For their New Horizons 1983 Columbia Records debut album, "Something New", Roger took these 'funky band of brothers', and crafted a well produced record full of funk/R&B and Smooth Soul, as one would expect from the funkmeister himself. Roger had some legendary help in the co-production of this album as well. He employed the services of ex-Ohio Players keyboardist Billy Beck, and had brother Terry "Zapp" Troutman help out on two songs. {As you can clearly see, the group ZAPP was named after Terry's childhood nickname}
The music was performed by members of the ZAPP alumi, and they are, of course, Roger Troutman on lead and rhythm guitars, Zapp Troutman on bass guitar, another brother Lester Troutman with Robert Jones on Conga Drums, and Lester again on the live Drum Kit. Yet another Troutman brother, the late Larry Troutman, whom co-wrote all the songs along with Roger, is featured on percussions. Keyboard duties were handled by Varges Thomas, Billy Beck, Gregory Jackson, and P Funk's legendary Bernie "Woo" Worrell.
Horns come blaring through courtesy of ZAPP's own horn section, consisting of Jerome Derrickson, Eddie Barber, Michael Warren, and Carl Cowen. James Brown and P Funk legendary alto saxophonist, Maceo Parker, lends his funky chops to this sizzling album as well.
The background vocals are provided by the Thomas Brothers, Timothy Abrams, Zapp Troutman, Gregory Jackson, Billy Beck, Jannetta Boyce, "Bad" Bobby Glover, and last, but certainly not least, the late great P Funk/ZAPP bass vocalist, Ray "Stingray" Davis {Stingray's famously known for his bass vocal intro in Parliament's 1975 smash, "Tear The Roof Off The Sucker". In addition, Stingray replaced the late Melvin Franklin in The Temptations after his untimely passing in February 1995 ..... R.I.P. to both Mr. Raymond "Stingray" Davis and Mr. David Melvin Franklin, simply known to the world as "Melvin Franklin"}
Let's check out an album that kept the classic ZAPP sound in full force, and one that was criminally overlooked.
"Your Thing Is Your Thing" - This funky and uptempo number opener carries all the traits of that classic
"I Can't Tell You" - The brothers takes the groove down real slow rather abruptly, particularly after a funk throwdown like "Your Thing Is Your Thing" .... but I'm not complaining ! It's a great song ! They took the elements of a slow Delphonics Philly Soul classic, mixed in with the mellow smoothness of a Marvin Gaye Motown tune, adding nuances of a Gap Band ballad, sprinkling the "feel" of an Ohio Players' song, "Heaven Must Be Like This", to be exact, and that's what you'll get in this song. The performance that stands out the most, to me at least, are the background vocal harmonies and the way they're executed. Picture a late Saturday night in Dayton, Ohio, 1972, and on the corner under a streetlight, you have the Thomas Brothers with full Jackson 5 Afros, standing under this light crooning beautiful 4 part harmonies, that's what I get when I hear this song. You'll just have to buy the CD to know what I'm talking about. This song will take you back to a time when a ballad was done the way it is SUPPOSE TO !
"Something New" - OK ! Here we go with "The Return of the Funk !" .... and it's in full throttle here ladies and gentlemen !! You could IMMEDIATELY tell from Lester's snare and kick drum's "One Two, One Two, One Two, One Two, One Two, One Two" count off, that something's 'bout to hit the fan !! ... Yes, you got it right, THE FUNK FAN !! The upper mid rangy bass synthesizer performed parts will get those heads bobbing upon initial impact, and those catchy rhythm guitar scratches supplements the overall "feel" of this body mover. Larry's percussion work is nothing short of spectacular, as is the synthesizer solo that's heard here. But what really stands out on this track are the Gospel choir like background vocals as they are "smack dab in your face" in which you cannot run away from, and nor would you want to either. The lead vocal performance is ever so soulful and "in the pocket" ! In addition, you cannot escape Zapp Troutman's funky bass guitar runs and plucks, as they too, are what a funk bass guitar performance should sound like !
"County Line" - This mid tempo'd funky bouncer falls in line with the first track "Your Thing Is Your Thing", but with a Sly Stone feel to it, particularly the lead vocal as it's singing style is in the vein of Sylvester Stewart's aka Sly. The standout element here is the Parliament "Flash Light" styled synthesizer bass performance as it just gives, and gives, and gives ! Those hands are still being put together to give this song it's undertoned Bluesy feel. Surprisingly, the synthesizer is utilized to replicate what the live horns should've done. I found that interesting, but nonetheless it worked.
This particular album has been reissued for CD that include New Horizons 1984 sophomore Columbia Records release, "Gonna Have Big Fun". {An album I will be reviewing shortly} A '2 albums on one CD' if you will. You can preview, not only tracks from "Something New", but tracks from the sophomore release, "Gonna Have Big Fun", as well at 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. I highly recommed you pick this CD up if you're a longtime ZAPP & Roger fan, and even if you're not, visit the page and check it out. You may find yourself purchasing the disc afterall.
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
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