Mark, Bart, Varges, and Art Thomas, with Tim Abrams rounding out this extremely talented quintet.
This project was solely produced by the late, and terribly missed, Roger Troutman.
New Horizons showed tremendous growth on this album as the band members themselves took on a more active role from a musicians perspective. The supporting cast of musicians and singers, are as follows. All lead vocals were handled by Mark and Bart Thomas. Background vocals were performed by ALL the band members themselves. On bass guitar duties, you have Bart and Varges Thomas, Sherman Fleetwood, in addition to Roger and Terry "Zapp" Troutman.
On Conga Drums throwing down you got Mark Thomas and Lester Troutman. On the keyboards tinkling away, you got Varges and Bart Thomas, ZAPP members Gregory Jackson and Dale DeGroat. Contributing to the 88 keys/synthezoids, you have, of course, ex-Ohio Players member Billy Beck, and Roger Troutman. Strumming and finger picking away on lead and rhythm electric geetars {That was an INTENTIONAL spelling of 'guitars'}, you got Tim Abrams, Bart Thomas, Roger Troutman, and another ex-Ohio Player legend during that band's heyday, Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner. Once again, as with the "Something New" album, ZAPP's own horn section, consisting of Jerome Derrickson, Eddie Barber, Michael Warren, and Carl Cowen are back on board.
Let's take a closer look at some of the highlights of this 'funky good time' album !
"Big Fun" - {Written by Ohio Players drummer James "Diamond" Williams, Ohio Players guitarist Chet Willis, with Roger and Larry Troutman} - {{SEE ACCOMPANYING YOU TUBE AUDIO ONLY TRACK BELOW}}
This album title track may conjure up thoughts of the 1982 Prince hit song, "1999", in that it's an upbeat and danceable little ditty. The bass geetar chugs nicely alongside the downbeat of the kick drum like a hand in glove. The synthesizer "Prince 1999" like horn stabs in the intro and synthesizer fills blends well with the overall rhythm section. The live horns gives "Big Fun" "the bite" it needs to have the lead and backround vocals do it's thing. A fuzzed rock 'n roll guitar solo is effortlessly played and felt, you'll break out the air guitar in a heartbeat.
"Love To Spend The Night" - {Written by Mark Thomas and Art Thomas}
This "Late 70's Classic Soul Balladesque" song has Quiet Storm radio airplay written all over it ! A soft and mellow bass guitar line, gentle rhythm guitar pickings, a steady, but not forced drum performance, and Fender Rhodes chords playing nicely in the not-too-distant background. The background vocal harmonies are tight and on pitch. I'm pretty sure Billy Beck had something to do with the background vocal arrangements, as they're very reminiscent to ones the Ohio Players used.
"Get Ready, Let's Party" - {Written by Roger and Larry Troutman}
Can we get back to Funk please ?! ... No problem ! :-) ... This track should do the trick ;-) The overall "feel" of this song may remind one of the same "feel" used on recordings from another Dayton originated band, "SLAVE". The electric piano minor chords sounds very close to the ones used in Slave's 1977 funk standar, "Slide". Throw in a killer Oberheim OB8 synthesizer solo, funky bass geetar slaps, a hard driving drum performance, a funkdafied lead vocal, and Ohio Playeresqe harmonized background vocals, and you've got a beast of a track on your hands.
"No One Ever Will" - {Written by Billy Beck and Larry Troutman}
Let's get back into the "Love Zone" with this sweet and tender ballad beautifully arranged and sung. The standout instrument you'll hear is the warm chords of the electric piano, as they will wrap it's melodic grip around your heart. The silky smoothness of the bassline, coupled with an emotive and stirring lead vocal performance, it'll be sure to set the intimate mood right. A short, but nice sax solo by Carl Cowen is added to the mix to give this track it's "wine by candlelight" appeal. Five years later, Roger's son, the late Roger Troutman, Jr., covered this song for his 1989 Capitol Records debut, "A Pinch Of Lynch". {{SEE ACCOMPANYING YOU TUBE AUDIO TRACK'S BELOW TO COMPARE THE TWO VERSIONS}}
"U Can Do {Watcha Wanna} - {Written by Bart and Varges Thomas}
Here we go again with the funky bounce ! The bass synth is back !... and with a vengeance at that ! The 'tried and true', and always reliable chicken scratched rhythm guitar performanec is more than in effect here ladies and gentlemen, too tight ! .... and how can one call a funk song without the slap bass geetar ?! Well, do not fret, it's in overdrive on this hot track ! The synthesizer fills and effects emanates a "Dazz Band Let It Whip", how should I say this, "Appeal" .... get it ?! ;-) An 8 bar synthesizer solo is thrown in the mix for good measure, and rightly so, this track is all that ! Of course, the lead and background vocal performances are nothing short of brilliant !
This particular album has been reissued for CD that include New Horizons 1983 debut Columbia Records release, "Something New". A '2 albums on one CD' if you will. You can preview, not only tracks from "Gonna Have Big Fun", but tracks from the debut release, "Something New" as well, at the Funky Town Grooves website. Below you'll find the link that'll take you directly to the page where you can preview all 14 tracks, and to purchase.
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
"Gonna Have Big Fun"
New Horizon's version, and the original, of "No One Ever Will"
Now, here's Roger's son, Roger, Jr. with his version of "No One Ever Will"
1 comment:
thanks for all your criticism, I personally enriched more in this world of music, which I consider myself a follower and to learn from every day more and more. Thanks Ran ... a greeting from a friend.
Post a Comment