United Soul / Groove Institute

Promoters and Supporters of Soulful Dance Music since 1998

UNITED SOUL / GROOVE INSTITUTE are DJ members YOGI, MARK & ANAND, an organization that has been promoting and supporting soulful dance music since the early 90's. From their travels over the past 30+ years, they have accumulated and acquired an understanding of music that they wish to share with everyone. As United Soul, they have organized well over 600 events and recently celebrated 26 yrs of Solid Garage.

Their depth and knowledge of music has helped them get booked with the likes of Louie Vega, Osunalde, Tony Allen, Femi Kuti, Colonel Abrams, Jellybean Benitez, Robert Owens, Blaze, Adeva, Mark Farina, Jazzanova, Ron Trent, Tortured Soul & Kenny Bobien. Their sets cover a wide spectrum of music, incorporating a soulful mixture of Soul, Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Disco, Garage and House.

Some of the talented Dj's/Artist/Performers that have been featured at their events include Dino + Terry, Blueprint, Dj Deep, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Scott Grooves, Felix & Gani, Lonewolf, Miko, Trevor Walker, Tony Sweat, Jeremy Newall, Joe & Trini, Ron Trent, Naomi Nsombi, Richard Brooks, Ali Black, Soul Immigrants, Jojo Flores, Francois Fluet, Uncle Funke, Gazza, Antonio Ocasio, Dj Stuart, Steve Medeiros, Michael Fossati, Peter Bosco, Soul Sustenance, Kaje, Jason Barham, Jason Ulrich, John Kumahara, Kenny Bobien, King Sunshine, Curtis Smith, Sanjay Gandhi, Mr. Kicks, Gene King, Ray Prasad, Stafford, Slam Mode, Urbana feat. Nicky Lawrence, Paul E. Lopez, Pedro Parades, aba-cus, Paul Jay, Dennis Ingham, Phatjazz All-Stars, Albert Assoon, Jason Palma, DeeJay Nav, Akio Takahashi, Tony Desypris, Dj Zo, Eric Ling, KC & Victor, Angel & Cullen, Live Grooves, Nick Holder, Jason Hynes & Paul Hogan, iDRUM Group, Manuel-Josell Ramos, Denise Benson, Hali & Rod G., Adam Khan, Frankie Valentine, Jephte Guilluame, Peter, Tyrone & Shams, David Harness, Frank Williams, Aki, Dave Campbell, Kevin Williams, Hubert, Mike Cordeiro, Mike Tull, Johnny Lopez, Peter Truverez, Brenner, Byron Stingily, Robert Owens, Osunlade, Rudy, David James, Andre Webley, Boo Williams, Glenn Underground, Andy Roberts, Carlos Fuerte, Samba Elegua, General Eclectic, Alvaro G, Kevin Jazzy J, Gadjet, JoshfromBlaze, Frankie Feliciano, DJ La-Z-e, Sacha Williamson, CeCe Rogers, DJ Starting From Sratch, Greg Gow, Adam Fairhurst, Dom B, Anthony Wright, Mr V, Alix Alvarez, Mike Sitchon, Zaki Ibrahim, Jeff Graham, Kenny Glasgow, Tony Assoon, Mitch Winthrop, Tricky Moreira, Morgan Shim, Arnold Jarvis, Karizma, Louie Vega, Anane Vega, Jellybean Benitez, Quentin Harris, Ultra Nate, Tortured Soul, The Sno-men, Black Coffee, DJ Spen, Marc Evans, Reviera, Duce Martinez, Jihad Muhammad, Diana, Chris Sakai, Pablo Hernandez, Phil Marwood, Corey Dawkins, Vinny Grüvhunter, Son of S.O.U.L, Bucie, Tony Allen, Amp Fiddler, Colonel Abrams, Zepherin Saint, Stan Zeff, Vick Lavender, King Britt, Sarah Linhares, Michael Watford ....

GROOVE INSTITUTE BIO:

In 1995 YOGI, MARK & ANAND had their own radio show at the University of Toronto called the Groove Institute Mix Show. The show's name was subsequently used by the DJ collective to signal their mission: to educate and entertain people with the music that they loved. The collective had paid their dues travelling around the U.S. digging deep through the crates for rare old gems and immersing themselves in the underground warehouse scene of the late 80s/early 90s. They learned their lessons well and began putting their knowledge to work by establishing their premier night Solid Garage in 1998. In their quest for the perfect beat, the Groove Institute cover a wide selection of music, dropping soul, jazz, latin, afro, disco, garage, techno and deep house into the pot for a constantly evolving musical flavor and richness .... the true garage vibe!

The Parties!

SOLID GARAGE est. 1998

Solid Garage Classics

SOLID GARAGE DEEP

elevation - music with feeling!

DEEP ELEMENTS

=====================================================================

WHAT IS SOLID GARAGE?

SOLID GARAGE can be described as an extension of the Garage Sound born in the early '80's at The Paradise Garage (NYC). The MUSIC played at this club by the Legendary Larry Levan, defined the term GARAGE and influenced the next generation of soulful dance music. Solid Garage's goal is to promote the many layers of this garage sound which is heavily inspired by the roots of SOUL, JAZZ, AFRO-LATIN, DISCO, TECHNO & HOUSE.

Solid Garage exploded onto the Toronto scene in the summer of 1998, inspired by The Groove Institute's trip to the Winter Music Conference that spring. They had witnessed some of the top garage parties & performers the world had to offer. The absence of nights in Toronto playing soulful house convinced the DJ Collective that Solid Garage was needed. 20+ years later their dedication has ensured that Solid Garage is a Toronto institution, with an incredible line up of international & local guests. "SOLID GARAGE is about celebration; people coming together for the music".

Groove Institute's All Time Top 5 Favourite Songs:

Anand’s

Sylvester - Over and Over - Fantasy - 1977
Martha Wash - Carry On - RCA - 1992
Driza Bone - Brightest Star - Island - 1994
Leon Ware - Leon Ware (LP) - Electra - 1982
Leo’s Sunship - We Need Each Other (LP) - Lyons - 1978

Yogi’s

Gloria Scott - What Am I gonna do (LP) - Casablanca - 1974
Al Johnson - Back For More (LP) - Columbia - 1980
Innocence - Belief (LP) - Cooltempo - 1990
Lisa Stansfield - Real Love (LP) - Arista - 1991
Monday Michiru - Mysteries of Life - Polydor - 2000

Mark’s

Ten City - My Peace Of Heaven - Atlantic - 1992
Fazed Idjuts - Dust Of Life - U-Star - 1999
Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders(LP) - Jive - 1993
Dexter Wansel - Life On Mars - Philly International - 1976
Johnny Hammond - Los Conquistadors Chocolates - Milestone - 1975