Soulive Biography
This US quartet is a modern jazz/soul outfit, which also manages to merge elements of rap, and funky jamming into the mix. The band was formed on 2 March 1999, a date when drummer Alan Evans, Hammond B-3 organ-playing brother Neal Evans, and guitarist Eric Krasno first met up to jam. Unlike most other bands that spend a stretch of time "woodshedding,' the trio recorded their very first jam, and issued it as a mini-album, Get Down! The trio also immediately picked up a gimmick with which they soon became associated, wearing suits and ties on stage. The same year as their formation and debut release, Soulive entered the recording studio to lay down tracks for Turn It Out. The album (as well as constant touring) helped build a substantial following for the band, and they were rewarded for their efforts with a recording contract in autumn 2000 with the legendary jazz label, Blue Note Records. A year later, Soulive issued Doin" Something, which they supported with a string of sell-out dates in Japan, as well as an opening slot on the Dave Matthews Band's European tour. In 2002, Soulive, temporarily expanded to a quartet with the addition of alto saxophonist Sam Kininger, issued Next. The album was the band's first to be entirely self-produced, and featured guest appearances by the Roots' Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Amel Larrieux, and their former tour mate, Dave Matthews. Following a self-titled live album and a collection of remixes, the band switched to Concord Records and recorded the pithy Break Out (2005). Eschewing the extended jams of their earlier releases, the album featured guest slots from a wide range of soul and rock artists including Corey Glover of Living Colour, Chaka Khan, Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, and Reggie Watts. The soul connection grew more pronounced on the follow-up, No Place Like Soul, which was released through the revived Stax Records imprint. The album featured the band's newest recruit, vocalist Toussaint. Soulive has also released several live albums through their Instant Live Records outlet.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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