Up Here by Soulive - Freestyle Records [FSRCD069] FLAC download included with physical items

Up Here

Soulive

A 9 track acid jazz album (40m 5s) — released November 23rd 2009 on Freestyle Records

#jazz #acid-jazz
"Deeply funky and gritty album from the long established and highly acclaimed superstars of the US jam band scene" 2009 marks Soulive's 10th Anniversary and over the past 10 years, Soulive have covered a lot of ground musically and literally. Not many bands can say they have recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield. Nor can many bands open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next tour, and who else has recorded for legendary labels such as Blue Note, Concorde AND Stax Records? Pedigree indeed! Of this brand new album founding member, drummer Alan Evans says "This is the Soulive album I've always wanted to record. It's what I've been hearing in my head for years, like when people say "if I could go back in time knowing what I know now" Well, that's what we did with Up Here. The session had the vibe and energy of Get Down but with all of our experiences from the past 10 years put down on tape in a very meaningful way" The record's opening track "Upright" immediately sets the tone with a completely infectious hook featuring keyboard maestro Neal Evans on an old upright piano. There are some nods to the "old-school" on the record. "For Granted" is a tip of the hat to Grant Green, and Eric plays licks reminiscent of his early solos on Get Down and Turn It Out. Guest vocalist Nigel Hall tears it up on "Too Much" (also released as a killer Freestyle funk 45 FSR7059) while Eric's guitar sings like D'Angelo on the laid-back grind of "Put on Yo Pajamas" (P J's) The entire record features tight horn arrangements from long-time Soulive collaborators and friends, Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis otherwise know as The Shady Horns No matter how you listen to Up Here, it sounds like you're listening to vintage vinyl. One of the most difficult things about making a record with a great live band is capturing all that live energy while still making the record that's about songs. Up Here does as good a job as any record could in accomplishing this. "Straight up", says Alan, "this is the first Soulive album that I can say every tune on it is my favorites on the album".

An amazing, funky gritty, jazzy sound that sounds as though it was recorded years ago, and is full of energy! - Paul Miller BBC Three Counties radio

Wow! What is goin'on in the Freeestyle Valley?A 100% diamond! - Savvas Hantzaridis SPRAWL ZONE RADIO SHOW

Tight as a duck's ass bluesy funk, with some serious floor fillers... and very nice cover of Outkast's "Prototype" - Roger Cowell THE JOINT SESSIONS

Brillant Urban-Funk album!!! - Simone Vimercati Jazz It Up Radio

How to came back to the good times of 'Get Down!' and 'Turn It Ou't but with the experience of those first ten years. 'Up Here' is a great way to celebrate an impressive anniversary. - Santiago Tadeo Cervera www.acidjazzhispano.com

From the get go, the sound is strutting, stomping mix of Memphis soul, JBs style horn workouts, hammond pounding flair and slick jazz stylings. Invigoratingly uptempo, and passionate throughout, Up Here's fierce swagger is hard to resist! - Siobhan Murphy Metro Life

'Will have longtime fans nodding their heads to the familiar groove and tight improv that Soulive does so well. - Patrick Varine

WOW! They have grown and evolved into something HUGE - Michael Stukes Mystic Vybes Radio Show

Damn good quality lp!! - Simon Harrison Basic Soul radio show

Timeless and fresh but not ready chewed sound of the 21st century - DJ Bunuel Radio Helsinki

Funky as hell! - DJ FUNKAHOLIC "this is FUNKAHOLIC!"

"Up Here" announces itself as the tight, furious Soulive record fans have been waiting for. - Matt Pais Metromix

As great as their Blue Note albums were, Up Here puts them to shame! - John Book Okayplayer

'Simultaneously traditional and perfectly contemporary' - Doug Collette All About Jazz

  • Kudos happily ship all items worldwide.
  • Shipping costs and delivery times are available here.
  • UK items are sent tracked as standard at no extra cost.
  • We aim to dispatch orders placed before 2pm on the same day.
  • We are unable to ship orders on weekends or Bank Holidays.
  • If you purchase a pre-order item amongst an order of in-stock releases, we will typically hold your order until all items are in ready to send.
  • Although we use all reasonable means to ensure that your order is delivered within a specified time, we cannot accept any responsibility for late deliveries due to circumstances outside of our control. We will do our best to inform you of any unexpected delay.