Roger | Bridging The Gap
Roger | Bridging The Gap
The brilliance of ZAPP frontman, the late Roger Troutman clearly was displayed on what is the fourth and final, proper, Roger album. Released on the Reprise Records label in 1991, "Bridging The Gap", fused a lot of different styles, Hip Hop, Blues, of course Funk, and late night ballads. This ten song 'work of art' showcased the songwriting, production, and musical talent of Roger. Let's take another look at this very underrated album at the time of it's release, and get ZAPPed just one more time.
Opening song,the Hip Hop fused, and first single, "(Everybody) Get Up", was co-produced by Roger and Brit Pop/Funk band 'Scritti Polliti', keyboardist,the talented David Gamson (The first of four tracks they co-produced together). But the album was largely produced by Roger. This head bopping opus features turntable scratching embracing his love for the artform, particularly due to the Hip Hoppers sampling his work, i.e.EMPD. Roger's effortlessly performs his electric guitar with funky strums with ease,as well as his trademark and ever present Talk Box, as he Funk &Roll's us into a dance frenzy. Longtime vocalist, the mega talented Shirley Murdock-DeGroat provides background vocals.
"Take Me Back", he slows the pace just a bit.In a smooth and jazzy mode, this song is taylor made for Urban Quiet Storm radio formats. Lyrics consists of, once again, a man pleading for his woman to take him back after he left her.
"Curiosity", takes it back to the Funk !Mainly programmed, with bass synths overdubs, Roger's funky strummed guitar and Talk Box hold center stage. A lot of the background vocalists consists of members of his ZAPP band, his brother Zapp, Nicole Cottom, Dale and Shirley Murdock-DeGroat, Sherman Fleetwood.
"You Should Be Mine", is another one that HAS to be played loud. It features Clavinet hits, the guitar plucks and strums, hard hitting bass synth, and expertly programmed drum patterns. Though you'll hear a Hip Hop element in the bridge, it works, just ask one Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith aka "EPMD". They used this song as the basis for their 1992 hit "Crossover"
"Emotions", is another Urban Quiet Storm radio track. It has a mellow and smooth groove with a heavier bass synth presense this time around. Roger lightly plucks his guitar surrounded by his trademark percussive and sound effects. He sings in his nature singing voice using the Talk Box for background vocal fills and vamps.
"Breakthrough", is yet ANOTHER funky and danceable track ! Largely programmed, rhythmically and drum wise, it goes well with the live percussion, Roger's omnipresent funky guitar licks and strums.
"Love Incorporated", is mid tempo'd, easy flowing and sweet song. Once again Roger sings in his natural voice with the female background vocals standing out than previously heard. Once again, light bass synths, programmed percussion,and Roger's brilliant fretwork on the guitar. Lyrics of love, once again, reigns supreme here.
"VictimOf Love", is definitely Funky to say the least ! This time the kick drum, though programmed, kicks you dead in the earlobes and hisTalk Box stands front and center, both lead and background parts. You can hear Roger's "So Ruff, So Tuff" guitar parts played in the background.
"Who-La-Bolla", we hear the smooth jazzy side of Roger. You'll hear what may be perceived for an upright acoustic bass (though it could be a synthesizer replicating it, but it works ....... Yet then again, it could be Roger actually playing the Upright acoustic bass. I keep forgetting how multi-dimensional he was). Other prominent instruments featured here are shaker bells, a solo from Roger's longtime saxophonist Carl Cowen, and a cool synthesizer solo. The overall track is bouncy and feel good,another standout song.
Closing track, "Hurry Up",is a straight up Blues track ! Roger always included a Blues influenced song on his albums, and this one is no exception. On this one, I hear live drums, live electric bass, and of course, the Blues guitar, done Chicago Blues style. Roger even performs a blues harmonica solo that'll give the Delta Blues players a run for their money. He even replicates a harmonica with his voice at times throughout the song.
This album should have sold more, should've been played at radio more, and should've certainly been promoted by the record company at the time even more. You can certainly hear the growth of Roger in his playing and in the sound of his records. I have to give an honorable mention to his engineers for their sharp ears to make this sonically sounding ear pleasing album, and they are : His brothers Lester and ZAPP Troutman, his nephew Rufus Troutman, III, Sherman Fleetwood, Dale Degroat, and Robert Smith .... and major props goes out to contributing engineers, Goh Hotoda, John "Tokes" Potoker, Ryan Dorn, Warren Woods and last, but certainly not least, co-producer, Mr. David Gamson. You all did an incredible job on an INCREDIBLE artist, Mr.Roger Lynch Troutman, Sr.
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 7/21/2010 8:26 AM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 90's Music Music Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 90's Music Music Videos
Hey Everyone,
I'd like to make a correction in this review. Shirley Murdock-DeGroat was NOT the female vocalist on the track "(Everybody) Get Up" The vocalist is longtime ZAPP background singer, Nicole Cottom, whom I thank for correcting me. Thank You Nicole !
Randy H.
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I have a West Coast rhythm section and a New York rhythm section. I've got them spread out all over the place.
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