Southern retro soul band Bonneville debuts its highly anticipated second album, ‘Flying Machine,’ a collection of 9 original tracks, on Friday, July 4th, 2025. Bonneville is a band that has carved out a reputation for its retro-soul, funky R&B sound. Their compilation of work reflects their Southern artistic roots, passion to preserve music legacy of this era, and tireless effort to reignite the appreciation and celebration of classic soul grooves through their own unique blend of styles.
Bonneville has been featured in the top 10 across 400+ Spotify playlists and was premiered by top international press outlets, including Relix Magazine, Glide Magazine, CLASH, EARMILK, ROUGH, NOTION, MUSIC CROWNS, Folk N Rock, Backseat Mafia, and Fame Magazine.
‘Flying Machine’ is a soulful journey through retro grooves, Southern roots, and modern textures. The album blends the warmth of 70s soul, funk, and R&B with touches of post-disco, acid jazz, and electronic funk—drawing on influences like Jamiroquai to push the band’s sound into new territory. Some tracks echo the smooth grooves of Curtis Mayfield and Bobby Womack, while others lean into Southern rock nostalgia, evoking the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Though deeply rooted in vintage soul, Bonneville isn’t afraid to experiment—blending live instrumentation with layered production to create music that feels both timeless and fresh. Guest appearances by members of the Muscle Shoals FAME Gang, harmonica legend Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson), and guitarist Will McFarlane (Bonnie Raitt) add even more depth to a sound that honors the past while carving out its own space in the present.
‘Undercover Woman,’ the first single released off the album, is a head-nodding, funk-infused jam about a man who desires emotional closeness from a woman who is initially hesitant. After some persistence, her walls come down, he wins her heart, and the song builds into a joyful celebration song about love hard-won. What begins as a groove-driven slow burn turns into a full-blown house party by the end. Written on a whim at FAME Studios while the band was charting a live set, the song was sparked by guitarist, songwriter, and co-producer Jeff Hayashi’s experiment with open tuning and quickly came to life with contributions from the full band. Produced by Starita, known for his work on GRAMMY® Award-winning albums, the track captures Bonneville’s signature blend of vintage soul and playful creativity, with a sound that feels raw, warm, and alive. It’s a road trip jam, a dance floor groove, and proof that sometimes the best songs are the ones you don’t see coming.As the second release, ‘Boogeyman’ stands out on ‘Flying Machine’ as echoing quintessential inner city soul music of the early 70’s, with a timely message for humanity.
The song hits hard from the start: a massive horn section, a wailing harmonica intro from the legendary Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Chris Stapleton), and signature guitar work from Will McFarlane (longtime guitarist for Bonnie Raitt and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section member who played on records by Etta James, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, and Johnny Taylor) set the tone like a freight train rolling in. The track’s deep groove and expansive bridge drive the song forward, underscoring its message about fear, distraction, and the pull of modern media. Inspired by the archetype of the Boogeyman—the looming figure used to scare people into submission—the song challenges listeners to unplug, wake up, and reclaim their attention. Despite its heavy themes, ‘Boogeyman’ is ultimately a feel-good track: empowering, funky, and impossible not to move to. It’s a modern protest song disguised as a dance floor jam.
‘Beautiful One,’ the third single from ‘Flying Machine,’ is the album’s most modern and accessible track—a funky, feel-good summer dance tune with a deep, driving groove and a hard-hitting chorus hook, wrapped around a sharp tongue-in-cheek message about the club scene and selfie culture that invites reflection. Departing from Bonneville’s usual retro-soul sound, the track boldly blends deep funk, house, post-disco, and acid jazz with electronic elements, drawing inspiration from artists like Jamiroquai and The Weeknd. Written from the perspective of a wallflower observing “pick me” culture and surface-level connections, the song critiques how social media and dating often miss real intimacy. Hayashi and McGee pushed their creative limits here, drawing on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the Wall’ harmonies and creating space for producer Starita to blend electronic textures with live instrumentation, resulting in a layered production that pushes their sound in a bold new direction. The contrast between the upbeat groove and its darker, introspective undertones gives ‘Beautiful One’ an ironic edge, making it a head-bopping dance tune with a message—inviting listeners to both move and think.
The fifth single, ‘The Chase,’ is a full-throttle, funk-fueled instrumental inspired by 1970s urban car chase scenes. Drawing on the spirit of ‘Shaft,’ ‘Dirty Harry,’ and ‘Starsky & Hutch,’ the track unfolds like a high-speed pursuit through city streets. As the only instrumental track on the album, it puts the spotlight on the band’s musicianship, featuring members of the legendary Muscle Shoals FAME Gang alongside Bonneville band members. Written and co-produced by Hayashi, the song was built around a horn line that came to him in a dream and expanded into a multi-movement funk piece with flutes, strings, vibraphone, and a standout bass solo. ‘The Chase’ is both a cinematic tribute and a bold musical statement born from Bonneville’s deep roots in soul and funk coupled with imagination and range. It’s not just a song; it’s a vibe, a ride, and a scene. “I hope fans want to throw on their butterfly collars and platforms and watch an old 70’s cop thriller,” says band member Wes McGee.
‘Lady of the Tennessee,’ the seventh single released, is a moody, Southern rock-leaning tune that channels the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Comin’ Home’ and The Allman Brothers’ ‘Blue Sky.’ It’s also one of the most personal tracks on ‘Flying Machine.’ Rooted in the legend of a river spirit who protects those who listen, the song reflects the redemptive power of music and the deep connection Bonneville has formed with Muscle Shoals, where this album was recorded. “This song encompasses our pilgrimage to Muscle Shoals and is the embodiment of our experiences making music there thus far. Personally, I cannot remember a time in my life, songwriting and creative-wise, that I have been as inspired as I have been since we made Muscle Shoals our musical home,” says Hayashi. McGee adds, “Some places just feel like home, even if it’s the first time you step foot in them. Muscle Shoals is that for us.” That sense of spiritual belonging shapes both the tone and the writing. Built on a rotating A-major chord and a soulful undercurrent, the song unfolds like a river—steady, flowing, and full of reverence for the place that sparked its creation.
The title track, ‘Flying Machine’, is a modern, funky dance groove wrapped in an airy, vibey dreamscape. It’s one of the more playful tracks on the album, blending live instrumentation with electronic elements to create a sound that moves and floats at the same time. Drawing inspiration from artists like Jamiroquai, Cymande, and Stevie Wonder, the track blends danceable rhythm with melodic synthesizers and a playful, dreamlike feel, marking a sonic shift for Bonneville—leaning into retro electronic funk while still holding the warmth of their soul roots. The idea for the song came late one night when Hayashi found his young son staring up at the moon. That simple moment sparked a melody and a feeling that carried all the way through the track: wonder, imagination, and the belief that we’re capable of more. McGee’s vocals start light and dreamy—like a daydream—but land with more force as the song builds, capturing that shift from imagination to the deep desire for something greater. ‘Flying Machine’ is a reminder to stay open, stay curious, and let yourself rise.
The full production team on ‘Flying Machine’ include band members – Jeff Hayashi, songwriter, guitar, co-producer; Wes McGee, songwriter, lead vocals; Andy Dixon, bass; Brad Kuhn, keys; Justin Holder, drums; Starita, producer, recording engineer, programmer, synths; Wes Sheffield, recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer. The album was recorded at Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals, AL. Creative direction and photography by Tam Akiko. Released by Starita Records, a division of Starita Music.
Bonneville’s ‘Flying Machine’ album is available across all digital service providers on Friday, July 4th, 2025. For a complete list of upcoming performances and events, visit http://bonnevilleofficial.com/.
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