oulive and friends were in a festive mood on Wednesday night, and not just for the obvious reasons. Booked at the Music Hall of Williamsburg for a two-night New Years Eve celebration, the band was also closing out its 10th anniversary, and showcasing acts from the roster of its new label, Royal Family Records. On top of all that there came an announcement from Soulives drummer, Alan Evans: In March the group will be in residence for two weeks at Brooklyn Bowl, with guests every night. (More information about that run, naturally being billed as Bowlive, is at brooklynbowl.com.)
Collegiality and jubilation have long been top priorities for Soulive, an old-fangled trio consisting of Mr. Evans; his brother, Neal Evans, on Hammond B-3 organ; and Eric Krasno on guitar. Over the years the band has expanded and contracted, but its core has been consistent, and so has its foundation in soul jazz, crisp funk and greasy organ-trio groove. (Its apt that the group has released albums both on Blue Note, the former home of Grant Green and Jimmy Smith, and Stax, which gave us Booker T. and the MGs.)
Collegiality and jubilation have long been top priorities for Soulive, an old-fangled trio consisting of Mr. Evans; his brother, Neal Evans, on Hammond B-3 organ; and Eric Krasno on guitar. Over the years the band has expanded and contracted, but its core has been consistent, and so has its foundation in soul jazz, crisp funk and greasy organ-trio groove. (Its apt that the group has released albums both on Blue Note, the former home of Grant Green and Jimmy Smith, and Stax, which gave us Booker T. and the MGs.)
