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Memphis Rehearsal Complex — or "MRC" — bustles when visual artists, jewelry makers, musicians, dancers, tattoo artists and others gather at the monthly Memphis Artists Showcase.

A belly dancer in a swirling blue dress performed while a young woman displayed jewelry she made. An artist painted a red face on the wall while another artist applied paint to a young woman's body. Dancers in checkered leotards warmed up as they waited for their turn to go on stage with a couple of hip-hop artists.

Many of the performers hone their talents in one of the 24 rental rooms at MRC. Sounds of various music styles blend in the hallways. An aesthetician rents space in a studio on the first floor, and some tattoo artists work upstairs.

The two-story brick building at 296 Monroe wasn't always so lively.

"Imagine this room being completely empty, everything painted gray, rats running around," said Robert Coletta, 28. That's what Memphis Rehearsal Complex looked like when he and fellow property manager Brandon Knight, 28, decided to give it a face-lift. The building, which Coletta believes to be 80 years old,had hit the skids.

"The place was completely trashed," Coletta said. "There was literally trash on the floors everywhere in the building. The building stank."

Tenants weren't paying rent, he said. "When we took over management, we cleaned house."

Coletta and Knight also knew the musical history of the building. "A lot of bands in this town are mutual friends of ours and roomed here in the past," Coletta said, and the building has been called the Memphis Rehearsal Complex for years.

The cavernous room housing the Memphis Artists Showcase now is referred to as "The Venue." It once housed a club called The Riot. "This venue was very well known in the metal and punk scene," Coletta said. "They packed this place out wall to wall. You couldn't even walk in here. They used to crowd surf, go nuts."

Coletta and Knight never imagined they would become involved with an old building near AutoZone Park. A few years ago, the two were sitting around a swimming pool in Cordova on a hot August day. They didn't know each other. Coletta, who was an electrician, said to a friend, "I can't find my place here." His friend pointed to Knight and said, "That guy is about to go to music business school in Hollywood, California."

Coletta walked over to Knight and asked if he could go with him. "He looked at me like I was crazy and said, 'Yeah, I guess,'" Coletta said. "So I literally put every single item that I owned except for my clothes on Craigslist. I had a house at the time. I had two cars. Filed bankruptcy. Got rid of it all."

Knight, who was working in heating and air-conditioning, also was dissatisfied with the way his life was going. "I was looking for something different to do," he said. "I was just online after work one day eating Chinese food. I opened my fortune cookie and it said, 'You cannot live life until you live the life you love.'"

He was looking for business schools online and found the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. "I signed up and sold everything I had. I was living on my friend's couch when I met him (Coletta). I've always been interested in music. I don't play any instruments. I play a little harmonica."

They finished their courses at the institute; Coletta concentrated on artist management, Knight on music publishing.

They moved back to Memphis where they eventually opened a recording studio at the rundown MRC. They wanted to help fellow musicians "develop their careers, helping with their publishing and copyrights," Coletta said.

Knight came up with the idea to overhaul the building. "We felt Memphis needed it," he said. "There were so many different types of people contacting us for space, photographers, different types of artists. We figured we'd try to remodel the whole thing and make it more becoming for people to come showcase their arts."

"We did it ourselves and with help of others who saw the potential in the building," Coletta said. "This has taken a lot of work from a lot of different people over a large amount of time."

Jad Davis, 22, was one of those people. A fashion designer and pop artist/singer, "I came on to be a part of the team because I believed in where they were going," Davis said. "An artistic community. Something for Memphis to call their own and something to separate them from everything else. I think that the artists need something like this. We offer a home for multiple mediums."

It took about two years to get MRC in shape. "That's all on a zero budget with a bunch of broke artists and affiliates," Coletta said. "Donations, sponsorship - Micheal Donahue, Entertaiment

Memphis Rehearsal Complex — or "MRC" — bustles when visual artists, jewelry makers, musicians, dancers, tattoo artists and others gather at the monthly Memphis Artists Showcase.

A belly dancer in a swirling blue dress performed while a young woman displayed jewelry she made. An artist painted a red face on the wall while another artist applied paint to a young woman's body. Dancers in checkered leotards warmed up as they waited for their turn to go on stage with a couple of hip-hop artists.

Many of the performers hone their talents in one of the 24 rental rooms at MRC. Sounds of various music styles blend in the hallways. An aesthetician rents space in a studio on the first floor, and some tattoo artists work upstairs.

The two-story brick building at 296 Monroe wasn't always so lively.

"Imagine this room being completely empty, everything painted gray, rats running around," said Robert Coletta, 28. That's what Memphis Rehearsal Complex looked like when he and fellow property manager Brandon Knight, 28, decided to give it a face-lift. The building, which Coletta believes to be 80 years old,had hit the skids.

"The place was completely trashed," Coletta said. "There was literally trash on the floors everywhere in the building. The building stank."

Tenants weren't paying rent, he said. "When we took over management, we cleaned house."

Coletta and Knight also knew the musical history of the building. "A lot of bands in this town are mutual friends of ours and roomed here in the past," Coletta said, and the building has been called the Memphis Rehearsal Complex for years.

The cavernous room housing the Memphis Artists Showcase now is referred to as "The Venue." It once housed a club called The Riot. "This venue was very well known in the metal and punk scene," Coletta said. "They packed this place out wall to wall. You couldn't even walk in here. They used to crowd surf, go nuts."

Coletta and Knight never imagined they would become involved with an old building near AutoZone Park. A few years ago, the two were sitting around a swimming pool in Cordova on a hot August day. They didn't know each other. Coletta, who was an electrician, said to a friend, "I can't find my place here." His friend pointed to Knight and said, "That guy is about to go to music business school in Hollywood, California."

Coletta walked over to Knight and asked if he could go with him. "He looked at me like I was crazy and said, 'Yeah, I guess,'" Coletta said. "So I literally put every single item that I owned except for my clothes on Craigslist. I had a house at the time. I had two cars. Filed bankruptcy. Got rid of it all."

Knight, who was working in heating and air-conditioning, also was dissatisfied with the way his life was going. "I was looking for something different to do," he said. "I was just online after work one day eating Chinese food. I opened my fortune cookie and it said, 'You cannot live life until you live the life you love.'"

He was looking for business schools online and found the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. "I signed up and sold everything I had. I was living on my friend's couch when I met him (Coletta). I've always been interested in music. I don't play any instruments. I play a little harmonica."

They finished their courses at the institute; Coletta concentrated on artist management, Knight on music publishing.

They moved back to Memphis where they eventually opened a recording studio at the rundown MRC. They wanted to help fellow musicians "develop their careers, helping with their publishing and copyrights," Coletta said.

Knight came up with the idea to overhaul the building. "We felt Memphis needed it," he said. "There were so many different types of people contacting us for space, photographers, different types of artists. We figured we'd try to remodel the whole thing and make it more becoming for people to come showcase their arts."

"We did it ourselves and with help of others who saw the potential in the building," Coletta said. "This has taken a lot of work from a lot of different people over a large amount of time."

Jad Davis, 22, was one of those people. A fashion designer and pop artist/singer, "I came on to be a part of the team because I believed in where they were going," Davis said. "An artistic community. Something for Memphis to call their own and something to separate them from everything else. I think that the artists need something like this. We offer a home for multiple mediums."

It took about two years to get MRC in shape. "That's all on a zero budget with a bunch of broke artists and affiliates," Coletta said. "Donations, sponsorship - Micheal Donahue, Entertaiment

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ W.O.A International) Featuring 27 artists from around the world, the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 marks the 5th Anniversary of the W.O.A International compilation that has consistently discovered and introduced great indie chillout artists to a global fanbase

Goa/London - 3rd Sept 2013 - WOA International announces the launch of the highly anticipated Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5. This is the 5th Anniversary edition of the annual Goa Chillout Zone compilation album. Volume 5 features 27 of the worlds finest chill music/easy listening artists from around the world all coming together on an album that has now come to be called the 'Best Annual Indie Chill Album' produced and conceptualised by MTV Europe Music Awards Nominee, Internationally Acclaimed Musician and Founder of W.O.A International - Oliver Sean.

"We have been releasing the Goa Chillout Zone every year and its been a pleasure discovering such wonderful artists, some of whom have now gone on to achieve tremedous success in their musical careers" says Oliver Sean, founder of W.O.A Imternational and Producer of the Goa Chillout Zone, "when we conceptualised this album back in 2008 we never intended this to be an annual compilation, today as we celebrate the 5th anniversary edition of this compilation album it is a sense of immense pride for my entire team at W.O.A International - The Music Company"

The Official Goa Chillout Zone website is now online to mark the worldwide launch of the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 album. The website is a place to check out the artists, listen to the new and past Goa Chillout Zone albums and even sample music videos by some of the GCZ acts. Fans can download the digital album, buy CD copies and even win signed copies of the Goa Chillout Zone album from 2008 till 2013 and interact directly with the Goa Chillout Zone artists via fan contests on the official website http://www.goachilloutzone.com

The Goa Chillout Zone tracks are scheudled to be broadcast on various radio shows worldwide including a 30 minute show dedicated to the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 on the WOAFM99 Show this September http://www.woarecords.com

Fans will also get a chance to listen in to special artist interviews and interactive radio shows with some of the featured acts of this compilation including Safffra, Laura Ainsworth, Diana May Clark, Linda Wood, Daiyon, HotHouse Gruv and Akiko/Firebird999.

The Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 will go live on iTunes, Amazon and will be available across all other major online stores this week. Stay tuned to the official Goa Chillout Zone website to catch the latest news on the album and get schedules for the radio shows - stay in the CHILL ZONE with the Goa Chillout Zone!


- T4C Top 40 Charts.com

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ W.O.A International) Featuring 27 artists from around the world, the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 marks the 5th Anniversary of the W.O.A International compilation that has consistently discovered and introduced great indie chillout artists to a global fanbase

Goa/London - 3rd Sept 2013 - WOA International announces the launch of the highly anticipated Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5. This is the 5th Anniversary edition of the annual Goa Chillout Zone compilation album. Volume 5 features 27 of the worlds finest chill music/easy listening artists from around the world all coming together on an album that has now come to be called the 'Best Annual Indie Chill Album' produced and conceptualised by MTV Europe Music Awards Nominee, Internationally Acclaimed Musician and Founder of W.O.A International - Oliver Sean.

"We have been releasing the Goa Chillout Zone every year and its been a pleasure discovering such wonderful artists, some of whom have now gone on to achieve tremedous success in their musical careers" says Oliver Sean, founder of W.O.A Imternational and Producer of the Goa Chillout Zone, "when we conceptualised this album back in 2008 we never intended this to be an annual compilation, today as we celebrate the 5th anniversary edition of this compilation album it is a sense of immense pride for my entire team at W.O.A International - The Music Company"

The Official Goa Chillout Zone website is now online to mark the worldwide launch of the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 album. The website is a place to check out the artists, listen to the new and past Goa Chillout Zone albums and even sample music videos by some of the GCZ acts. Fans can download the digital album, buy CD copies and even win signed copies of the Goa Chillout Zone album from 2008 till 2013 and interact directly with the Goa Chillout Zone artists via fan contests on the official website http://www.goachilloutzone.com

The Goa Chillout Zone tracks are scheudled to be broadcast on various radio shows worldwide including a 30 minute show dedicated to the Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 on the WOAFM99 Show this September http://www.woarecords.com

Fans will also get a chance to listen in to special artist interviews and interactive radio shows with some of the featured acts of this compilation including Safffra, Laura Ainsworth, Diana May Clark, Linda Wood, Daiyon, HotHouse Gruv and Akiko/Firebird999.

The Goa Chillout Zone Vol.5 will go live on iTunes, Amazon and will be available across all other major online stores this week. Stay tuned to the official Goa Chillout Zone website to catch the latest news on the album and get schedules for the radio shows - stay in the CHILL ZONE with the Goa Chillout Zone!


- T4C Top 40 Charts.com

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GLORY brings you # 3 of the Neo-Soul United Series!

Glory Records is proud to announce the release of "Neo-Soul United 3", available on August 24, 2004 nationwide.

(PRWEB) August 24, 2004 -- Glory Records was launched in the fall of 2003 with the "Neo-Soul United" series, founded by Soul music fanatics, Teddy Esposito and Natalie Esposito.

Featured in Billboard twice, The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, The San Diego Union Tribune and others, Glory has quickly caught the attention of consumers and the entertainment industry alike. The series is an avenue for emerging and established artists alike to showcase their talent on an international basis.

Volume 3 includes world premieres by Martin Luther (THE ROOTS crew)
and Memphis' own Valencia Robinson, described by Kevin Powell as "...a major and very important artist who possesses magic...". Other amazing highlights include "Judgment" and "Never Forget" by J.Michael, produced by the Newton Twins (Lauryn Hill/ Aretha Franklin), the soul classic "Givin' up" by Lab Addicts (NJ), the jazzy "Home" by Klientel (Kentucky) and the erotic "O" by Jennifer Johns (a vocalist for Blackalicious), among many others! 12 tracks in total!

Neo-Soul United 3 truly represents the best Soul music from across the USA.

Also available in stores the now: "Neo-Soul United" and "Neo-Soul United 2"

Welcome to the new sound of Soul music from across America.









- PR WEB Press Review NEWSWIRE

For one so slight Valencia possesses the most powerful and emotive of voices. I have already recorded that one of my most pleasant surprises of my visit was to meet Valencia as her BlackSolSista has been one of my personal favourites over the last few years. It is a track I am not ashamed to drop in any context, as it is one of those tracks that people simply just stop and take notice of. Definitely Soul Music of this mellenium.

The other tracks on this 6 tracker are equally as emotive, Bye Bye Angel is in some ways quite similar and a great opener. Everlasting is more organic, more moody in context.

Most tracks have acoustic leads which is becoming quite popular and trendy in new soul, but this one has been around a while, but (and I don't know if this makes sense) but it doesn't feel like an acoustic album, the overriding power belongs to the vocal, and I love it to death, as hairs tingle and tears well up in my eyes as I listen to Good things are Real.............and yes they are, and this is.

- Mike Ashley of Life and Soul Promotions