Track Listing: In The Mix {Larry Troutman, Roger Troutman} 6:22 Play Your Guitar, Brother Roger {L Troutman, R Troutman} 4:27 The Break Song {L Troutman, R Troutman} 5:50 I Keep Trying {Billy Beck, L Troutman, R Troutman} 3:50 Midnight Hour (feat. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy) {Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper} 6:58 Bucket Of Blood {L Troutman, R Troutman} 4:14 TC Song {L Troutman, R Troutman} 4:31 Girl, Cut It Out (Feat. Wanda Rash) {L Troutman, R Troutman} 4:16 Personnel: Producer: Roger Troutman Co-producers: Billy Beck, Greg Jackson, Lester Troutman, Zapp Troutman, Sherman Fleetwood Lead Vocals: Roger Troutman Background Vocals: Roger Troutman, Jannetta Boyce, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Mallia Franklin, Bobby Glover, Billy Beck, Larry Hatcher, Greg Jackson, Michael Jennings, Zapp Troutman, Bart Thomas, Mark Thomas, Varges Thomas, Tim Abrams, Ray Davis, Wanda Rash, Shirley Murdock, Shelley Smith Talk Box: Roger Troutman Bass: Zapp Troutman Conga Drums, Percussion: Larry Troutman, Robert Jones, Lester Troutman Drums: Lester Troutman Keyboards: Billy Beck, Greg Jackson, Zapp Troutman, Roger Troutman, Sherman Fleetwood Keyboard Solo: Billy Beck Horns: Michael Warren, Jerome Derrickson, Michael Jennings, Carl Cowen, Larry Hatcher Horn Solo: Maceo Parker, Carl Cowen Lead And Rhythm Guitar: Roger Troutman Guitar: Ricardo Bray Vibes: Zapp Troutman, Billy Beck "In The Mix" Producers: Roger Troutman, Billy Beck, Greg Jackson, Lester Troutman, Zapp Troutman, Sherman Fleetwood Talkbox: Roger Troutman Background Vocals: Roger Troutman, Greg Jackson, Bobby Glover, Janetta Boyce, Sherman Fleetwood, Ray Davis, Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner Guitar, Bass: Roger Troutman Keyboards: Roger Troutman, Billy Beck Drums: Lester Troutman Percussion: Larry Troutman, Roger Troutman Rating: RC: ***Comments:
RC: The second Roger album is less consistent than the first, partially because Roger goes off in a few more different directions. Not all of them worked, or held up over the years. But a lot of the same elements are here: a warped and inventive cover of an R&B classic; playing around with electric blues; straight-up dance songs and good singing. While the rest of P.Funk was struggling to survive, Roger thrived, playing songs that were different than most mainstream R&B songs, but were still accessible enough to the public to get airplay. While Roger took a few specific formulas and basically milked them to death, the basic ideas were all sound and went a long way.
"In The Mix" sounds very processed and programmed, but it's still mighty funky, with a cool talkbox scat. "Play Your Guitar..." has great singing and grooving, melodic guitar playing. "The Break Song" is a silly, anachronistic song about the breakdancing craze. "I Keep Trying" is a sappy, unremarkable ballad. "Midnight Hour" is another inspired cover, truly oustanding and clever. The talkbox vocals again stand out, and the whole feel of the song is electric. "Bucket Of Blood" is a hilarious electric blues tribute about a tiny little club and the blues that's played there. Roger does his Elmore James impersonation here! "TC Song" has more great scatting and more ultra-clean guitar. "Girl, Cut It Out" is another tune that features good singing.
This album is out of print, but shouldn't be that hard to find. It's also available as an import from Japan. I probably wouldn't pay more than $15 for the album, and $30 for the CD.