Customer Reviews

Soulive (Dig)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This new, self-titled album is their best album, period, and you could tell they had a lot to prove. After a pretty strong first album ("Doin' Somethin' "), their consequent release (not counting the re-release of an even older album than their debut, I'm speaking of "Next") paled by comparison. They added lots of guests and what was practically being billed as a new, fourth member (sax player Sam Kininger), but the album didn't have the same charm as the original work: three brothers working it out.

Well, the new Soulive smokes, literally: it was recorded in various nightclubs around the country with the apparent sole mission of proving that they didn't need the studio, label trappings and guest stars to be a great band. This album is very funky, very VIP-backroom-of-the-club smoky. "First Street" really takes off with its changes and speed, showcasing the dexterity and musicianship of these cats better than just about their whole previous catalogue.

Check out the REAL new jazz.

Soulive are at their best when playing live and this new live disk proves the point. Recorded at various venues during 2002 the set contains many of their best songs. All of the songs are composed by the group with the exception of the cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny". The chemistry of the three members is what makes Soulive so interesting. The Evans brothers bring both a jazz swing and funk element to their music. Neal Evans keyboard playing brings to mind people like Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, John Patton, Jimmy McGriff, and Groove Holmes among others. Drummer Alan Evans keeps the groove in the pocket and danceable. Guitarist Eric Krasno punctuates the songs with inventive solos. His playing switches from jazzy to funky to more rock oriented sometimes during the same song. The set culminates with a lengthy version of their show stopper "Turn It Out". Every song is a keeper and I couldn't help but tap my feet while listening to this disk. Tracks like "Solid" and "Shaheed" harken back to the sixties soul jazz B-3 organ heyday. However, the guitarist Krasno gives the music a more contemporary feel at times. This new set is arguably my favorite Soulive disk yet released. Soulive along with the James Taylor Quartet are keeping the Hammond B-3 tradition in good hands!

To say that Soulive is a lesson in groove is stating the obvious, and this album wonderfully underscores that lesson. Being a musician, the thing that keeps coming to my head as I listen to this live cd is "if only groups I play with could be this tight." These guys listen to each other, playing off each other not only during the heads of tunes but in the solo sections as well. They slowly build energy from quiet parts to loud parts (in the same way String Cheese Incident does) and I can only imagine how much fun this live show would be because of this. For either an enthralling listening analysis or some killer background music, this cd will not disappoint either way.

If you're reading this review you probably already know about Soulive's ability to deliver great music, especially live. If not, I'll briefly say that this band consists of three very gifted artist who are on a mission to fully revive and save Soul-Jazz. I own everything these cats have done, and have seen them perform live in Atlanta, where they've been twice since this past December('02). After seeing them live the first time back in December, I can honestly say I left the Variety Playhouse here in awe and amazement of the power a 3 man set can bring. Moreover, when listening to this CD, I feel the same way after listening time after time again. This CD puts you right at the show (check tracks 3 and 6 which were recorded here in Dec), and does not let up. I encourage anyone who wants to rediscover what live music feels like to pick up this CD. Soulive can only top this by doing a double-live CD of a live show from start to finish uninterrupted at one venue. I say this because the only fault I have(which is very minor)is the edited feel you get from the disc because each song is faded out with the exception of tracks 8 and 9 (Lenny and Turn it Out) which are taken from one show (NYC)and flows beautifully to end the disc. Rush to buy this one!!!

From the original "turn it out" album to this, brings a totally different but difinetly Grow-on-you tone. I find that the people who comment on soulive's new albums as to be too hip-hoppy and non-traditional are too stuck in their little minds to think that progress ain't a good thing. The first to the lastest album goes from an original hammond jazz trio with groovy melodies to an all out funky trio with much more groove. Eric krasno's guitar is mainly amplified with a ultra-funky t-wah sound, Alan Evan's 'beats' are extremely catchy and syncipated and Neal Evan's traditional hammond is played with a new age and soulful groove throughout this live album. The people who I introduced this album to were all into very different types of music, and all really enjoyed it. Give this album a listen, I'm sure you'll get into it.

This release from Soulive features several songs from DOIN SOMETHING ("Solid", "Shaheed", and "One in Seven"), a Stevie Ray Vaughan cover ("Lenny"), Soulive's greatest hit ("Turn it Out"), and some new compositions. The new tunes put this album at the same level of greatness as TURN IT OUT and GET DOWN. Here is a description of the new material:

"Aladdin" is a wah-pedal extravaganza of funk in which Neal Evans rips a killer B3 solo. Overall it's a great in-your-face opener.

"El Ron" is probably my favorite of the entire disc. Eric Krasno lays down what in my opinion is his best solo ever recorded. It is HOT! Neal also does a great job of complementing it with some funky clavinet. Which, by the way, I like the addition of. It adds even more kick to their sound.

"First Street" demonstrates Kraz's ability to play some wicked rhythm guitar. His soloing skills are also apparent. Alan Evans lays down a sweet groove throughout which blends perfectly with his brother's left hand bass lines.

"Dig" is made by Alan's back-beat drumming which is deep in the pocket. The groove becomes even more interesting when the group brings the volume up and down during Neal's clavinet madness.

As you have read, I can't say enough about Soulive's newest tunes. The other material is good, but it's the new stuff that makes this album one of their best. Also, it is important to mention that everything here was recorded live from various venues in 2002. The sound quality is good and the live atmosphere is present.

In sum, if you are looking for something slick, funky, and dripping with soul (which are common characteristics of any Soulive album), get this! And then see them live. I'm sure going to now that I've heard this.

So many of todays artists don't know what direction they are going from album to album. They just don't have a clear idea of who they are. I have every recording made by Soulive and these guys just keep on getting better each time I hear them. They are a very tight band and they can groove it up or tone it down without losing their identity. To call them a throwback band would be a dis-service to them, but they do jam much like the Hancock "Headhunters" type bands of the 70's. They are great as just a trio jamming, or they are great with an ensemble of horns joining them. If you don't have EVERY album by Soulive, you should take a listen to them on here and you will own them all before you know it!

I picked up this cd yesterday after listening to it on the headphones in a local record store. Since this is my first cd by these guys, I was totally amazed. With the exception of track 8 "Lenny" the rest of the tracks are jamming. These three guys are smoking on this record. This cd reminds me of 70's sounds that were coming from Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power and some early Sly and the Family Stone.
Thank goodness that the Hammond B-3 organ and the clavinet are not dead instruments after all for todays young muscians. If you're a fan of the 70's Jazz Funk scene buy this cd. You will play it continuously without skipping songs.

I love this new CD. It has so much groove to it. I became a soulive listener through Audiogalaxy, then went out to buy their CD's. I really enjoyed what I was hearing. I was a little dissapointed by Next. It was an ok cd. I thought the addition of the sax made their sound a little more New Age Jazzy for my taste. Dont get me wrong, the sax player was good, it just sounded different. I really like live recordings over studio produced cd's. I just think there is more atmosphere and space in those live recordings. So, if you want to groove to something, buy this CD. Its great.

This is a really fun CD if you like Soulive. The live concerts do cover a lot of their previous songs, but hey it's a concert!