Having recently joined renowned Memphis soul label Stax Records, Soulive is poised to assert its position as one of the preeminent soul/funk groups in music today. No Place Like Soul, the band's Stax debut, is set for release July 31 and marks the inaugural release by one of the label's trio of newly signed artists, which also includes Angie Stone and Isaac Hayes. Soulive recently performed alongside Stax legends Hayes, Booker T. & the MG's and Mavis Staples for the label's 50th Anniversary celebration in Memphis and will embark on a national fall tour to support the new record. Soulive's production arm, The Fyre Dept. has also remained busy, producing tracks for the new 50 Cent record, the new release by Talib Kweli (featuring Justin Timberlake), as well as the new Xhibit and Redman albums.
With the new addition of Toussaint, a vocalist who has spent the past several years touring with his reggae outfit The China Band, No Place Like Soul is the first Soulive album with a full-time vocalist. Expanding upon the beat-driven instrumentals of 2005's Break Out, No Place Like Soul combines Toussaint's vocals with rich soul grooves that call to mind the band's legendary Stax predecessors. No Place Like Soul features 13 new tracks and is produced by Stewart Lerman who has worked with such disparate talents as Loudon Wainwright III, Dar Williams and Vinicius Cantuaria.
Based in New York, Soulive is comprised of brothers Alan (drums) and Neal Evans (Hammond B-3 organ), as well as Eric Krasno (guitar) and Toussaint (vocals). The band has toured with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, John Mayer and Common and recorded with acclaimed artists such as Talib Kweli, Robert Randolph and Chaka Khan.
Soulive's full-length debut Turn It Out was released in 2000 to such critical acclaim that the band was promptly signed to Blue Note Records, who released 2001's Doin' Something. Blue Note then released 2002's Next, which featured collaborations with Black Thought, Talib Kweli and Dave Matthews. On 2005's Break Out, Soulive's first album on Concord Records, the band worked with Chaka Khan, Ivan Neville and Robert Randolph. The album further broadened Soulive's fan base, relating to both new school hip-hop heads and to those who grew up on Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly & The Family Stone and Curtis Mayfield.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Stax Records-home to many of soul music's most enduring recordings-Concord Music Group is relaunching the famed soul label. Releasing hit after hit from Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MG's, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave and The Staple Singers, among others, Stax Records pushed soul music to new heights. In a year of activity that will include deluxe reissues, special events and a slate of new signings, the relaunching of Stax will not only pay tribute to the label's past glories but also solidify its future. Soulive's No Place Like Soul is ample proof that the Stax legacy is as vital as ever.
Soulive Tour
§ with Citizen Cope
May 27 UCLA Jazz/Reggae Festival Los Angeles, CA
May 28§ Showbox Theater Seattle, WA
May 31§ The Grand San Francisco, CA
June 1 Brown's Island Richmond, VA
June 2 Vintage Virginia Wine Festival Centreville, VA
July 1 High Life Festival Toronto, ONT
July 2 Festival Int'l de Jazz de Montreal Montreal, QUE
July 5 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy, CA
July 6 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy, CA
July 15 All Good Music Festival Masontown, WV
July 22 Big City Summer Fest Rochester, NY
August 2 Double Door Chicago, IL
August 3 Lollapalooza 2007 Chicago, IL
August 4 Liberate Music Festival Bondville, VT
August 9 Power Plant Live! Baltimore, MD
August 22 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN
August 23 Roxy Theatre Atlanta, GA
August 24 Visulite Theatre Charlotte, NC
August 25 Arnold Farms Eastover, SC
August 26 Orange Peel Asheville, NC
August 30 The Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
August 31 Mangy Moose Jackson, WY
September 3 Bumbershoot Festival Seattle, WA
September 5 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
September 7 Canes San Diego, CA
September 14 Nokia Theatre New York, NY
September 15 Nokia Theatre New York, NY
