The Compilation

Product Description:

Personnel: Roger Troutman (vocals, various instruments); Ronnie Diamond Hoard, Shirley Murdock, L. "Sugarfoot" Bonner, Nicole Cottom, Ray Davis, H-Town (vocals); Dale DeGroat (rap vocals, keyboards, programming); Robert "Bigg Robb" Smith (rap vocals); Riccardo Bray (guitar); Jerome Derrickson, Eddie Barber, Michael Warren, Larry Hatcher (horns); Billy Beck (keyboards, background vocals); Bart Thomas (bass); Lester Troutman (drums, programming, percussion); The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Eric Prater, Greg Jackson, Bobby Glover, Jannetta Boyce (background vocals).

Producers include: Roger Troutman, Dale DeGroat, Zapp Troutman.

Engineers include: Roger Troutman, Dale DeGroat, Zapp Troutman.

This excellent 13-track, 53-minute compilation from Zapp and Roger begins by highlighting the interpretive powers of underrated funk musician Roger Troutman, kicking off with impressive covers of soul and funk classics like "Living for the City," "Chocolate City," and "Thin Line Between Love and Hate." THE COMPILATION: GREATEST HITS II continues in this vein, with Troutman--who was murdered in 1999 by his brother Larry, also a member of Zapp--essaying Lionel Richie's "Easy" and Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour," along with originals like the slinky "Girl, Cut it Out" and the lovely "Please Come Home for Christmas." Most importantly, this compilation collects the comparatively rare seven-inch single mixes, which sound tighter and hotter than the more fleshed-out album versions.