DJ VIZ Nominated for the BIG DJ 2008

Neo Soul Cafe's DJ Viz has been nominated for Dallas Quick's Big Think Big DJ 2008 award. Check out his myspace page and request his mixtapes Brown Sugar & American Gangstar starring DJ Viz aka Coalhouse Walker

www.myspace.com/djvizateem

Soulcommune

Fantastic new site to hit the web. Growing by leaps and bounds, just had a Marvin Gaye feature that was CRAZY. Everybody that's into good music in on this site and supporting the mysterious Donald. Great features, event updates, friends and a group for each major city in USA and UK. Check it out when you have time and invite a friend: www.soulcommune.com


Here's the 1st newsletter.

Greetings Soul Communers,

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for being a part of the Soul Commune experience!

The idea to create SoulCommune.com stems from a conversation I had with my friend who is an indie soul artist promoter and advocate. He brought to my attention the tremendous challenges faced by the many talented artists and promoters alike of this genre. I was surprised that such great artistry was being overlooked, and we both found it unacceptable that fans of soul music and, particularly, the immensely talented artists of this genre continue to find it difficult to connect and make progress in today's "music industry." SoulCommune.com can be an impetus for the change and balance that needs to take place to allow this genre, in its many dimensions, to be properly recognized and continue to thrive as the unique and viable art form that it is!

I am still learning who many of you are, and I feel that SoulCommune.com is a great way for artists and supporters to become more familiar with one another. Many of you know me as the face and website administrator of SoulCommune.com, however there are others working diligently to help me put this together, and of course, most importantly – there is YOU! It is your drive, creativity, talent, and passion that are the "main ingredient" that has made this a truly unique experience!

One of the goals of SoulCommune.com is to create the kind of synergies that can help further the cause of "real" music both artistically and financially. By pooling our resources, we can continue to bring together members from across the many different subsets of the soul music world – from classic Soul, Hip-hop, House, Funk, Go-Go, Neo-Soul, underground to mainstream R&B and other variations of musical expression. We are here to counteract the current trends that challenge the very existence of this most important and diverse genre!

Soul Commune.com will be the place where fans, artists, publishers, radio programmers, promoters, etc. can commune without the creative constraints of the current music industry status quo.

We here at SoulCommune.com are moving forward with many ideas to humbly serve the Soul Community. In the near future look for the following:

1) Cyber Store – (Coming Soon!) Online Listening Parties – Upcoming events include Angela Johnson (Purpose Records), Alison Crockett (Crockett Gallery's), Paul Randolph (StillMusic), Water Seed (Water Seed Music Group), and other indie artists.
2) REMIX Projects – Starting with Motown Recording Artist, Kem. NOTE: During this sponsored event members who are producers will have the opportunity to submit remixed tracks to be considered for inclusion on Kem's forthcoming Remix release on Universal/Motown slated for later this year. Stay tuned for Details!
3) Conversations/Online Chats – Members will get a unique chance to dialogue one-on-one with established artists, including recording artist, Kem, music producer, Mike Chav (Erykah Badu's latest release), and other industry experts.
4) Soul Commune TV/Radio – Exclusive live webcasts of concerts, performances, and other unique events (featuring established artists and also showcasing the multitude of emerging talent from within our commune).
5) Tour Updates & Show Reviews – Soul Commune Ambassadors will give us the “low down” on upcoming concert tours and events from around the globe and in your city!
6) Artist News & Music Reviews – We will keep you informed on the latest releases from indie artist that you should definitely know about!

And much, much more!

Your feedback is welcomed and is absolutely essential to enhancing the experience for everyone - so keep it coming! We ask that you continue to hang out with us as SoulCommune.com continues to flourish and as we move forward to build and expand our universe!

Many thanks to ALL of you who, over the last month, have helped spread the word about SoulCommune.com Our gratitude goes out to some of those who have reached out to us and been very helpful and/or are members of the Commune, including:

Mint Condition, Kem, Toya Hankins, Erykah Badu, Phil Perry, Paul Randolph, SoulChoonz, Switzerland Soul, Frances Jaye and Velisa Crayton of I Got Soul and Neosoulcafe.com, UK Soul, Butta of SoulBounce, Chris Rizek of Soultracks.com,Nu-Soul Mag, Drake of Urban-Organic.net, Ty, Traci Latrelle of WHUR, Jodine of Jodine's Corner,Stephanie Renee of Soul-Sanctuary, TGrundy, Jason Orr's FunkJazzKafe, Fiona Bloom, Johnnie Evans, Pam and Detrel of ONUTSS, Terry Bello, George LittleJohn, HoneySoul.com, Elliot of Projectvibe.com, Gordon Chambers, Monica Blaire, Liv Warfield, Lonnie Liston Smith, Lalah Hathway, Amp Fiddler, Eric Roberson, N'Dambi (If we've missed your name, please insert here:____________), and the rest of the 1300+ Podcasters, Radio Programmers, Artists, DJs, Bloggers, Tastemakers, and Fans who have signed up in the last month. Please continue to spread the word, and please be sure to introduce yourself to someone new on the Commune!

Erykah's Vortex Tour Dates

Sat-April-19 Moscow, Russia B-1 Maximum
For More Information: http://www.b1club.ru/

Sun-May-04 Detroit, MI Fox Theater w/ THE ROOTS
2211 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201


Mon-May-05 Toronto, Canada Massey Hall
178 Victoria Street Toronto, ON M5B 1T7


Tue-May-06 Montreal, Canada Jacques Cartier Parkw/ THE ROOTS
Kinf St. and Jacques Cartier Street Sherbrooke, QC J1E 1G9

Thu-May-08 Boston, MA Orpheum Theater w/ THE ROOTS
1 Hamilton Pl Boston, MA 02108


Fri-May-09 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall w/ THE ROOTS
1260 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020


Sat-May-10 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion w/ THE ROOTS
731 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202

Sun-May-11 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
69th and Ludlow St. Upper Darby, PA 19082


Wed-May-14 Washington, DC Constitution Hall w/ THE ROOTS
1776 D St NW Washington, DC 20006

Thu-May-15 Washington, DC Constitution Hall w/ THE ROOTS
1776 D St NW Washington, DC 20006


Fri-May-16 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall w/ THE ROOTS
215 St. Pauls Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23510


Sat-May-17 Greensboro, NC Special Events Center w/ THE ROOTS
1921 West Lee Street Greensboro, NC 27403


Sun-May-18 Richmond, VA Landmark Theater w/ THE ROOTS
6 N Laurel St. Richmond, VA 23220


Tue-May-20 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheater w/ THE ROOTS
Boca Raton, FL

Wed-May-21 San Juan, PR Coliseum of Puerto Rico Tom Joyner Show w/ John Legend
500 Calle Arterial B San Juan, PR 00919


Fri-May-23 Atlanta, GA Fox Theater w/ THE ROOTS
66 Peachtree St Atlanta, GA 39901


Sat-May-24 Montgomery, AL Jubilee City Festival
300 Bibb St. Montgomery, AL 36104

Sun-May-25 Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival

Tue-May-27 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium w/ THE ROOTS
116 5th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37219


Wed-May-28 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theater
203 South Main st. Memphis, TN 38173


Thu-May-29 St. Louis, MO Fox Theater w/ THE ROOTS
527 North Grand Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63101


Fri-May-30 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater w/ THE ROOTS
175 N State St. Chicago, IL 60601


Sat-May-31 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater w/ THE ROOTS
175 N State St. Chicago, IL 60601


Mon-Jun-02 Denver, CO Fillmore w/ THE ROOTS
1510 Clarkson St. Denver, CO 80218


Tue-Jun-03 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot w/ THE ROOTS
13 North 400 West Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Thu-Jun-05 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheater w/ THE ROOTS
6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy. NE Redmond, WA 98052


Fri-Jun-06 Vancouver, Canada Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville St. Vancouver, BC V6 1K3


Sun-Jun-08 Oakland, CA Paramount Theater w/ THE ROOTS
2025 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612


Tue-Jun-10 San Diego, CA Humphreys w/ THE ROOTS
2241 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106


Thu-Jun-12 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theater w/ THE ROOTS
2700 North Vermont Los Angeles, CA 90027


Fri-Jun-13 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89119


Sat-Jun-14 Phoenix, AZ Mesa Amphitheater w/ THE ROOTS
201 North Center Street Mesa, AZ 85201


Sun-Jun-15 Albuquerque , NM Kiva Auditorium w/ THE ROOTS
401 Second St. Albuquerque, NM 87102


For More Information: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/781503