March 31, 2007
J Davey * Marsha (Floetry) *St. Juste @ SOB’s on April 11
You create your own destiny.…
J Davey * Marsha (Floetry) *St. Juste @ SOB’s on April 11
NeoSoulVile News
What’s happenin’ good people? Hope all is well. As for us, we’ve just been quiet tryin’ to pull thangs together behind the scenes for the spring and summer. This year, we predict, will be a breakthrough year for the worldwide soul community within the music industry and the world at-large. The soul music scene in Memphis and everywhere else in the world is growing, and we are simply asking you to come along for the ride. What does the soul scene look like? If you are receiving this e-mail, it looks just like you, and we need you to be seen in order to have a scene!
Our first show of the year will showcase Island Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele, with special guests, a few of Memphis’s very own. After that, its smooth sailing into the month of May & trust me- we have a special surprise for you! Below is a listing of our upcoming presentations as well as all other “soul” happenings in the city of Memphis and surrounding areas..We know it’s a lot to ask you to come out several times in one month, but we are hoping that the line-ups will compel you to come on out and enjoy yourself. Below is the listing of our upcoming presentations.
If you have “soulful” events that you want posted send them to neosoulville@gmail.com
Friday, March 30, 2007
Will Graves & Soul with special guests…
Friday, March 30, 2007
Cafe Soul (on the corner of Main & Mulberry)
10pm-1am
$10 Admission
Ride The Trolley For Free!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
The 23-year-old Long Islander wrote and recorded the hook for “Lost One,” the first single off of Jay-Z’s album “Kingdom Come.” Chrisette, who is finishing up her own album on Island Def Jam, was featured on the Heineken Red Star Soul tour this fall and performed onstage with Jay-Z at his Radio City Concert Hall show. She also wrote and sang hooks on Nas’ album “Hip-Hop Is Dead,” including single “Can’t Forget About You”, a nostalgic reminiscence that’s bubbling under the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. She’s in the video and has appeared with him on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBSs Late Show with David Letterman, BET, MTV, the list goes on… Album release is set for May 1.
$10 advance. $12 door.
Tickets for this event can be purchased at The Complex @ 704 Madison Ave
or
by phone at 901-692-9211.
www.neosoulville.com
www.myspace.com/neosoulville
There are a number of different music conferences going on nationally that we are supporting…
The Urban Network
March 21 – 24, 2007
Newport Beach, California
March 21st-24th – The FM Lounge, an event set up within the Urban Network Conference in Newport Beach, California. This is a great place for independent and signed artists to begin developing buzz about their projects. The FM Lounge, specifically, is a great place for ‘neo-soul,’ ‘nu-soul’, ‘progessive soul,’ ’soul,’ ‘progressive hip-hop,’ you name it, artists to get some head way. It is hosted by Thornell Jones and The Fortress marketing group. Thornell is the former Marketing Director for Hidden Beach Recordings and was responsible for, among other things, the marketing of both Jill Scott and Kindred during his time there. For more information regarding this event, click here, or call Ayanna Richardson at 850-322-8094.
April 27&28, 2007
Dallas, Texas
Hosted by Erykah Badu and Frances Jaye of the NeoSoulCafe.com – Frances Jaye has been soldiering along in the independent soul world for over five years now, establishing brand recognition via multiple mediums, including the Internet with neosoulcafe.com, a nationally syndicated cable television show, as well as terresterial radio. This is the inaugral, I Got Soul – Dallas Soul Music Conference. This is a great conference to meet other independent as well as signed artists and other industry pioneers.
July 25-29
Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted by Terry Bello, Over the last seven years, Bello has helped to promote and facilitate the careers of many emerging soul artists. Recipient of 2006 Billboard Magazine’s Music Director of the Year Award, he traverses equally between the board rooms of corporate radio and the vast world of underground music. Gordon Chambers considers him, ‘the Huey P Newton of the soul movement.’ The first annual Soul Summit which took which takes place in Atlanta last year saw people travel from all points of the United
Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted by Terry Bello, Over the last seven years, Bello has helped to promote and facilitate the careers of many emerging soul artists. Recipient of 2006 Billboard Magazine’s Music Director of the Year Award, he traverses equally between the board rooms of corporate radio and the vast world of underground music. Gordon Chambers considers him, ‘the Huey P Newton of the soul movement.’ The first annual Soul Summit which took which takes place in Atlanta last year saw people travel from all points of the United
States and Europe after only a few short weeks of promotion.
Detroit, Michigan
November 2007 – Dates To Be Announced
We are in the process of putting the finishing conceptual touches and pulling together partnerships for this year’s Urban Organic Festival. Last year our multi-venue festival even brought artists and industry professionals from all points of the U.S as well as Ontario and Quebec. This year we aim to do the same, but even bigger. Stay Tuned for Details.
March 30, 2007
Jeff Hendrick headlines at Smollensky’s on The Strand Fri March 30th!
March 29th, 2007 –
“This lovely little album threatens to be to 2006 what Will Wheaton’s ‘Old School Soul’ was to 2005. That’s to say the year’s perfect modern soul set.” – Blues & Soul
Canadian independent underground soul sensation Jeff Hendrick will be headlining at Smollensky’s on The Strand on Friday, March 30th, 2007 at 7:30 PM (105 The Strand, London). Hendrick will be joined by some of the UK’s finest musicians, and his infectious, smooth step soul is sure entertain the London audience!
Songs from Hendrick’s internationally acclaimed sophomore album ‘Soul Celebration’ have topped several International R&B/Soul charts, and the 8,000+ selling independent CD has received rave reviews in major European music publications, including a recent feature in the UK’s Blues and Soul magazine.
Hendrick enters his 8th month on the US Urban AC charts, hitting number 43 for the week ending January 7th, 2007. Highly endorsed by syndicated ABC radio host Michael Baisden, Hendrick’s smooth, stepping soul has been praised from LA to Miami and caught the attention of Billboard magazine. The album is also an underground soul hit in Japan. Hendrick has a busy 2007 schedule in the US and Europe, and will be releasing his third album worldwide in late spring 2007
Bout Time Productions
e-mail: info@jeffhendrick.com
Ph: (403) 390-7808
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/jeffhendrick
Official: http://www.jeffhendrick.com
CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jeffhendrick
EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/JeffHendrickSoul
MIHE & Imperial/EMI present: The Official Listening of Anthony Hamlton’s "Southern Comfort"!!!
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Make It Happen Entertainment & Imperial Records/EMI Present:
THE OFFICIAL LISTENING FOR ANTHONY HAMILTON’S “SOUTHERN COMFORT”!!!!
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This Sunday, April 1st, join Make It Happen Entertainment & Imperial Records/EMI Music for the Indie Soul Brunch featuring the official listening of Anthony Hamilton’s “Southern Comfort” (dropping Tuesday, April 3rd)! Come be among the first people to here the cd before it hits the stores while you partake in a 3 course brunch with your choice of unlimited Mimosas or Bloody Marys! Free goodies provided by Imperial Records/EMI Music! All taking place at: SIP Lounge Sunday, April 1st For more info, e-mail mihetv@onebox.com |
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MAKE IT HAPPEN ENTERTAINMENT
email: mihetv@onebox.com
phone: 866 841-9139 ext.4163
web: http://www.mihe.tv
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Tim Dillinger Newsletter
Hello all!
I hope that this week finds you all well…The air conditioner has been turned on because it already feels like summer here in Nashville! It is so wonderful to finally see the sun again…!!!
It’s been a hectic week. The word on “Out the Box” seems to spread like wildfire. The live chats grow every week…and we’ve got another station that will be carrying the show. It’s so exciting to be able to see a demand for my format and vision for the show.
This Sunday on www.jazzsyndicate.co.uk, I will be joined by gospel legend Karen Clark-Sheard and author LM Ross. I promise you that you do not want to miss EITHER interview…Karen and I will be talking about the new Clark Sisters release (“Live: One Last Time”) and author LM Ross and I will be discussing his new book, “Manhood: The Longest Moan” (which I highly, highly recommend) as well as the greats of soul music…My friends from SOBO Magazine will also be joining me to talk about the upcoming “Soul Sister” edition of their publication. Tune in at 8 AM or 6 PM CST and join me for live chat during the broadcast at www.timdillinger.com/forum (Register early so you’ll be ready to go when the chat starts, okay?)
On Sunday, April 8h, we will be airing a special edition of “Out the Box” to honor the 10th anniversary of the passing of singer/songwriter Laura Nyro. Michele Kort, author of Laura’s biography “Soul Picnic”, will be co-hosting the show with me. It will be two hours of nothing but Laura’s music. Sarah Dash of Labelle and others will be joining me in the forum for live chat to talk about one of the greatest songwriters of past century.
Starting on Saturday, April 7th at 9 AM EST, a 60 minute edition of “Out the Box” will begin airing on Rhythmflow.net. Our first edition on Rhythmflow will be the legendary Tramaine Hawkins, discussing her career and scorching hot new release “I Never Lost My Praise” (which I have not stopped playing since I got it 4 weeks ago…) Be sure to spread the word!!! We are excited about this new partnership with Rhythmflow.
And finally, I can talk about MY music!! Thanks to all of you who have been spreading the word about “You’re Gone”, the latest single from “The Muse”…Again, the response has been incredible…so continue to email or call your radio station of choice (land or internet stations) and request it…It really does help! If the station doesn’t have the single, they contact us and ask for it…so THANK YOU for the doors that YOU help open! It’s been kind of trippy to log onto various pages on myspace and hear the song playing back at me!
Next week, we will finally be announcing summer and fall performance dates. I’ve spent so much time in the lab producing these shows and interviewing other artists, the thought of getting on a stage again is exhilerating!!!
I can’t tell you how much your love and support means to me…
Be sure to visit www.myspace.com/timdillinger and download the past episodes of “Out the Box” on iTUNES for FREE! (Just look up Tim Dillinger and “Out the Box with Tim Dillinger” will appear…
Til The Six Is Nine-
Tim
DENIECE WILLIAMS Love, Niecy Style
DENIECE WILLIAMS Love, Niecy Style (Shanachie, April 24th)
Audio Links:
“This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” http://link7.streamhoster.com/?u=elemental&p=%2Fthistimeillbesweeter.wma&odaid=4873
“Love’s Holiday” http://link7.streamhoster.com/?u=elemental&p=%2Flovesholiday.wma&odaid=4873
artwork: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9240/deniecewilliamsloveniecdh0.jpg
Multi Grammy-Award Winning & Platinum Selling R&B Singer Deniece Williams Makes Major Return to R&B After A Decade with Shanachie Debut Love, Niecy Style
The Legendary Vocalist Reunites on Record with Some of the Artists Who Have Been Instrumental in Her Career –
Stevie Wonder, George Duke and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey!!!
Deniece Williams will forever be one of the great all-time R&B divas. Processing an infectious, angelic and soulful honey -coated voice with an awe-inspiring range, Deniece Williams set the bar high for R&B singers back in the 70s and to this day her influence can be heard on everyone from Mariah Carey to Beyoncé. Her songs have been sampled by dozens of artists including Will Smith and Master P. Deniece’s pure, rich and spine-tingling vocal quality, along with her impeccable diction and ability to honestly connect with any song has resulted in a vast catalog of hits. Some of her timeless anthems include “Silly,” “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” (her No. 1 pop and R&B duet with Johnny Mathis), “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” (the million-selling pop/soul chart-topper from the movie Footloose), “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle,” “Free” (from her gold-certified This Is Niecy album) and “Black Butterfly.” In recent years the chanteuse has primarily been recording gospel records but on April 24, 2007 Shanachie Entertainment will release Deniece Williams’ highly anticipated return to R&B Love, Niecy Style produced by renowned Philly soul producer Bobby Eli. Deniece’s label debut will mark her first major return to R&B in over a decade. For this momentous occasion Deniece called upon some of the artists who have been instrumental throughout her career: Stevie Wonder, George Duke and Philip Bailey.
In 1978, Deniece Williams’ sophomore album Songbird was released, coming two years after the classic “Free” (from her gold-certified This Is Niecy album) propelled her into international fame and success. The title was a perfect description of the soulful vocal beauty associated with this legendary singer/songwriter and it is as appropriate now as it was back then. Indeed, a songbird with a dynamic range, a distinctive sound and a true gift for lyrical interpretation, Deniece has long enjoyed a place in the hearts of music buyers who embraced her through a rich legacy of close to thirty charted singles and a dozen best-selling albums. Her career also includes four Grammy wins and an extensive list of credits including sixteen Grammy nominations, three Stellar Awards, an American Music Award and an Oscar nomination.
As Deniece reflects “I wasn’t really thinking about making a new record until a mutual friend put me in touch with Bobby, who I knew from the recording sessions I did with Thom Bell in the early ’80s which included songs like “Silly” and “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle.” Bobby talked to me about the idea of doing a project of songs that I’ve always loved. I thought it was a great way to honor artists like Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway and Gwen Guthrie and what their music has meant to me. When people listen to this project, I hope it will take them back down memory lane as well as create new memories for those who may not be familiar with all the songs on the album.”
Within weeks of agreeing to Love, Niecey Style, Bobby Eli (whose extensive production credits include such favorites as Sister Sledge, Atlantic Starr, Major Harris, Blue Magic and Engelbert Humperdink and whose discography includes countless Philly soul sessions as a star guitarist with Billy Paul, The Spinners, Wilson Pickett, The Salsoul Orchestra, The O’Jays, MFSB, The Temptations and Elton John) and Deniece had begun selecting songs for it. “There were so many songs I had been carrying around forever, humming them, singing them and never thinking I would be recording them!” she declares. “By the time we finished, I felt we had done what we set out to do.” For Eli, working with Deniece was “a pure pleasure. She’s a producer’s dream, a very special artist and someone I always wanted to work with from being on the Thom Bell sessions with her.”
Love, Niecey Style is particularly special, given the presence of three distinguished music men who have played an integral role in Deniece’s career at different times: icon Stevie Wonder (with whom Deniece got her first gig as a member of his touring backup vocal group Wonderlove in 1972); super producer, songwriter and artist in his own right, George Duke (who produced 1984’s Grammy-winning “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”); and renowned vocalist Philip Bailey, of Earth, Wind & Fire, with whom Deniece was associated by virtue of working with EW&F’s Maurice White and Kalimba Productions from 1976 to 1982.
In addition, what distinguishes Niecy’s new CD from other albums of R&B ‘cover’ tunes is the range of her choices, starting with the 1963 Baby Washington chestnut “That’s How Heartaches Are Made” through to Donny Hathaway’s eternal “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and on to Luther Vandross’ first solo 1981 smash, “Never Too Much.” For good measure, Deniece re-recorded her own “Cause You Love Me Baby,” a staple in her repertoire since the track was included in her 1976 Columbia debut album as well as cutting a brand new song, “The Only Thing I’m Missing Is You,” a prime romantic mood-setting, sensuous cut which showcases the songbird sounding better than ever!
The basic tracks on Love, Niecey Style were cut by producer Eli in Philadelphia; an all-star cast of West Coast musicians including saxman Everette Harp, bass player extraordinaire Freddie Washington and Tower Of Power trumpeter Greg Adams then added their musical skills to the album. Says Deniece, “It was an extraordinary experience to make music with such gifted musicians…words could never truly express how special it made me feel being in the studio again with Stevie, George, Philip, Greg, Freddie and Everette. Truly, I was surrounded by friends and loved ones.”
The spirit of love and celebration is displayed throughout Love, Niecey Style. Speaking about her choices for the album, Deniece explains, “I’d been wanting to record “That’s How Heartaches Are Made” for years. I was thirteen when I first heard Baby Washington sing this song. It touched my heart because at the time, I was in love with this boy but he didn’t love me the same way! When we started recording the song, I could hear Stevie (Wonder) playing harmonica on it. ‘Can you come down?’ I asked and he was gracious enough to play on the track. It turned out beautifully. Then, “Love’s Holiday” has always been one of my favorite EW&F songs.
It was also written by Skip Scarborough, who I feel was one of the best songwriters of our generation. Then having my dearest friend Philip Bailey sing on it…it doesn’t get any better than that!”
The standout ballad “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” (previously cut by both Angela Bofill and Roberta Flack, one of the many artists whose recordings – including Minnie Riperton and Esther Phillips – benefited from Deniece’s work as a session singer in the ’70s) is a tribute to a longtime friend: “The song was written by the late Gwen Guthrie who we lost to breast cancer. Gwen used to sing with me, Lani Groves and Patti Austin – we were in the same circle of background singers when I lived in New York and I remember when she wrote the song. I always wanted to do it and it’s my way of honoring Gwen.”
Deniece says the two most challenging tunes were her reading of Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free” (which features Greg Adams) and one of the only covers ever done of Luther’s “Never Too Much.” The vocalist shares, “I told Bobby (Eli) and Executive Producer Danny Weiss that I wanted to do Donny’s song. After I listened to his rendition again, I just broke down and cried. I thought, ‘do I have the audacity to do this song?’ I called the record company and told them I’d made a mistake. They said, ‘are you crazy? No…you gotta do the song!’ It has a beautiful message of encouragement so I’m glad I did it. As for the Luther song, well, he was a friend and certainly one of the best vocalists of our time. I had no idea how hard a song “Never Too Much” was to sing – you can hardly sing and breathe on it. I tell people, when I get to heaven, I’m going to tell Luther how hard it was to do!”
Keeping with contemporary classics of the ’80s, Deniece chose Kool & The Gang’s “Cherish” about which she says, “real love only happens on a few occasions and when we have it, we shouldn’t take it for granted”; and George Benson’s 1983 hit, “Love Me (One More Time)” which she declares is her favorite Benson song, given “something really special by George (Duke) who played on the track.” Rounding out this stellar collection are her own “Cause You Love Me Baby” and “If You Really Love Me,” another nod to Stevie Wonder. “I sang this song so much as background for Stevie that at one time, I was singing it in my sleep! I was very apprehensive about doing this song because he was and still is my mentor and I wanted to please him. I think I’ve made him proud.” The choice for Deniece Williams to revisit one of her own classic tunes “Cause You Love Me Baby” was easy: “I’ve been very blessed as a songwriter and publisher to have so much of my music sampled. I was going to re-do “Free” but then I thought it would be good to do something up-tempo because it’s been sampled by so many other artists…and being the romantic I am, it seemed perfect for this project.”
Since the mid-’80s, Deniece has been busier than ever, recording a children’s CD, Lullabies To Dreamland, appearing in the London cast of the pioneering musical “Mama I Want To Sing,” producing and hosting her own radio program, “The Deniece Williams Show” for BBC Radio for almost ten years. Purposely devoting much of her time to raising her four sons, Deniece says she made a conscious choice to limit her touring activities: “I’ve been doing maybe ten concerts a year and in recent years, I’ve really got into writing theater pieces and developing film scripts with my older sons. I felt it was time to test myself in other creative ways. Now with my children grown, it’s time for mom to be out there again! I chose to stay at home and did only 10% of what I could have done. Vocally, I think I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and it’s time to get out there and do it. I’ve been blessed with a fantastic audience and I’m always humbled by that. My audience reminds me that this is what I’m supposed to be doing!”
www.myspace.com/deniecewilliams
March 29, 2007
VIBEZ – by Sean Rasul
Greetings,
I hope this message reaches you in great health and spirits. I’m still
working hard, accomplishing goals slowly but surely. Just wanted to invite
you to view my official blog, “VIBEZ – by Sean Rasul.” I plan to post
something new and inspiring daily. We’ll see how it goes. The link is
www.seanrasul.blogspot.com.
Shoot me an e-mail and let me know how you’ve been. Much respect and many
blessings.
Sean Rasul
www.countrycoolonline.com
www.myspace.com/seanrasul
www.seanrasul.blogspot.com
“Soul comes from within…”
LaSonya Video
Hey PEOPLE!
I have just completed my Brand new Video TEARS.
The song will be featured on my new upcoming CD CRAZYBEAUTIFUL.
please go check it out
www.lasonyagunter.com
Enjoy and please share my music with whom ever you think would like it
God Bless
La Sonya
Indie Soul Performances
Please support fellow Indie talent….
Maya Azucena & Angela Johnson
March 29 @8pm
SOB’s NYC
Special Guests: DJ Spinna & Myoshi
Heather Park
March 30 @8pm
Crash Mansion
Karen Bernod
March 31@ 7:30pm
Joe’s Pub
Anthony David
April 9 @ 8 & 10:30pm
The Blue Note
Dexter Myers
April 20 @ 8pm
Billie’s Black NYC
Marcell & The Truth
April 28 @7pm
Brooklyn Lyceum
Brown Baby Girl
April 1 @1pm Billie’s Black
April 28 @9pm Knitting Factory
P.S. Get your May gig dates to either Dexter Myers [dextermyers@gmail.com]or mike@lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk ASAP so I can publish them in the next mailing. Thanks!
–
Dexter Myers
www.cleverstrategies.com
March 26, 2007
Indie Soul Party 2007 and some gigs
Hello IndieSoulsters,
Sincere thanks for coming out on Friday and making the Annual Indie Soul Mixer a very amazing event. It is a truly remarkable experience to have so many talented individuals under one roof. Mike and I plan to keep the momentum and make each event even better! We will also start sending out a monthly newsletter so PLEASE share your gig info and other news with us so we can share it with the world… Thanks again and All the best to everyone!!!!
Some Upcoming Shows that you don’t want to miss….
Maya Azucena & Angela Johnson
March 29 @8pm
SOB’s NYC
Special Guests: DJ Spinna & Myoshi
Karen Bernod
March 31@ 7:30pm
Joe’s Pub
Anthony David
April 9 @ 8 & 10:30pm
The Blue Note
Dexter Myers
April 20 @ 8pm
Billie’s Black NYC
–
Dexter Myers
www.cleverstrategies.com
Integrated Marketing & Public Relations
(718) 805-7758
(917) 691-5168
