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. 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 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.