The Soultronics

On January 25, 2000, D'Angelo released his second studio album, Voodoo (2000). After releasing several singles, he and his label, Virgin Records, decided to go on a several month worldwide tour, The Voodoo Tour. During the tour, J Dilla and his group Slum Village opened on several dates, while R&B singer Anthony Hamilton sang backup within the Soultronics on occasion. Hamilton was joined as a backup singer by Shelby Johnson and Jack "JK" King III. ==Tour and aftermath==

The performances during The Voodoo Tour earned rave reviews from several music critics and publications, receiving praise for D'Angelo's energy and "charisma as a live performer" and the Soultronics group, while earning comparisons to outings by the legendary funk bands Parliament and Sly & the Family Stone. On one of the live outings, Rolling Stones Touré described the appearance of the performers, stating "The Soultronics begin each show in all black, but beyond that one requirement, each looks completely distinct. One man is in a deacon's robe, another in a long cape with a knit ski cap that says FBI. There’s a feather boa, a few badass leather coats, and Questlove's mighty Afro. There's a P-Funkish freaky flair to the Soultronics' look." The group was broken up at the end of the tour; the tour started in early 2000 and ended at the beginning of late 2000 when D'Angelo's issues towards performing worsened. However, hopes for both releases waned as D'Angelo's problems with alcoholism escalated, and impatient Virgin executives cut off funding for his expected third album in 2004. ==Band members==

Although some artists only participated sporadically during the tour, its members included: • D'Angelo • Pino Palladino • Chalmers "Spanky" Alford • Questlove • Jacques Schwarz-Bart • James Poyser • Anthony Hamilton • Russell Gunn • Shelby Johnson • Frank Lacy • Jack "JK" King III • Jef Lee Johnson ==References==