"I Keep Trying" - {Written and Arranged by ex-Ohio Players keyboardist, Billy Beck}
Immediately, nuances of The Doobie Brothers' classic, "What A Fool Believes" will conjure up in your mind within the first few bars. Though both songs are totally different, you'll nonetheless love this mid tempo feel good song. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the first time Roger sing in his natural voice, as opposed to the talkbox ...... and he's quite good if I may add !
I'm shocked he didn't sing more in his natural voice. But you certainly hear the Ohio Player influence all over this, what I thought should've been a single. If I were a Warner Bros. exec during that time, I would've persuaded Roger to release this song, instead of "Girl, Cut It Out" ... and that's possible why this album didn't go Gold, they chose the wrong singles.
Another standout musical element is Terry "Zapp" Troutman's full and bouncy electric bass guitar lines. They compliment his brother Lester Troutman's laid back, fluid, and 'in the pocket' drumming. The lead synthesizer, and it's accompanying keyboard fills all gel in perfect synch with the live horn arrangements. Maceo Parker contributes his trademarked alto sax solo in the bridge that adds that special touch to an exceptional song in the Roger & Zapp songbook .... and it's a quite a departure of sorts, but one you don't hearing over and over.
{{{{REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIPS BELOW OF THE DOOBIE BROS.' SONG, "WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES" AND "I KEEP TRYING", TO COMPARE THE TWO. TELL ME IF YOU HEAR THOSE 'SLIGHT NUANCES', OR 'CURLY CUES' AS DESCRIBED BY SHIRLEY MURDOCK IN TV ONE'S UNSUNG EPISODE OF "ZAPP AND ROGER".}}}}
"T.C. Song" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman} ...... {Hmmm, I wonder what the "T.C." stands for ?}
The jazzy/funky/chill/Stevie Wonder-esque side of Roger comes shining through on this brilliant song. Mainly an instrumental with vocal adlibs throughout the song, will work on ANY 'Quiet Storm' radio format, easily ! {Terrestrial and Internet radio programmers out there reading this, take note !} In this 'sleeper cut' in every sense of the word, you'll hear Brazilian undertones, with a slight bossa nova groove feel, if you listen carefully.
But what will grab you are the harmonic vocal scats and adlibs, of whom sound like, Billy Beck with his distinctive high falsetto vocal phrasings. Speaking of which .......
***** AN OPEN MESSAGE TO ANY OHIOIANS OUT THERE THAT KNOW BILLY BECK PERSONALLY. COULD YOU PLEASE ASK HIM WHY HE HASN'T RECORDED A SOLO ALBUM, AND GET BACK TO ME PLEASE ? THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! *****
The twin guitar performance, and it's fills, is what make this track a guitar player's paradise, in that it's individual parts are intricately and beautifully executed by Roger. The jazzyesque live drum performance of Lester, along with the solid and Terry's funky bass guitar performed lines, make this song one of the many "go to" songs on this incredible record !
"Girl, Cut It Out" - {Written by Roger & Larry Troutman} ~ {Featuring Wanda Rash on one version, and the one reviewed here ....... and a single edit version Shirley Murdock is featured on. In addition, you'll find the long 12" version beneath that one.}
{{{{ PLEASE REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIPS, AND URL TO HEAR THE VARIOUS VERSIONS .... AND PLEASE REFER TO THE YOU TUBE AUDIO CLIP OF ROGER'S ALBUM VERSION FEATURING WANDA RASH, AND THE SYSTEM'S YOU TUBE VIDEO, "YOU ARE IN MY SYSTEM" TO DO AN A/B COMPARISON }}}}
Right off the bat, you'll hear the bass synth line of Mic Murphy & David Frank's, 1982 hit, "You're In My System". Mic and David, as you may or may not know, are collectively known as the ground breaking techno/funk duo, The System. Their song was used as the basis for "Girl, Cut It Out", and that's not to say Roger's song is bad, it's actually quite good, I like it a lot. It was just done, once again, 'Dayton Styley'.
A hard and heavy hit snare drum, a kickin' bass drum, and Chaka Khaniastic lead and background vocals, set this track off to get the party started right. What sound like Maceo Parker on the alto sax, throw down on a solo as only he could deliver .... time after time after time again, Maceo blessing this track is just what it needed.
I think this may have been the second song, at least here on this record, that Roger performed his lead vocal talk boxless, and yet once again, he comes shining through. This jam an funktastic finish, to a very funky, and slamming album. This is one CD or download to add to your list. ***** Refer to the links below to preview snippets and/or to purchase****
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes"
Roger - "I Keep Trying"
Roger "Girl, Cut It Out" {Featuring Wanda Rash - The Album Version - Please click on the following link to be taken to Grooveshark website to hear in it's entirety. Click on the 2nd version of "Girl, Cut It Out", NOT the 'Extended Mix'. This version is where you can A/B this version, and The System's "You Are In My System"}
The System - "You Are In My System"
{1982 Mirage Records/Atlantic Records - Taken from the album "Sweat"}
Roger "Girl, Cut It Out" {Single Edit version featuring Shirley Murdock}
Roger "Girl, Cut It Out" {12" Long Extended version}
As an added bonus, I'm throwing in another album cut, Roger's "Play Your Guitar Brother Roger"
YOU CAN PURCHASE "THE SAGA CONTINUES" AT THE FOLLOWING DIGITAL E-TAILERS :
Amazon.Com {It'll cost you buying here} : www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_24?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=roger+the+saga+continues&sprefix=roger+the+saga+continues
iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/play-your-guitar-brother-roger/id296548780?i=296548783&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
eMusic: {You can downlaod the entire album for $4.52 ..... yeah, I know :-( ..... This album is worth more than 4 dollars and change :-( ....} : www.emusic.com/album/Roger-The-Saga-Continues-MP3-Download/11749428.html
Amazon.Com {It'll cost you buying here} : www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_24?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=roger+the+saga+continues&sprefix=roger+the+saga+continues
iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/play-your-guitar-brother-roger/id296548780?i=296548783&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
eMusic: {You can downlaod the entire album for $4.52 ..... yeah, I know :-( ..... This album is worth more than 4 dollars and change :-( ....} : www.emusic.com/album/Roger-The-Saga-Continues-MP3-Download/11749428.html
