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Soulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York. The band consists of Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (Hammond B3 organ, bass keys, clavinet). Although they originated as a trio, the band has worked extensively with different horn sections, which have included Sam Kininger (saxophone)[1] from 2000 to 2003, Rashawn Ross (trumpet), and Ryan Zoidis (saxophone) from 2003 to 2006.[2] The band also worked with vocalist Toussaint Yeshua from 2006 to 2007.[3] Soulive has toured in the original trio lineup of Eric Krasno, Alan Evans, and Neal Evans.[4]

Key Information

History

[edit]

In the 90s, brothers Alan and Neal Evans had been the rhythm section for the Northeastern jam band Moon Boot Lover with front man Peter Prince. After a brief foray into rap with Edreys aka Billy Drease Williams under the name The Elements, the brothers looked to form a traditional jazz organ trio. On March 2, 1999, Alan and Neal invited guitarist Eric Krasno (a friend they knew from high school days) to record some tracks with them in their home studio in Woodstock, New York. That jam session became their first album, Get Down! and the band shortly thereafter hit the road to begin touring.[5] It was during that first summer together that the band recorded their first LP, Turn It Out, for Velour Recordings. Turn It Out featured various guest musicians, including John Scofield, Oteil Burbridge, and Sam Kininger. The independently produced album went on to sell 65,000 copies, enabling Soulive to gain recognition in the jazz/funk scene.

In the next three years, Soulive embarked on five national tours. The band opened for The Rolling Stones,[6] Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, Common, John Mayer, and others. The band also continued to play at various festivals, including the Monterey Jazz Festival and Bonnaroo. Overseas, Soulive played shows in Japan and all over Europe.[7]

In the fall of 2000, Soulive signed a record deal with Blue Note Records. The following spring, Soulive released its first Blue Note album, Doin' Something, which featured horn arrangements by Fred Wesley, the trombonist from James Brown's band.[5] The band's second Blue Note record, Next, featured guest vocalists Dave Matthews and Amel Larrieux, and rappers Talib Kweli and Black Thought. During this time, the band also recorded with singer-songwriter Goapele Mohlabane.

In 2003, Soulive released a self-titled live album, Soulive (Live), and a collection of remixes, Turn It Out Remixed, which featured guests Jurassic 5, DJ Spinna, DJ Krush, J-Live, Wordsworth, and the Beatnuts.

In the Summer of 2005, Soulive left Blue Note Records and signed a new contract with the jazz label Concord Records.[8]

On September 13, 2005, Soulive released its first album with Concord Records, Break Out. On this release the band eschewed extended jams for beat-driven instrumentals and collaborations with Chaka Khan (featured on "Back Again"), Ivan Neville (featured on "Got Soul" and "Take It Easy"),[5] Corey Glover (featured on "Freedom"), Robert Randolph (featured on the Jimi Hendrix cover "Crosstown Traffic" and also on "Interlude II"), and Reggie Watts (featured on "She's Hooked" and "What Can You Do?").[8]

Late in 2006 the group recorded No Place Like Soul with producer Stewart Lerman at his studio in Greenwich Village, The Shinebox. The album was released on Stax Records, which had been absorbed into Concord. On that album and the subsequent tour, Boston based reggae/soul artist Toussaint joined band as lead vocalist.[9] However, after the tour, the band decided to become a trio yet again. In a post to the Soulive messageboard,[10] Alan Evans explained: "we just want to have fun. no more chasing the pop thing or whatever that is. We just want to go out and rage, no setlists, no huge venues, no tour buses. Just have fun. This is not to say we didn't have fun with tours, we did but we realized that in looking at our past... We have had the most success and most fun when it was just the trio."

In 2008, Soulive performed at the Newport Jazz Festival.[11][12]

Soulive released a new album, Up Here, on April 14, 2009. The album marked somewhat of a return to form for the group, as many of the songs are solely instrumentals. For this album, they were joined once again by Ryan Zoidis on tenor sax, Sam Kininger on alto sax - who are now under the alias/moniker "The Shady Horns" - as well as appearances by Rashawn Ross on trumpet. Nigel Hall also guests on the track "Too Much".

On July 28, 2009, Soulive played the pre-game festivities for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game at The Canyons in Park City, Utah.[13]

In 2010 the band released an album of Beatles covers entitled Rubber Soulive. Neal Evans said in an interview, "We had a ton of different concept albums that we wanted to do over the years, including a ‘British Invasion’ album....When it came time to make a record we decided to follow through with the Beatles concept."[14] In 2019, Krasno moved to the West Coast, in part, to build a home studio and dig deeper into his producer work.[15] Soulive currently are focusing on city-specific runs and residencies. In 2020, he launched the Plus One podcast.[16]

Bowlive

[edit]

Starting in 2010, Soulive has held an annual two-week, ten-night residency at the Brooklyn Bowl.[17] The shows run from Tuesday to Saturday, each night involving a different opening act consisting of a myriad of both announced and unannounced guest musicians. Rarely has Soulive played as a trio during these shows—a horn section called "The Shady Horns," has almost always joined them on stage. The players have changed slightly over the years, but the section usually includes Ryan Zoidis on tenor and baritone saxophones and Sam Kininger on alto saxophone.

Some of the guest musicians have included:

Bowlive I (2010) – Oteil Burbridge, Questlove, Marco Benevento, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Talib Kweli, The London Souls, Lettuce
Bowlive II (2011) – Robert Randolph, John Scofield, Karl Denson, Ivan Neville, Matisyahu, Bernie Worrell, Taylor Hicks, Kofi Burbridge, Lettuce, Corey Glover
Bowlive III (2012) – John Scofield, Karl Denson, George Porter Jr., Marco Benevento, Citizen Cope, Allen Stone, Derek Trucks, Lettuce, Questlove, Luther Dickinson
Bowlive IV (2013) - Luther Dickinson, Robert Randolph, Lee Fields, Marco Benevento, David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), George Porter Jr.
Bowlive V (2014) - George Porter Jr., Nicki Bluhm, John Scofield, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Russo, Darryl McDaniels (Run-DMC), Talib Kweli
Bowlive VI (2015) - Marco Benevento, George Porter Jr., Anders Osborne, Chris Robinson, Jennifer Hartswick, Aaron Neville
Bowlive VII (2017) - Karl Denson, Steve Kimock, Doyle Bramhall II, John Scofield, George Porter Jr., Marcus King, GRiZ, Son Little

Discography

[edit]
Title (Notes) Year released Label
Get Down! (EP) 1999 [re-released 2002] Soulive / Velour Recordings
Turn It Out 2000 [re-released 2002] Velour Recordings
Doin' Something 2001 Blue Note
Next 2002 Blue Note
Soulive (live) 2003 Blue Note
Turn It Out Remixed 2003 Velour Recordings
Steady Groovin' (compilation) 2005 Blue Note
Break Out 2005 Concord
No Place Like Soul 2007 Stax
Up Here 2009 Royal Family
Live in San Francisco (live) 2009 Royal Family
Live at the Blue Note Tokyo (live) 2010 Royal Family
Rubber Soulive 2010 Royal Family
Spark! (with Karl Denson) 2012 Royal Family
Cinematics, Vol. 1 (EP) 2018 Soulive
Cinematics, Vol. 2 (EP) 2024 Soulive

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Soulive

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Soulive is an American soul and trio formed in 1999 in , consisting of drummer , keyboardist Neal Evans (Alan's brother), and guitarist Eric Krasno. The band blends classic soul- influences from artists like and Jimmy Smith with modern hip-hop grooves and rhythms, earning acclaim in the jam band and scenes for their energetic live performances and improvisational style. Originally hailing from the area and drawing from backgrounds—such as the Evans brothers' prior work in the funk group Moon Boot Lover and Alan's involvement with —Soulive quickly gained traction after self-releasing their debut EP Get Down! in 1999. Their first full-length album, Turn It Out, followed in 2000 on Velour Unlimited, leading to a signing with the prestigious label. Key early releases on Blue Note included Doin' Something (2001, featuring guitarist ), Next (2002), and the live album Soulive (2003), which showcased their growing reputation through sold-out tours in , , and the U.S., often opening for luminaries like , , and . After departing , the trio issued Break Out on Concord in 2005 and No Place Like Soul on Stax in 2007, the latter incorporating vocals from Toussaint Yeshua, whom they briefly added as a fourth member from 2006 to 2007. Transitioning to independent releases via their Records imprint, Soulive produced Up Here (2009) and a covers album titled Rubber Soulive (2010, which topped the Jazz charts), their last full-length studio album for over a decade; they followed with the EP Spark! (2012). The band became renowned for their annual Bowlive residency at New York City's starting in 2010, fostering collaborations with guests like , , and , and solidifying their status as a staple in the instrumental funk- community. Following a period of reduced activity, Soulive returned in 2024 with the EP Cinematics, Vol. 2, featuring the single "Cabriolet," and continued momentum in 2025 with the release of "Baby Jupiter," the lead single from their forthcoming full-length album Flowers—their first since 2010—slated for January 30, 2026. On November 14, 2025, they released another single from the album, "Flowers at Your Feet."

Background

Formation

Soulive formed in March 1999 in , when brothers on drums and Neal Evans on Hammond B3 organ and bass invited guitarist Eric Krasno to jam in their newly built home studio. This session, which took place on March 2 and 3, proved highly productive and led the three musicians to solidify their trio format. The band's initial output was the independent EP Get Down!, recorded during that March session at Soulive Studios in , with additional live tracks captured at the Izzy Bar in on June 17, 1999. Originally self-released in 1999 as a limited pressing of 2,000 CDs on their own Soulive Records label, the EP was reissued in 2002 on Recordings, marking their first official recording effort. Following the EP's release, Soulive began performing live to build a local following in the New York area, with one of their earliest documented gigs at the Izzy Bar serving as a key early collaboration that showcased their emerging sound. By mid-1999, they were playing regular shows in venues around New York and nearby regions, such as Ithaca, gradually attracting attention through word-of-mouth in the local jazz and funk scenes before pursuing a major label deal.

Members

Soulive's core lineup consists of three founding members who have defined the band's instrumental soul-jazz sound since its inception in 1999. Eric Krasno (born June 28, 1976, in ) serves as the , bringing a versatile style that fuses , , and hip-hop influences to create melodic leads and rhythmic grooves central to the trio's energy. His contributions extend beyond Soulive through leading the collective , pursuing a prolific solo career with albums like Blood From a Stone (2022), and producing for artists via his Fyre Dept. imprint; in 2019, Krasno relocated to , expanding his collaborative network on the West Coast. Alan Evans (born circa 1975 in Buffalo, New York), the drummer and co-founder, provides the propulsive, danceable rhythms that anchor Soulive's groove-oriented performances, drawing from soul and funk traditions to drive the band's improvisational flow. His side endeavors include the Alan Evans Trio (AE3), a power soul organ group featuring Danny Mayer on guitar and Beau Sasser on organ, as well as family-oriented projects like the Vintage League Music Family Album series and his alter-ego Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers; Evans also works as a recording engineer, mixer, and label owner based in Western Massachusetts. Neal Evans (born circa 1977 in ), the younger brother of Alan and the band's organist, handles Hammond B3 organ and bass pedals, delivering rich, layered textures that evoke classic soul-jazz organ trios while incorporating modern electronic elements for depth and . His solo pursuits highlight his Hammond expertise, including the explosive album BANG! (2012) and the ongoing project, which explores experimental electronic and organ-driven compositions. The band briefly expanded in 2006–2007 with vocalist Toussaint Liberator (also known as Toussaint Yeshua), who joined as lead singer and contributed husky, -inflected vocals alongside songwriting for the album No Place Like Soul (2007), marking Soulive's first full vocal-led release before departing to pursue reggae and soul projects like Buru Style.

Musical Style and Influences

Core Elements

Soulive's foundational sound is characterized by funk-jazz and soul-jazz genres, deeply rooted in the traditions established by pioneers such as Jimmy Smith and Booker T. & the M.G.'s. This instrumental trio configuration—featuring guitar, , and drums—prioritizes groove, , and hip-hop-infused beats, creating a danceable fusion that bridges vintage soul-jazz with contemporary rhythms. The band maintains a vocal-free approach in its core setup, with the only exception being a brief collaboration with vocalist Toussaint Yeshua between 2006 and 2007, which resulted in the album No Place Like Soul. Central to their sonic identity are distinctive trademarks from each member: Eric Krasno's bluesy guitar riffs, which shift from chicken-scratch rhythms to deep-blue licks, providing melodic and textural drive; Neal Evans' B3 organ contributions, including expressive swells and buttery bass lines generated via pedals for a layered, church-like resonance; and Alan Evans' tight drumming patterns, often described as "good-foot" grooves that anchor the ensemble with precise, neck-snapping propulsion. These elements combine to emphasize raw interplay and infectious funk, evoking the intimacy of live performance while fusing old-school R&B with modern hip-hop sensibilities inspired by acts like A Tribe Called Quest. The trio's early influences draw from 1960s soul-jazz exemplars, including for their rhythmic funk foundations and for improvisational dynamics, all integrated with jam-band extensibility to define Soulive's enduring, groove-centric aesthetic.

Evolution Over Time

Soulive's early sound was characterized by a raw, instrumental funk-jazz approach, drawing heavily from soul-jazz traditions while emphasizing the trio's tight interplay on guitar, drums, and Hammond B3 organ. This foundation established their reputation in the jam band and scenes, with a focus on groove-driven compositions that prioritized live energy over polished production. In the mid-2000s, the band began incorporating more experimental elements, blending their core funk-jazz with hip-hop beats and electronic textures through collaborations and remixes that expanded their sonic palette. This period marked a departure from their initial rawness, introducing urban influences that added layers of rhythm and sampling to their framework, though they maintained the trio's essential organ-guitar-drums setup. A notable shift occurred in 2007 with the addition of vocalist Toussaint Yeshua for the No Place Like Soul, which introduced soulful, Stax-inspired vocals and reggae-inflected cadences, marking Soulive's first significant foray into fronted material. However, by 2009's Up Here, they reverted to their trio format, refocusing on grooves without vocals to recapture their original intensity. Post-2010, Soulive placed greater emphasis on live improvisation and reinterpretations of classic material, as exemplified by their 2010 tribute album Rubber Soulive, which reimagined tracks from across the Fab Four's catalog in a straight-ahead style. This evolution highlighted their adaptability, transforming pop-rock songs into extended, organ-led jams that underscored their improvisational prowess. In recent years, the band has adopted a more streamlined production approach with the Cinematics EP series, beginning in , featuring concise, atmospheric tracks that evoke cinematic moods while returning to a refreshed classic trio sound. These releases, including Cinematics Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, prioritize subtle dynamics and smoldering grooves over high-energy blasts, signaling a mature phase of introspection and precision. Looking ahead, Soulive's upcoming full-length album Flowers, set for release on January 30, 2026 and recorded at Floki Studios in , represents their first studio effort since 2012, promising a renewed focus shaped by the isolated, creative environment of the sessions. The lead single "Baby Jupiter" (October 2025) distills the trio's deep-rooted chemistry into a potent, groove-oriented track, while the follow-up "Flowers at Your Feet" (November 14, 2025, featuring vocals by ) hints at continued evolution in their soul-jazz idiom.

Career

Early Years (1999–2004)

Soulive's early professional trajectory began with their independent releases on Velour Recordings, where they issued the EP Get Down! in 1999, followed by their debut full-length album Turn It Out later that year, recorded over the summer and featuring guest appearances by guitarist and bassist . The album blended , , and soul influences, capturing live and studio performances that highlighted the trio's improvisational chemistry. This independent phase built initial buzz in the underground music scene, leading to their signing with in the fall of 2000, a pivotal move that provided major-label support for wider distribution and promotion. Under , Soulive released Doin' Something in March 2001, an album that expanded on their sound with extended jams and further collaboration from , solidifying their reputation for organ-driven grooves rooted in soul and jazz traditions. The band followed with Next in 2002, which introduced saxophonist Sam Kininger as a quasi-permanent member, shifting toward a format while maintaining their core focus. That same year, reissued Turn It Out with additional tracks, broadening its reach. Their first live album, simply titled Soulive, arrived in 2003, documenting trio performances that emphasized their raw energy and improvisational prowess on stage. The band's foundational tours during this period were instrumental in establishing their presence, particularly as they opened for established acts in the jam-band circuit. In summer 2001, Soulive supported the on multiple stadium dates, with Matthews personally introducing them as "the greatest band in the world" before each set, exposing the trio to large audiences and fostering connections within the improvisational music community. They also toured alongside , leveraging their collaborative history to refine their live dynamic, and performed at key festivals that helped cultivate a dedicated following among jam-band enthusiasts. By 2003–2004, these efforts transitioned Soulive from openers to headliners, with sold-out runs and international outings to and underscoring their rising momentum.

Mid-Career Developments (2005–2010)

In 2005, Soulive transitioned from by signing a new deal with Concord Jazz, marking a shift toward broader distribution and continued exploration of their -jazz sound. This partnership resulted in the release of their studio album Break Out on September 13, 2005, which featured guest appearances from artists like and , emphasizing the band's evolving improvisational style. Earlier that year, had issued Steady Groovin', a compilation of previously recorded tracks highlighting the group's early grooves with guests such as . By 2007, Soulive signed with the revived , venturing into vocal-led territory for the first time with the album No Place Like Soul, released on July 31, 2007. The project featured vocalist Toussaint Yeshua (also known as Toussaint) on most tracks, blending soulful lyrics with the trio's signature organ-guitar grooves, though it included only two s. This experiment with vocals received mixed reception but showcased the band's willingness to incorporate R&B elements; however, they quickly returned to their instrumental roots for subsequent releases. In 2009, Soulive launched their own Royal Family Records imprint, releasing the studio album Up Here on April 14, which reunited the core trio with occasional horn sections and vocalist Nigel Hall for a return to high-energy funk-jazz fusion. That same year, they issued the live album Live in San Francisco, capturing performances from spring 2009 shows that highlighted their dynamic stage interplay. The following year brought Rubber Soulive in 2010, a covers album reinterpreting tracks in an instrumental vein, further solidifying their label independence. During this period, Soulive maintained a rigorous touring schedule, sharing bills with acts like —building on earlier collaborations—and at festivals and venues across the U.S. Their international profile grew notably, including multiple tours that fostered a dedicated fanbase, culminating in a residency at 's club in 2008, later documented on the 2010 live release Live at the Blue Note Tokyo. These performances underscored the band's peak activity, blending club dates with major festival appearances to expand their global reach.

Later Activities (2011–present)

Following the release of their 2010 album Rubber Soulive, Soulive entered a period of reduced output, marking the beginning of an independent phase with the 2012 EP Spark!, issued on their own Royal Family Records imprint. This four-track collaboration with saxophonist Karl Denson paid homage to guitarist Melvin Sparks while showcasing the trio's streamlined funk-jazz interplay, produced entirely by the band members. The band then took an informal hiatus from 2013 to 2018, influenced by individual pursuits that allowed each member to explore personal creative directions. Guitarist Eric Krasno focused on solo albums such as Blood From a Stone (2016) and Always (2022), while brothers Alan and Neal Evans developed side projects including the Alan Evans Ensemble and various family-oriented collaborations blending soul and funk. Krasno's relocation to Southern California in 2019 further contributed to the group's decentralized activities, shifting focus toward remote and collaborative endeavors. Soulive reconvened for sporadic releases, beginning with the 2018 EP Cinematics, Vol. 1, a five-track collection of grooves inspired by cinematic themes, self-released and emphasizing their core organ-guitar-drums sound. This was followed by Cinematics, Vol. 2 in 2024, another EP featuring tracks like "Cabriolet" and "Beatrix," which continued the series' atmospheric, film-noir-inflected style and was limited to vinyl and digital formats. During this time, drummer expanded his production role and has discussed recording techniques and music industry insights on podcasts such as Recording Studio Rockstars. The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023 severely curtailed live touring, limiting the band to occasional virtual performances, such as livestreams from Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, which maintained fan engagement through intimate, home-based sets. Activity resumed gradually with select residencies, including a 16-show run at New York City's Blue Note Jazz Club in June 2023, blending classics and new material. In 2025, Soulive signaled a resurgence with the October release of the single "Baby Jupiter," recorded at Iceland's Floki Studios under the midnight sun and produced by , capturing the trio's renewed, groove-centric energy. This track previews their first full-length album in 15 years, Flowers, set for January 30, 2026, also from the sessions and featuring expansive, soulful compositions. The band marked their return to major festivals with a headline performance at New Orleans' The Joy Theater on April 25, 2025, as part of Jazz Fest's Fest by Nite series—their first New Orleans show in eight years.

Bowlive Series

Origins and Format

Bowlive originated in 2010 as Soulive's inaugural multi-night residency at the newly opened in , marking the band's 10th anniversary and continuing their tradition of extended club engagements from earlier venues like Wetlands. The series launched with a 10-night run from March 2–6 and March 9–13, structured as Tuesday through Saturday performances over two weeks, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and shows starting at 9 p.m. each evening. This format established Bowlive as an annual event, providing a consistent platform for the band to reconnect with fans in an intimate setting. At its core, Bowlive features Soulive's instrumental trio—Eric Krasno on guitar, on drums, and Neal Evans on Hammond B3 organ and keyboards—augmented by the brass section known as The Shady Horns, typically comprising saxophonists Ryan Zoidis and Sam Kininger, along with trumpeter . Nightly setlists blend the band's originals, such as "Up Right" and "Hurry Up & Wait," with covers from influences like and , extended through improvisational jams that allow for dynamic interplay. This structure emphasizes live energy and spontaneity, differentiating it from studio recordings. The residency evolved from Soulive's prior one-off and shorter club shows into a more structured yet flexible series, coinciding with the launch of their independent label, Records, in early 2010. Bowlive served as a celebratory kickoff for this new era, enabling the trio to experiment beyond conventional touring constraints by incorporating diverse collaborations and thematic elements in subsequent iterations. Its significance lies in fostering creative freedom, where the fixed venue and multi-night commitment allow for unscripted musical explorations outside the polished demands of album production.

Notable Events and Guests

Bowlive VIII in 2019 commenced with a notable opener on July 11, featuring Soulive joined by keyboardist , vocalist Jared Sims, and trombonist Brian Thomas for select portions of the set at . This residency, marking the band's 20th anniversary, highlighted the series' tradition of surprise collaborations that energize performances. Across various editions, recurring guests have included guitarist , pedal steel player Robert Randolph, and bassist , who brought their distinctive styles to Soulive's funk-jazz framework during multiple nights. The Shady Horns, featuring saxophonist Ryan Zoidis, trumpeter , and saxophonist James Casey, have served as staples, providing consistent brass support and appearing in nearly every installment since the early years. Themed nights have added variety, such as full performances of the Beatles-inspired Rubber Soulive album, originally released in 2010 as an instrumental covers collection. During Bowlive VII in 2017, Soulive played the album in its entirety, while the edition (Bowlive XI) opened with a Rubber Soulive set alongside guitarist Brandon "Taz" Niederauer. These events often tied into special releases, including the 2011 live album Bowlive - Live at the , which captured the residency's improvisational energy with tracks featuring guests like Nigel Hall and . The series has significantly impacted the fan community by fostering a dedicated following through its unpredictable nightly lineups and communal atmosphere, solidifying Brooklyn Bowl's status as a Williamsburg music hub since its 2009 opening alongside the inaugural Bowlive. Despite pauses during the , Bowlive resumed in 2022 with scaled-back three-night runs, including anniversary celebrations with , and continued annually through 2024, maintaining its role in the venue's legacy of innovative residencies.

Discography

Studio Albums

Soulive's debut major-label studio album, Turn It Out, was initially self-released in 1999 before being reissued by Velour Recordings in 2000 and Blue Note in 2002, capturing the band's raw funk energy through tight soul-jazz grooves influenced by 1970s artists like and . The production, recorded at studios including Applehead in Woodstock, NY, emphasized the core trio's interplay—Eric Krasno on guitar, Neal Evans on Hammond B-3 organ, and on —with occasional guests like Sam Kininger on alto sax for tracks such as "Rudy's Way," delivering an instrumental focus on infectious riffs and live-performance vitality. Expanding on their foundational sound, Doin' Something (2001, ) introduced broader grooves and notable guest appearances, including tenor saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart and trombonist , who arranged horns for select tracks and soloed on the title cut. Produced with a blend of and backbeats, the album's themes centered on rhythmic exploration, as heard in the hip-hop-infused "Bridge to 'Bama" and the syncopated "One in Seven," which shifts from 7/4 to 4/4 time for extended solos. Next (2002, Blue Note), recorded across studios in , Woodstock, and New York, leaned into jazzier improvisations while maintaining the band's organ tradition, with a tight groove underscoring soulful motifs. The production highlighted harmonic richness and forward momentum, distinguishing it from prior soul-jazz efforts through tracks that balanced chunky with exploratory phrasing. Break Out (2005, Concord) introduced prominent horn sections, with contributors like Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Cochemea Gastlum on alto sax adding brassy textures to tracks such as the title song and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Crosstown Traffic." The production incorporated guests including Chaka Khan and Corey Glover on vocals, blending funk, R&B, and improvisation to create syncopated, road-tested arrangements that expanded the trio's sonic palette. Shifting toward vocal-led soul on No Place Like Soul (2007, Stax/Concord), the album featured singer Toussaint on most tracks, evoking the label's legacy with gritty like "Waterfall" and falsetto-driven "Kim." Production highlighted crunchy guitar solos and bourbon-aged vocals over one-chord vamps and riffs reminiscent of , with two instrumentals—"Bubble" and "Outrage"—nodding to surfy, Hendrix-inspired vibes. Returning to independence with Up Here (2009, Royal Family Records), Soulive experimented by modifying their core with horn charts and soulful vocals, as in the gritty "PJ's," to mark a decade of evolution. The self-produced balanced traditional grooves with elements, showcasing restless innovation in tracks that danced between piano-driven bounce and stately horns. Rubber Soulive (2010, Royal Family Records) reimagined 11 songs instrumentally, from the R&B-infused "" to the melodic "," keeping performances concise under five minutes each. The trio-only production emphasized groove and rhythm, with keyboard bass lines and drumming evoking while delivering high-fidelity tributes to tracks like "" and "." Soulive's forthcoming studio album Flowers is slated for release on January 30, 2026, via Flóki Studios, marking their first full-length since 2010 and recorded at Floki Studios on Iceland's Troll Peninsula. The production, handled by drummer , draws from the band's early 2000s New York residency at Baby Jupiter, infusing themes of energy, joy, and community into tracks previewed by the single "Baby Jupiter."

Compilations

Steady Groovin' (2005, Blue Note) is a compilation of select grooves from Soulive's earlier Blue Note releases, including tracks from Doin' Something and Next, highlighting the trio's instrumental funk-jazz interplay.

Live Albums and EPs

Soulive's live albums capture the band's dynamic improvisational energy in concert settings, while their EPs offer concise collections of original material that bridge studio precision with live-inspired grooves. The trio's first official live release, the self-titled (2003, ), compiles performances from multiple U.S. venues, including in and the in New Orleans, showcasing extended jams like "" and "El Ron" that highlight their organ-guitar-drums interplay during a peak touring period. Later live efforts emphasize international and West Coast flavors. Live in (2009, Royal Family Records) documents two nights at The Independent venue, featuring tracks such as "Backwards Jack" and "" with guest appearances that amplify the band's funk-jazz fusion in a club atmosphere. Live at the (2010, Royal Family Records), a double-disc set, records a residency at the iconic , blending staples like "Steppin'" with high-energy solos that reflect the band's global appeal and the venue's intimate, reverent vibe. The band's EPs provide shorter, focused projects often tied to creative experiments. Get Down! (1999, self-released; reissued 2002, Velour Recordings) serves as their debut EP, featuring seven tracks recorded at Soulive Studios in New York, including "So Live!" and "Turn It Out," which laid the groundwork for their soul- sound. Turn It Out Remixed (2003, Velour Recordings) reimagines selections from their earlier album with electronic and hip-hop infusions by collaborators like DJ Spinna, transforming tracks such as "" into downtempo grooves for a club-oriented compilation. Spark! (2012, Royal Family Records), a collaborative EP with saxophonist , channeled energetic grooves inspired by 1970s soul-, covering classics like "Nubian Lady" alongside an original title track. Recorded over two days, the production fused Middle Eastern scales with backroom intensity, honoring guitarist Sparks through deep, smoldering s that ran over 35 minutes. More recent EPs revive the band's output: Cinematics, Vol. 1 (2018, Soulive Music Group) delivers five vignettes like "Waves" and "Bluebird," evoking cinematic soundscapes after a recording hiatus. Its sequel, Cinematics, Vol. 2 (2024, Soulive Music Group), extends the concept with tracks including "Cabriolet" and "," produced during sessions that emphasized refreshed trio dynamics. Standalone singles like "Baby Jupiter" (2025, Floki Studios) mark transitional releases, previewing fuller projects with a soulful, extended groove recorded in , underscoring Soulive's ongoing evolution toward new full-length work. "Flowers at Your Feet" (2025, featuring ), released on November 14, serves as the second single from Flowers, blending and influences from artists like and .

References

  1. https://www.bluenote.com/artist/soulive/
  2. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/soulive/
  3. https://relix.com/news/detail/soulive-unveil-first-full-length-album-since-2010-with-baby-jupiter/
  4. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-new-full-length-album-flowers/
  5. https://relix.com/news/detail/soulive-honor-sly-stone-brian-wilson-and-dangelo-with-new-single-flowers-at-your-feet/
  6. https://jambands.com/features/2002/11/24/through-the-eyes-of-soulive/
  7. https://relix.com/articles/detail/the-new-souligarchy-royal-family-records/
  8. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/soulive
  9. https://www.discogs.com/release/4062654-Soulive-Get-Down
  10. https://www.popmatters.com/soulive-get-2496077802.html
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/2656048-Soulive-Get-Down
  12. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/soulive
  13. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/soulive/1999/the-haunt-ithaca-ny-2b55004e.html
  14. https://www.jambase.com/article/happy-birthday-eric-krasno-leave-a-little-single
  15. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eric-krasno-mn0000191707
  16. https://www.last.fm/music/Eric%2BKrasno/%2Bwiki
  17. https://relix.com/articles/detail/track-by-track-eric-krasno-always/
  18. https://www.willwork4funk.com/portfolio/ae3
  19. https://www.alanevansmusic.com/about-alan
  20. https://music.newcity.com/2012/05/03/the-good-groove-chewing-the-funk-with-soulive-drummers-side-project-the-alan-evans-trio/
  21. https://www.jambands.com/features/2012/05/25/neal-evans-big-bang/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/user/RealDealRecordings
  23. https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/toussaint/about/
  24. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/toussaint-liberator-mn0001998455
  25. https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/11/24/ex-soulive-singer-toussaint-liberator-bounces-back-with-buru-style/
  26. https://jazztimes.com/archives/soulive/
  27. https://www.npr.org/2006/01/05/5131785/soulive-mixing-it-up-with-jazz-and-funk
  28. https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mWEaOFdcN3s30GuFWruGO
  29. https://jazztimes.com/artists/soulive/
  30. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/soulive-mn0000046429
  31. https://www.discogs.com/artist/12627-Soulive
  32. https://www.popmatters.com/soulive-no-place-like-soul-2496236119.html
  33. https://glidemagazine.com/16601/soulive-4/
  34. https://blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/2010/09/03/album-review-soulive-rubber-soulive/
  35. https://jambands.com/reviews/cds/2018/03/09/soulive-cinematics-vol-1/
  36. https://www.knkx.org/jazz-and-blues/2018-04-06/the-new-cool-soulive-returns-with-movies-for-your-ears
  37. https://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2025/10/soulive-releases-new-track-baby-jupiter/
  38. https://jambands.com/news/2025/11/14/soulive-honor-sly-stone-brian-wilson-and-dangelo-with-new-single-flowers-at-your-feet/
  39. https://www.dailybreeze.com/2003/09/24/soulive-performs-at-the-house-of-blues-oct-10-and-11-9-25/
  40. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/soulive-finds-new-groove-on-concord-62472/
  41. https://www.allmusic.com/album/steady-groovin-mw0000670699
  42. https://jazztimes.com/archives/soulive-no-place-like-soul/
  43. http://ukvibe.org/revibe/interviews/2010-interviews/soulive/
  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/9713331-Soulive-Live-at-the-Blue-Note-Tokyo
  45. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/album/spark-soulive
  46. https://relix.com/articles/detail/soulive_cinematic_visions/
  47. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-cinematics-vol-1/
  48. https://jambands.com/news/2024/01/26/soulive-announce-new-single-cabriolet-from-upcoming-project-cinematics-vol-2/
  49. https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/rsr525-alan-evans-why-simplicity-might-be-the-secret-to-better-records/
  50. https://veeps.com/a/96b3f18d-b24d-45d1-87ef-967f663eed87
  51. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-blue-note-jazz-festival-2023-nyc-residency/
  52. https://jambands.com/news/2025/10/20/soulive-unveil-first-full-length-album-since-2010-with-baby-jupiter/
  53. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-new-orleans-joy-theater-4-25-25/
  54. https://www.jambase.com/article/soulive-brooklyn-bowl-residency
  55. https://relix.com/news/detail/brooklyn-bowl-bowlive-story-soulive-documentary-series/
  56. https://jambands.com/news/2010/02/26/oteil-burbridge-vernon-reid-marco-benevento-dj-logic-and-shady-horns-confirmed-for-bowlive/
  57. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-bowlive-vii-06-15-17-video/
  58. https://www.jambase.com/article/soulive-bowlive-viii-ivan-neville-setlist-video
  59. https://glidemagazine.com/15506/soulive-eric-krasno-talks-bowlive-in-brooklyn/
  60. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-bowlive-2019/
  61. https://www.brooklynbowl.com/blog/detail/the-history-of-bowlive-a-docuseries
  62. https://tinyrager.com/2014/03/14/bowlive-v-night-i-soulive-feat-dj-logic-nigel-hall-the-shady-horns-eddie-roberts-adam-smirnoff-and-questlove-the-brooklyn-bowl-03-14-14/
  63. https://jambands.com/news/2017/05/12/soulive-to-play-rubber-soulive-in-full-during-bowlive-vii/
  64. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/soulive-rubber-bowlive-beatles-taz-brooklyn-bowl-07-07-22-photos-videos/
  65. https://music.apple.com/us/album/bowlive-live-at-the-brooklyn-bowl/427368398
  66. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/turn-it-out-soulive-velour-music-review-by-douglas-payne
  67. https://www.discogs.com/release/1627720-Soulive-Turn-It-Out
  68. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/doin-something-soulive-blue-note-records-review-by-michael-fortuna
  69. https://www.allmusic.com/album/doin-something-mw0000114216
  70. https://www.allmusic.com/album/next-mw0000215058
  71. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/next-soulive-blue-note-records-review-by-craig-w-hurst
  72. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/soulive-breakout-by-doug-collette
  73. https://www.allmusic.com/album/break-out-mw0000387947
  74. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/up-here-soulive-royal-family-records-review-by-doug-collette
  75. https://www.allmusic.com/album/up-here-mw0000823818
  76. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/rubber-soulive-soulive-royal-family-records-review-by-doug-collette
  77. https://www.popmatters.com/131915-soulive-rubber-soulive-2496128944.html
  78. https://jambase.com/article/soulive-baby-jupiter-single-flowers-album
  79. https://www.discogs.com/release/2371857-Soulive-Soulive
  80. https://variety.com/2003/music/reviews/soulive-maktub-1200542268/
  81. https://glidemagazine.com/14700/new-soulive-album-live-in-san-francisco/
  82. https://soulive.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-blue-note-tokyo
  83. https://www.discogs.com/release/19480228-Soulive-Get-Down-21st-Birthday-Edition
  84. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/get-down-soulive/23173367
  85. https://www.discogs.com/release/559473-Soulive-Turn-It-Out-Remixed
  86. https://www.allmusic.com/album/turn-it-out-remixed-mw0000693827
  87. https://relix.com/reviews/detail/soulive-spark/
  88. https://glidemagazine.com/21106/soulive-karl-denson/
  89. https://www.discogs.com/release/11674958-Soulive-Cinematics-Vol-1
  90. https://glidemagazine.com/200452/soulive-return-classic-form-refreshed-sound-cinematics-vol-1-ep-album-review/
  91. https://www.discogs.com/release/30844461-Soulive-Cinematics-Vol-2
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