Retrophonics: Self Titled
North Texas based funk and soul band, Retrophonics, released their inaugural EP this spring. The North Texas based trio’s self-titled EP lives up to its name. The five song EP feels like it would be best enjoyed in low light with martini in hand. The five tracks are torchy R&B that will satisfy any soul or jazz fan with it’s solid instrumentals and groovy melodies.
This is the sixth album for Retrophonics front man, Chris Watson – whose previous albums ranged from blues to Americana under previous projects. Watson is also popular with other musicians, having played keys or guitar with Josh Weathers, Luke Wade and Zac Wilkerson, among others. Watson said he never wanted to be making the same album repeatedly, which brought him to Retrophonics the last two years. His first album to not play guitar, Watson plays the keys and bass on the album. Watson produced and engineered the album in his home studio.
Playing with Watson is guitarist Camden Gonzales and drummer Luke Callaway. Gonzales is 19 and a graduate of the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Any concern about his age was tamped after playing with the band once. Watson praised his maturity and creativity as a musician. Watson said the number of musicians that he has truly connected with in his musical career are few and counts both Gonzales and Callaway among them. He said he trusts Callaway’s instincts and praised his work ethic. The result is a cohesive, musically sophisticated EP.
The first track is “Stay the Night,” a co-write with Johnny Cooper. The Stevie Wonder influence throughout the album is evident immediately on this opening track. The remainder of the songs were solo-writes by Watson, and he decidedly shows a more tender side of his writing than his previous albums. The steamy “Just for Tonight” is the strongest, vocally. “Tomorrow might be our damnation, but now let’s give in to temptation, just for tonight” tells the story of the song. “Cornbread” and “Lucky Penny” are the instrumental tracks on the EP. “Cornbread” features horns and the only track that isn’t played entirely by the trio. Watson said most of the album was recorded live with only occasional overdubs; for instance, when he played both piano and organ on a track. “Lucky Penny” was mostly composed in the studio and made it to the album.
Watson said he had a revelation that changed his approach to music. Rather than try to find what he thinks an audience may like, he “strives to satisfy his own creative integrity and accurately portrays that to who is listening.” That authenticity shines on these five tracks.
Stream their album here or you can find more about the Retrophonics below: