Soulive Doin' Something CD

On paper -- and on-stage -- a grooving jazz trio with a guitarist, drummer, and Hammond organist who hammers bass notes with his feet and left hand sounds like a great idea. Indeed, Soulive (keyboardist Neal Evans, guitarist Eric Krasno, and drummer Alan Evans) is one of the fledgling rising stars on the jam band circuit, covering great tunes like Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America," the Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing," and War's "The World Is a Ghetto." But great live bands have been trying to figure out the formula to translate their concert performances into the recording studio for decades, and Soulive's 2001 CD, Doin' Something, comes up short. The trio employs guests musicians à la another jazz-meets-funk trio, Medeski, Martin & Wood, but early tracks like "Hurry Up...and Wait," "Evidence," and "One in Seven" have an un-funky sameness. Funk trombone legend Fred Wesley ensures that the title track, "Bridge o 'Bama," and "Joe Sample" fare better, but vocalist Stephanie McKay's inclusion on eight of the 11 cuts seems like a stab at commercial smooth jazz. The Evans brothers and Krasno are all talented players, with collective influences including Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, and Grant Green. Yet all come across as trying to play it safe on Doin' Something, in stark contrast to some of their unbridled live sets. Krasno is the primary composer, yet should take a page out of the songbook of another of his influences, John Scofield. About halfway into Doin' Something, you know exactly what to expect -- something Scofield has become a legend by avoiding. ~ Bill Meredith

Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, New York from October 10-13, 2000. Includes liner notes by Eli Wolf.

Producers: Soulive, Bob Brockman, Yaron Fuchs.

Personnel: Stephanie McKay (vocals); Sam Kininger (alto saxophone); Jacques Schwarz-Bart (tenor saxophone); Jeremy Pelt (trumpet); Fred Wesley (trombone); Neal Evans (piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ); Eric Krasno, Alan Evans (drums).

Audio Mixers: Soulive; Yaron Fuchs; Bob Brockman.

Liner Note Author: Eli Wolf.

Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY (10/10/2000-10/13/2000).

Photographer: Andrew MacNaughtan.

Soulive: Neal Evans (acoustic & Wurlitzer electric pianos, Hammond B-3 organ); Eric Krasno (guitar); Alan Evans (drums).

Additional personnel: Stephanie McKay (vocals); Sam Kininger (alto saxophone); Jacques Schwarz-Bart (tenor saxophone); Jeremy Pelt (trumpet); Fred Wesley (trombone).

Entertainment Weekly (4/6/01, p.121) - "...A righteous soul machine...Neal Evans' warm B3 organ, brother Alan;s flesh-and-blood drumming, and Eric Krasno's rhythm-driven guitar mesh mightily..." - Rating: B
CMJ (3/12/01, p.25) - "...A set of all original tunes that sound sharp....thoughtful and sophisticated..."