What makes Soulive by Soulive notable?

Soulive received critical acclaim, solidifying their reputation within the jazz community and beyond. The album's fusion of jazz with funk elements influenced a wave of contemporary jam bands and helped to revive interest in instrumental music during the early 2000s. Released in 2003, Soulive marked the band's third studio album, following their breakthrough release, Turn It Out. At this stage, they had established themselves as prominent figures in the instrumental funk-jazz scene, known for their energetic live performances and collaborations with various artists.

Soulive works well if you're into groove-heavy late-night sessions, patient builds leading to climax and intricate instrumental interplay.

How many songs are on Soulive?

Soulive has 9 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

Soulive

Soulive · 2003

69 min · 9 tracks · jazz

Funky grooves intertwine with soulful improvisations, crafting a vibrant tapestry of jazz-infused rhythms and rich melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Aladdin — Opening the album, Aladdin sets the tone with its infectious rhythm and intricate guitar work, showcasing the band’s tight ensemble playing.
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Dig — Dig features an extended improvisational section that highlights the band’s ability to weave complex musical conversations while maintaining a danceable groove.
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One in Seven — This track stands out for its dynamic structure, seamlessly transitioning between mellow sections and explosive solos that exemplify Soulive's innovative approach to jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Soulive combines intricate grooves and improvisation, showcasing their distinctive sound within the funk-jazz genre.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate solos and dynamic interplay.
The instrumentation primarily includes guitar, organ, and drums, with the organ frequently taking the lead in melodic lines while the guitar complements with rhythmic accents.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

groove-heavy late-night sessions
patient builds leading to climax
intricate instrumental interplay
vibrant energy for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2003, Soulive marked the band's third studio album, following their breakthrough release, Turn It Out. At this stage, they had established themselves as prominent figures in the instrumental funk-jazz scene, known for their energetic live performances and collaborations with various artists.
Stylistic neighbors: The New Mastersounds· Snarky Puppy· Medeski Martin & Wood

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Aladdin 5:50
2 El Ron 6:00
3 Solid 6:15
4 First Street 6:42
5 Shaheed 7:48
6 Dig 7:57
7 One in Seven 9:30
8 Lenny 6:40
9 Turn It Out 12:52

What to play next

Listen next

Break Out

2005

Go back to

Turn It Out Remixed

2003

Full Soulive discography Artists like Soulive

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata