Soulive

Soulive's groovy gumbo of jazz, funk and soul is so steeped in musical history, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a '70s warhorse still working the live circuit cuz it got screwed by record execs back in the day. In the 21st century, though, Soulive -- along with bands such as Medeski, Martin & Wood and Greyboy Allstars -- can take its extended fusion workouts to the lucrative jam-band market. On this live disc, Soulive's core trio of Alan and Neal Evans (drums, and Hammond B3 and clavinet, respectively) and Eric Krasno (guitar) play tight and loose, combining chops and soul with a zesty prowess. The group fluidly seesaws between jazz and funk like a philanderer bouncing between two equally desirable lovers. Still, there's something faceless and workmanlike about Soulive's music; it's the default-position sound of countless parties, as ubiquitous as soul patches, berets and ponytails at a House of Blues gig.