Alan Evans Trio returned on Friday with a new album, Elephant Head. The eight-track offering marks the Soulive drummer’s first release with his eponymous trio since 2019’s The Wild Root.
Alongside co-conspirators Danny Mayer (Star Kitchen, Eric Krasno Band) on guitar and Kris Yunker on organ, Evans delivers a fresh crop of high-energy instrumental music. The compositions bridge the gap between jazz and funk with a bit of psychedelia thrown in for good measure on tracks like “Book It”. Evans helms the ship throughout Elephant Head, as his drumming prowess creates an environment that allows Mayer and Yunker to embark on their own musical pursuits. In the end, however, it all comes back to the one.
A description of the album on Evans’ website notes that Elephant Head “evokes a classic movie soundtrack.” For the title track, AE3 takes on a spaghetti western-meets-The Monkees‘ Head sound, progressing the narrative forward. The vintage soundscapes of Evans’ influences make landfall in the ever-expanding live music setting that the drummer finds himself in for his wide variety of projects. From acid jazz to 21st-century funk, Elephant Head is a musical journey across styles as the album’s plot is wordlessly moved along by the trio.
Stream the new Alan Evans Trio album Elephant Head via the player below. Limited vinyl copies are available through his website. Soulive will return to Brooklyn Bowl for another Bowlive residency December 29th–31st, featuring special guest George Porter Jr. on the 29th. For tickets and more information click here.
Alan Evans Trio – Elephant Head