Bobby Glover
Bad Bobby Glover
1984

This album is one that satisfies on a multitude of levels. It’s a solid album for one, its upbeat and positive and produced by none other than Roger and Zapp Troutman, Billy Beck and Lester Troutman. Yes, its really a total Zapp effort so if you love the funky sounds of Zapp and Roger then this album will be an instant winner for you. Stylistically, though, this is not as programmed as much of Zapp’s output. The instrumentation is real, augmented with funky effects but no vocoder! The funky, clunky hand-clap beat so-loved by the group at the time is definitely strong throughout, but more akin to Troutman’s work with New Horizon at the time. Zapp have always singled out fantastic, strong vocalists – think Shirley Murdock or Ronald Hoard, and also Bobby Glover who was part of Zapp’s backing vocalists.

The mood is set from the starting pistol; “Your Spell” (this was a 12” release) will put a spring in your step, the jubilant funky keyboards, handclaps and punchy horns combined with the typically freaky keyboard effects will certainly rouse you from whatever slumber you are in. Bobby’s vocals are fantastic, and the tradition of the greatest male soul singers. He sings with passion, a roughness and has THAT catharsis-like holler that only the best of the best have. The lyrics, or at least some of them, arose again in Lynch’s excellent 1989 12” “Magic Spell” for capitol – again, produced by his father…Roger Troutman! “So Mean” is so funky it hurts, and you can tell that Zapp have had a hand in everything about it. This song kicks backside, but it is the gentler and summery “It’s My Turn” which did the business on the “rare groove” scene back in the late ‘80s. This song appeared, you may recall, on Three-Way Records excellent “Time Is Right” compilation in 1988. A favourite on radio, this is still a classy song.

The percussion-led “Happy” uses some great keys and its tropical rhythm almost verges on reggae…in the same way that Starvue’s “Body Fusion” did back in 1980. The joy of losing, then finding a better love is expertly described in “Bright Skies, Sunny Days” on which Shirley Murdock can be heard on backing duties. For ballads, check “I Love You” and “I Can’t Stand The Pain” which showcase how Bad Mr. Glover is vocally – he almost comes across like Teddy Pendergrass on here! I wish that we heard a lot more from Bobby Glover, and wish from the bottom of my heart that we could have more from the genius who was Roger Troutman. If you don’t own this album, track it down on Japanese CD or on vinyl. It’s a 'must have' by any standard.

Barry Towler