Biography
From Israel comes UPZ which combines soul, funk, R&B and Afro-Carib elements on top of house & urban grooves. UPZ features a host of talented artists originating from all four corners of the globe and now based in Israel.
UPZ releases have graced labels such as Objektivity, Farplane, Look at You, Camio, Cr2, Bubble Soul, Susu and soWHAT records. Support has come in from Brian Tappert, Jamie Lewis, Roger Sanchez, Dimitri from Paris, Keith Thompson, Rasmus Faber, Master Kev, Dixon (Innervisions), Tony Humphries, Audiowhores, Soul Central, Groove Junkies, Richard Earnshaw, DJ Pope, Pete Tong & Yossi Fine.
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Avi Elman, who writes and produces the project, was born in Israel of mixed Turkish & Iraqi descent and raised in Kenya & South Africa where he developed a passion for Jazz, African and soulful grooves as well as being active in various live acts. He returned to Israel in 1997 and set up a recording studio in Tel-Aviv as well as DJ'ing in top Tel-Aviv spots such as Shalvata, Melle and Beach Bar.
Avi also runs soWHAT records, Israel’s pioneering House and urban label which he set up in late 2006. soWHAT releases tracks from the UPZ project as well as other artists such as Hillary Sargeant. Producers involved include Fabio Bacchini, Abicah Soul, Rasmus Faber, Alex Senna (Sueno Soul), Ron Gelfer, Reelsoul, Jihad Muhammad, Euan Mitchell, DJ Rico and more.
UPZ DISCOGRAPHY
Pure Surprise, soWHAT records, 2006/2007
12 Tribes EP, Look At You Records, USA, 2006
Mr. Manna (remixes), Faderz Records, Denmark, 2006
Rok Da Funk, Camio Records, UK, 2006
Afrika Wo-Man, Soulfunk Digital/soWHAT records, UK, 2006
Ki Sa Ou Di, soWHAT records, IL, 2006/2007
Touched By Heaven, soWHAT records, IL, 2007
Mundo Infantil, Farplane Records, Swe, 2007
Ti-Moune, Bubble Soul records, Spain, 2007
Moment with U, Bubble Soul records, Spain, 2007
Danger in the City, soWHAT records, 2007
Danger in the City (The Remixes), Camio records, 2007
noiZ, Objektivity(Abicah Soul Mixes) /soWHAT records, IL 2007
U Lift Me (soWHAT records), 2008
Hangin on a Dream (Tony Records forthcoming), 2008
Ki Sa Ou Di/Noiz EP - Yotam Avni Mixes (soWHAT, forthcoming) 2008
UPZ ALBUMS
United People of Zion (soWHAT records/Rambling records, 2007)
United People of Zion II (soWHAT records, 2008)
United People of Zion Remixed (forthcoming, soWHAT records, 2008)
UPZ REMIXES
Stone Love - Angie Stone (CDR)
Da Bump Vrs. Rok Da Funk - UPZ mash-up (CDR)
Wish I Didn't Miss You - Angie Stone (CDR)
Fanga, Hillary Sargeant, soWHAT records, IL, 2007
Believe, Roberto De Carlo (Soultonic records), 2007
Open Your Eyes - Jihad Muhammed (Camio records), 2007
Vibrations, Danny Marquez (Bubble Soul), 2008
Sao Salvador - Mustafa (Staff Productions, forthcoming), 2008
Rock This Castle - Keith Thompson (Waking Monster, forthcoming), 2008
ON COMPILATIONS
Moment with U, Cr2 Records (United Nations of House Compilation), UK, 2005
Pure Surprise, Rambling Records (Braniff International mixed by Rasmus Faber), JP, 2006
Mundo Infantil, Victor Entertainment (2 Far, Rasmus Faber), JP, 2006/7
Danger in the City, Susu (Shrine Compilation), UK, 2006/7
Touched by Heaven, Rambling Records (Disco A La Mode), JP, 2007
Danger in the City, Susu (Bar Susu Deep), UK, 2007
Moment with U (Kiko Navarro Rmx), Atal (Yes, Please!), Spain, 2007
Mundo Infantil, Rambling Records (Bossa A La Mode), JP, 2007
Touched by Heaven, ClubStar (Cafe Solarie Vol. 13), Germ, 2007
Rok Da Funk & Danger In The City (GILT Champagne Lounge Comp), UK, 2007
Danger in the City, Hi-Note (Top Model), Taiwan, 2007
Hangin' on a Dream, Reelgroove (The Sound of Reelgroove), UK, 2008
Prayer 4 Me, DAAB Vol 3 (forthcoming), Germany, 2008
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.