Zapp

Zapp came out of Dayton, Ohio in the late 1970s, led by brothers Roger and Larry Troutman. They built their sound around Roger's talk box and vocoder work, giving their funk a distinct electronic edge that stood out from the pack. Their 1980 debut album included 'Computer Love,' a track that became one of their most recognizable songs.

That first record also had 'More Bounce to the Ounce,' which became a funk staple. Over the next few years they released albums like 'Zapp II' and 'Zapped,' keeping their mix of synthesizers, tight rhythms, and processed vocals in play. Songs like 'Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)' and 'I Can Make You Dance' carried that signature bounce.

The group was largely a family affair, with multiple Troutman brothers involved alongside other Dayton musicians. Their sound ended up being sampled heavily in hip-hop, and tracks like 'Computer Love' found a second life in that world. Roger Troutman's talk-box vocals became one of the most imitated sounds in funk and R&B.