New Zapp & Roger ‘Now Playing’ Compilation + Ruby Red Vinyl

A new Zapp & Roger compilation album is coming, “Now Playing” will be released January 26th, 2024 via Rhino/Warner Records.

The brand new compilation includes the band’s essential tracks and will also be available to purchase in a Ruby Red Vinyl.

Formed in Dayton, Ohio in 1978, R&B/funk outfit Zapp was inspired by hometown heroes the Ohio Players and scored a string of hits marked by their prominent use of the vocoder with their fat electric grooves.

Comprised of the Troutman brothers and George Clinton protégé Roger on vocals and guitar, Larry (percussion), Lester (drums) and Tony (bass). Zapp’s self-titled 1980 debut album was produced by P-Funk legend Bootsy Collins.

The debut gold Zapp album reached #1 on the R&B Billboard charts, it soared to #19 on the pop chart and delivered the #2 hit “More Bounce To The Ounce.”

A series of seriously funky albums followed. Zapp has released various hits including; the #1 smash “Dance Floor,” and the Top 10 classics “Computer Love” & “I Can Make You Dance.”

UB spoke to Zapp vocalist Shirley Murdock in 2019 for Black Music Month, and asked her then how “Computer Love” came about? “I was a signed artist to Elektra when Computer Love came about. We were making my record and I traveled with Roger and he gave me the opportunity to come out and travel with him doing background. Which was great for a young artist ready to come out and debut.” Shirley went on to say; “We had came back to the studio after traveling and I had heard the track and hook. I wrote the verses when we were in a rehearsal hall, I was going back and forth about what the lyrics should be. That opened the door for more writing. To know that we wrote a song so long ago that is still relevant till this day. Not knowing that people would be meeting people and finding love on websites and the way they are now with social media. He was really ahead of his time, so that’s mind blowing. To also know other artist such as Dr. Dre and Tupac sampled the song. So it has proceeded to have life, it’s like Computer Love was our baby then Computer Love had grand-babies. We got grand kids with Computer Love (laughs).”

All of those singles are featured on the new Rhino “Now Playing” compilation.

Tracklist for Zapp & Roger’s “Now Playing”
More Bounce to the Ounce
Be Alright
I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Part 1 (Single Version) – Roger
Dance Floor (Part I) [Single Version]
Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)
I Can Make You Dance
Heartbreaker (Part I, Part II)
So Ruff, so Tuff
Computer Love
Slow and Easy