--=[ Soulive ]=--

Soulive - No Place Like Soul [2007]

The recently revived Stax label initiates its first release of new music with the appropriately named Soulive. The band's fifth studio effort, and first with a full-time vocalist, both solidifies and scatters the group's sound. By not utilizing high-profile guest vocalists, the focus is back on songs as opposed to the jazz-oriented jams of the past. Recent addition Toussaint acquits himself well, singing with old-school energy and passion that meshes with the group's similar slant. But it comes at the expense of the skin-tight Crusaders-styled approach, once a staple of Soulive's sound. A few instrumentals, such as the rather plodding "Bubble" and the Stevie Ray Vaughan-inspired "Outrage," allow the guys to flex their considerable chops, yet this is clearly the act's most controlled, song-oriented effort yet. Toussaint goes falsetto loverman on the syrupy closing ballad "Kim," but the album coheres most effectively when Soulive hit a mid-tempo groove, as on "Callin'," the opening Sly Stone heavy funk-rock of "Waterfall," and the handclap-driven title track. Toussaint's reggae roots emerge on "If This World Was a Song" and his dusky voice is also a terrific match for the grinding funk of "Morning Light." Most of the improvisational jazz the threesome built their reputation on is MIA, which is particularly noticeable in Neal Evans's B3 keyboards moving to a supporting role. But Soulive take a step forward into the past on this retro excursion, and the impressive results should expand their audience--although possibly at the expense of some established fans drawn to the band's less structured material.













Soulive-Next [2002]

Soulive are proof that jazz remains a living organism that continually evolves from its past to make music for the present. Now a quartet with their addition of a saxophonist, Soulive brew a seamless funky concoction of '60s jazz-organ grooves, '70s funk, '90s acid-jazz, and fresh hip-hop that defies classification. The basic vibe of the music mirrors the great organ-guitar-sax era of the '60s, and these twentysomething musicians capture the nightclub feel of that time on "Tuesday Night's Squad" and the stirring ballad "Alkime." Dance-music fans will dig tracks that feature hip-hoppers Black Thought (from the Roots) and Talib Kweli. And for those who need their '70s groove on, they quote Earth Wind & Fire directly on "Flurries" and pay homage to the Brecker Brothers' highly syncopated style on "Whatever It Is." Dave Matthews, who Soulive opened for on a long tour of sold-out rock venues, returns the favor here on "Joyful Girl," but he is by far the least interesting aspect of this 13-song set. As their album title suggests, in jazz, Soulive is what's next.













Soulive - Get Down [1999]

All I have to say is that this is one killer album. Just soul jams. And also to my knowledge, this cut was knocked out in one day! Man! This album is tight. The group works so well together. Any group who can get together one night and cut an album that same night perfectly, and produce products like this, is just meant to be together. Soulive is this example.

You only need to listen to one song on this album to understand what I'm talking about. Track seven is a live performance of "Right On". It is a ten minute jam that will make you "Get Down!".

All track info is in the comment section...