Soulive, the trio of drummer Alan Evans, guitarist Eric Krasno, and keyboardist Neal Evans, is back with their first album in six years, and their easing their way back with a little bit of mood music. Cinematics Vol. 1 is quick five-song EP described as a “series of soundtracks for the movies of your mind”. This is most certainly the fact, making a soulful, not to flashy jam with a sweeping feel that certainly should be supporting a good many dramatic moments.
The music has a kind of quality to it where it rewards attention but could easily be the background where other things in life can come to the fore. It feels like a groove-centric dipping of a toe in the water that moves into a two-step that transforms into the Cha-Cha Slide. It’s good to have them back.
Cinematics Vol. I, the new EP from Soulive, is out now.