Nytro -

Nytro was an American soul-funk band that released two albums on producer Norman Whitfield’s namesake Warner-subsidiary Whitfield Records between 1977 and 1979.

Members: Benjamin Wilber, Chris Powell, Daniel Smithson, Earnest Reed, John Jackson, Kenneth Scott, LaMorris Payne, Robert Justice, Theodore Willingham

Background

Nytro evolved from The Soul Superbs, a Columbus, Ohio, soul group formed in the early 1970s. The Superbs’ lineup included saxophonist Chris Powell, drummer Anthony Ludaway, vocalists Frankie Justice and Robert Justice, bassist Larry Ferris, and guitarists Bobby Payton and Ernest “Pepper” Reed, a prodigy who had played in Rusty Bryant’s band at age fifteen. The band performed extensively across the Midwest, holding engagements at Woody’s Magic Room in Rock Island, Illinois; the Golden Glow in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and the El Dorado in Battle Creek.

In 1974, The Soul Superbs cut the single “Just Ask Me” (vocal: Frankie Justice) backed with “Cannibals” (vocals: Ludaway, Tate) for the Columbus label Musicol. The record, written by Robert Justice, later gained collector status. Managed by Kenny Keels, the group toured through West Virginia before relocating to California, where they changed their name to Nytro and signed with producer Norman Whitfield’s Whitfield Records. Whitfield, then a key Motown affiliate known for his work with The Temptations, Rose Royce, and The Undisputed Truth, produced Nytro’s two albums for his Warner-distributed label.

The stable lineup comprised Robert Justice (vocals), Ernest “Pepper” Reed (guitar), Chris Powell (saxophone), LaMorris Payne (trumpet), Kenneth Scott (trumpet), Benjamin Wilber (keyboards), Theodore Willingham (bass), and Daniel Smithson (drums). Reed, Payne, and others from the group also contributed to recordings by Spyder Turner, Jr. Walker, Willie Hutch, Stargard, and Rose Royce.

Nytro

Whitfield Records released Nytro in 1977 through Warner Bros. The album blends dense syncopated funk with jazz-informed soul arrangements under producer Norman Whitfield.

Guitarist Earnest Reed Jr. wrote three numbers and co-wrote one with saxophonist Chris Powell. Trumpeter LaMorris Payne contributed two songs and co-wrote another with keyboardist Benjamin Wilber. Lead vocalist Robert Justice co-wrote “Atomic Funk,” the album’s lead track. Nytro collectively composed “Give Me One More Chance.”

The album opens with “Atomic Funk,” a horn-charged opener propelled by Payne’s trumpet bursts and Justice’s declarative vocal. “Foolin’ Around” and “What It Is” build on Reed’s guitar-led rhythm patterns in extended vamp form, while “Dreaming” and “Atmosphere” contrast with smoother, mid-tempo ballad textures reminiscent of Ohio Players’ harmonic style. The second side balances upbeat material (“Where’s the Party,” “Trick Bag”) with group-credited ensemble writing (“Give Me One More Chance”).

A1. “Atomic Funk” (5:05) — LaMorris Payne, Robert Justice Jr.
A2. “Dreaming” (4:02) — Benjamin Wilber, LaMorris Payne
A3. “Foolin’ Around” (6:10) — Earnest Reed Jr.
A4. “What It Is” (9:10) — Earnest Reed Jr.

B1. “Where’s the Party” (4:10) — LaMorris Payne
B2. “Atmosphere” (4:55) — Chris Powell, Earnest Reed Jr.
B3. “Give Me One More Chance” (4:10) — Nytro
B4. “Trick Bag” (4:20) — Earnest Reed Jr.

Sessions occurred at Sound Factory West in Los Angeles with Norman Whitfield producing and engineers Leanard Jackson, Steve Maslow, and Steve Smith handling recording and mix duties. Mixing also took place at The Village Recorder and The Burbank Studios.

Personnel: Robert Justice (lead vocals), Earnest Reed Jr. (guitar), Benjamin Wilber (keyboards), Theodore Willingham (bass), Daniel Smithson (drums), Chris Powell (saxophone), Kenneth Scott (trumpet), and LaMorris Payne (trumpet). Album coordination by William D. Whitfield and Steve Smith. Art direction by Ed Thrasher; cover art by Eric Chan for Gribbitt!.

Whitfield Records promoted Nytro with “What It Is” (b/w “Give Me One More Chance”) in April 1977.

Return to Nytropolis

Nytro released their second album, Return to Nytropolis, in 1979 on Whitfield Records through Warner Bros. The album expanded their funk base toward a disco-inflected sound layered with synthesizers and horn flourishes.

Whitfield wrote three tracks, including the instrumental opener “Nytro Express,” driven by rhythm guitar and brass interplay, and “High on Disco,” which incorporates a syncopated string section. Reed contributed two compositions (“People of the Country,” “Orbit of the Sun”) featuring prominent guitar figures and ensemble vocals.

Payne wrote “Make It,” Scott provided “I’ve Paid My Dues,” and keyboardist Ronald A. Smith authored “Could This Be the Night.” Guest players included guitarist Trey Stone and drummer James Gadson.

A1. “Nytro Express” (7:08) — Norman Whitfield
A2. “Return to Nytropolis” (5:40) — Norman Whitfield
A3. “Could This Be the Night” (5:15) — Ronald A. Smith
A4. “High on Disco” (5:01) — Norman Whitfield

B1. “People of the Country” (4:56) — Earnest Reed Jr.
B2. “Make It” (5:05) — LaMorris Payne
B3. “I’ve Paid My Dues” (4:08) — Kenneth Scott
B4. “Orbit of the Sun” (5:47) — Earnest Reed Jr.

Sessions took place at Fort Knox Recording Studio in Los Angeles with Norman Whitfield producing and engineers Leanard Jackson and Steve Smith overseeing recording and mixing. Mastering occurred at Kendun Studio D.

The album features singer Robert Justice with Earnest Reed Jr. (guitar), Ron A. Smith (keyboards), Theodore Willingham (bass), John Jackson (drums), Chris Powell (saxophone), Kenneth Scott and LaMorris Payne (trumpets). Guest contributions include Trey Stone on guitar, James Gadson on drums, Mark Engel on harmonica, and Terry Santiel on syndrums. Jackson previously appeared on Coming Right at You, the 1974 album by 100% Pure Poison.

Album coordination was managed by William D. Whitfield, while art direction came from Eleven Twenty-Four Design, with illustration by Dave McMacken and photography by Bobby Holland.

Whitfield Records preceded the album with “I’ve Paid My Dues” (b/w “Radio Queen”) in October 1978. “Nytro Express” (edit) backed with “Return to Nytropolis” followed in March 1979, trailed by “High on Disco” (edit) b/w “Make It” in July and “Orbit of the Sun” (edit) b/w “Could This Be the Night” in October.

Postlude

Nytro disbanded in 1980 after Whitfield Records reduced its roster amid a market shift toward synth-oriented R&B. Members continued session work across the Whitfield and Solar stables: Benjamin Wilber, Theodore Willingham, and Daniel Smithson played on Spyder Turner’s Music Web (1978); Chris Powell appeared on Jr. Walker’s Back Street Boogie (1979); LaMorris Payne and Kenneth Scott contributed to albums by Rose Royce, Willie Hutch, Stargard, and The Undisputed Truth. Reed’s guitar is heard on Shalamar’s “A Night to Remember” and numerous Solar releases, including The Whispers’ Imagination and Dynasty’s Adventures in the Land of Music.

Through these recordings, Nytro’s members sustained their link to Norman Whitfield’s late-1970s production circle, leaving a concise but distinctive imprint on post-Motown funk.

Discography: