"More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp

Song#:  0353
Date:  10/04/1980
Debut:  97
Peak:  86
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Funk



Pop Bits:  Cincinnati musicians/friends Roger Troutman and Bootsy Collins made a pact that whoever made it big first would turn around and lend a hand to the other. Collins found success with George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic outfit and remembering the agreement introduced Troutman to Clinton. They helped secure a deal at Warner for Troutman and his group Zapp, which included three of his brothers. This first single from their self-titled debut album became hugely influential with it's hand-clapped rhythm and use of the "talk box" effect. The song hit #2 on the R&B chart and was their only pop chart entry. Zapp's music has remained popular in many West Coast youth cultures with "Bounce" being cited as the most sampled song in Chicano and West Coast rap.

ReduxReview:  I like funk, but I don't care for it too much if the song is just a continuous groove with little in the way of a melody or hook. This is interesting because of the production and sound, but after a couple minutes of it, I'm pretty much over it. The tune just doesn't go anywhere interesting for me.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Zapp came to an unfortunate end in 1999 when group member Larry Troutman fatally shot his brother (and group leader) Roger and then shot himself. A reason or motive for the murder-suicide has never been found but speculation is that it may have had to do with a business dispute.

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