For this show’s adventure…Well, it is about Roger Troutman…

And it’s about the band named Zapp and their founder, Roger Troutman…who, according to Wikipedia, “helped spearhead the funk movement and influenced West Coast hip-hop due to the scene’s heavy sampling of his music.” It’s believed that Roger and Zapp are the second most sampled music by hip-hop…next to, of course, James Brown. 

Troutman was busy being both band leader of Zapp and Producer of his own solo releases where he scored a bevy of funk and R&B hits throughout the 80s, as well as regularly collaborating with hip hop artists in the 90s.

Born in Hamilton OH, Troutman was fourth of nine children. Four of the brothers, Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry formed several bands over the years: Little Roger & the Veils and Roger & the Human Body. 

Forever experimenting with sound and technology, Roger & the Human Body adopted Terry Troutman’s nickname, Zapp, for their own in 1977, around the same time that Roger mastered the vocoder. This was to become the signature sound for the band, putting them at the forefront of the still-infant techno-funk movement. 

Finally “discovered” (air quotes) by Bootsy’s brother Phelps Collins in one of the clubs around Dayton, Troutman and Zapp were invited to Detroit to record their debut album Zapp.

The rest, as they say, is history. Enjoy the show!

This album also contains their big hit More Bounce To The Ounce…Which is the tune that basically put Zapp and Roger Troutman on the map….along with the tune Freedom.

***     Tune List and Notes     ***

Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag , Roger Troutman , Unlimited , 1987.

Bearings Straight , Roger and the Human Body, Truth Be Told; a cut from the Roger and the Human Body’s debut album Truth Be Told released in 1976

Funky Bounce , Zapp , Zapp 1, 1980; their debut album, where I learned a new expression… “Watch it baby, ‘cause you’re funkin’ out of bounds”…. This album also contains their big hit More Bounce To The Ounce, which is the tune that basically put Zapp and Roger Troutman on the map….along with the tune Freedom.

Doo Wah Ditty , Zapp , Zapp 2 , 1982

I Can Make You Dance , Zapp , Zapp 3 , 1983

Radio People , Zapp , Zapp 4 , 1984

Fire , Zapp , Zapp 5 , 1989

In The Mix , Roger Troutman , The Saga Continues , 1984

Boom! There She Was , Scritti Politti, 1988

California Love , 2Pac , Greatest Hits , 1996