| ZAPP –
VI (Back by Popular Demand) Zapp Town Records 2003 by funkygirl |
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for more informations : sounds : linked review :
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Lastly
! ! I’m very pleased to see the name of this mythical group
on our site !!! ;o) So let’s talk about it !!! First thing : the CD booklet which is complete even if the site is not so attracting : you’ll find 5 color pages with a blue background and picture on stage or in studios, some detailed credits of each musician taking part in a song as well as the lyrics … Even if nowadays they’re autoproducing their LP, its quality is almost superior to what you usually get… Now let’s put the cd on the deck and listen… Of course, you get nostalgic with this new disk… as any Funkateer will think about Roger through the evocation of ZAPP’s name !!! For sure, we’ll miss him forever as he stood out so deeply our music by creating an original style… Be delighted !!! In spite of his tragic death, Roger’s spirit is still alive in this LP : the unique alchemy of their sound, the traditional Talk box and careful compositions (12 new songs on 52 mn) are testimonials. The Zapp family tradition are now Terry (Talk box, Keyboard) and Lester (Drum, Keyboard, Guitar, Bass). As unmissable Master of Ceremony, Bigg Robb’s hosting us by the usual « Intro »… He’s announcing with his usual contagious conviction the new band opus and dedicates it to the Roger’s memory… I cannot describe « You’ve Got Mail »
differently than a continuation of « Computer Love »,
one of their carreer hits… But Zapp wouldn’t be Zapp without some dancefloor titles ;o) So let’s go : « She’s ‘Bout to Roll » is built up around the Talk box, with a loud Bass sound and some light Keyboards effects like we enjoy it… Add some soft rap parts to the end of the song and you’ll get the first real dancing title of this Cd. Here we are now to the discovering part of the album : Nicole
Cottom has seduced me in 2 songs !!! I like her voice and
the way she sings ; No explanation to that : that’s the way
it is ! You know how to recognize talent or not !!! LOL Tightly linked to the Zapp family, Shirley Murdock is
participating to « This is Our Song to You »,
a nice tribute to Roger. She’s starting stating « Roger
we miss you… ». I can’t help myself : this
song moves me ! ! ! I found it moving and irresistible, very introspective
in a way : it’s mid tempo once again in the tradition of the
best slows of this band but here, you can ask yourself if Roger
wouldn’t haunt his brothers so much he would inspire them
the best possible way… Just to contradict me right away ;o), Zapp is delivering a song
with audacious sound through « Late Night Fantasy
» : it’s clearly inspired by modern R’n’B
but what I like in the way they do it (that some criticized recently)
is you feel on a familiar ground with them, you know what to expect…I
found it cool to buy an LP and get what I paid for. ;o) « I finally Found what I’ve been Searching for » is the only title the Troutman brothers didn’t write. Shirley Murdock and Dale De Groat are the authors as well as the main singers (except the Talk box of course). As the album, it’s cool with a high and emotional force…« Shoubidowap, Shoudowop, I want to love you… » that should remind you of something... So my conclusion is : congratulations ! ! ! The family receipe and savoir faire are placed into the right persons. There’s not a lot of Funky bombs (Bigg Robb has more supplies of this, which is indeed an excellent complement) but I wasn’t tempted to miss out any title. And I’m convinced we should overgo our first impression as the pieces of evidence showed, that massive dose of Soul, of good feelings and of spirituality in this album, almost unexpected, could finally be the outlet that was imposed to them to keep the faith, stay positive and give the best tribute they could ever make to their brother. Really, Roger will never die ! ! ! He’s too present in our minds and in our heart. Funkygirl’s
Words (march2003)
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www.zapptown.com
