Today, over four decades later, we are still being hypnotized by the Zapp band sound on their newest album, Zapp VII Roger and Friends. (drums), Terry “Zapp” Troutman (talkbox, keyboards, bass), Bart Thomas (talkbox, vocals, keyboards, bass), Dale DeGroat (musical direction, keyboards, vocals), Thomas Troutman (keyboards, vocals), Riccardo Bray (guitar) and Anthony Arrington (sax). Roger said, “Every time I would use the voice box, people would be dancing, until I use it and people would look up, and it seemed to hypnotizing them in a way.” This funk all-star group consisted of Lester Troutman, Sr. The late funkateer Roger Troutmen, lead vocalist of Zapp & Roger, used a custom-made talk box-the Electro Harmonix “Golden Throat,” as well as a Moog “Minimoog” and, later in his career, a Yamaha DX100 FM synthesizer. The Zapp sound was iconic for the use of moog bass and synthesizers that provided multiple timbres, textures, patterns and hits deep bass drum and hard hitting claps with just enough reverb to shake a stadium and keep the party going and the unforgettable and legendary use of the talk box. Zapp & Roger, an important funk band that emerged from Dayton, Ohio in 1977, brought the world hits like “More Bounce to the Ounce,” “Computer Love,” “Do Wa Ditty,” “So Ruff So Tuff” and a couple decades more of electrifying funk.

Roger and zapp band