S.I BIO:
House. Music for your mind, your body, and soul. British-born, Toronto-based brothers d'pac and Yogi understand this to be so. Together, as the Soul Immigrants, they climb inside the vibe to create house music that puts the ill in chill, the art in smart, and a smile in any listeners heart. Theirs is a world where funk and jazz meet Afro and Latin rhythms; where sophisticated soul meets down n dirty disco all resulting in subtle, sexy songs that can take us there.
"It's difficult to express, but there is a feeling you get when instruments and vocals blend to create a harmony that reaches deep within." d'pac
"Soul is spirit! People can get in touch with their spirit via Music. We work to incorporate this feeling into our production to give our music a deep, soulful sound that people can discover, feel and understand." Yogi
The road to connecting with ones creative spirit is never a straight one. Like most people, dpac and Yogi have traveled their fair share of twists and turns. Immigrating to Canada from Central England in 1986, the brothers arrived in Toronto just as underground dance music was growing some serious roots in North America. Their early exposure to Detroit techno, and both Chicago and New York house gave them the basic foundation to experiment with sound and technology. Both played guitar from an early age, and later learned keyboards, percussion, synths and samplers.
Nearby Detroit called particularly strongly, with the brothers visiting the motor city often to hear and buy music. In their travels, the pair met Detroit producer Chez Damier co-owner of Prescription Records with Ron Trent who was then working with the legendary Kevin Saunderson. Damier and Saunderson heard and enjoyed dpac and Yogi's early production work, and the brothers soon found themselves recording and remixing works for labels such as Prescription, Saundersons KMS, and its sister label Serious Grooves.
They formed their own Different Shades Productions, and began to receive much attention and respect from the underground in response to dpac and Terrence FMs "I Wouldnt" (1st. release on Prescription) and d'pac's "Everybody" EP (Serious Grooves), both released in 1993.
Aiming to incorporate soul as a key ingredient in their music and to give their songs a timeless feel, the brothers got serious and officially formed as a duo under their current Soul Immigrants moniker. Closer to home, they heard that legendary Toronto house heads Dino & Terry were looking to release local talent on their Crash label. Soul Immigrants submitted a demo, and a month later it was out on the shelves.
Soul Immigrants: Smokin' Peace (Crash, 1994) "This is one of those records that many DJs are simply going to pass over because it doesn't smash you in the face with any gimmicks, fanciness or DA BOMB-type stuff. Well that's the point. This is what house music should be about: subtlety, groove, and soul. This is the kind of record I want in my box, and just like those Morales Red Zone mixes, it'll stay there for a while. (Review by Andrew Rawnsley for XLR8R magazine, 04/94)
A number of other releases for Crash, Italys Suntune, and Germanys Prog City followed over the years, receiving radio and club play from sources as diverse as the U.K.s Galaxy FM, New Yorks Tony Humphries, and T.O.s own Nick Holder.
"For us, producing is personal and about contributing to music. We want to incorporate soul and create something that people will want to go back and listen to years later." Yogi
The Soul Immigrants are doing just that, growing stronger, deeper, and more sophisticated and international in their sound. The year 2000 has seen them ink a deal for the release of three 12eps with respected New Jersey label i Records. E.P. One, with its deep, jazzy and percussive underground danceclub hit "Ocean," has garnered rave reviews and much adoration. The just released The Collective Orchestra E.P. is quickly following suit.
Past, present, or future, the story remains the same. Youve gotta have soul.
Denise Benson (eye magazine - toronto)
MORE ON YOGI:
Yogi has been producing, DJing, and collecting vinyl for over 20 years and has production credits on KMS Records, Serious Grooves, Crash Records, Prog City, i! records and DNH Records.
He is also a member of the Groove Institute and United Soul (SOLID GARAGE ELEVATION and DEEP ELEMENTS), a Dj / Event organization that focuses on promoting quality dance music. His depth and knowledge of music has helped him get booked with the likes of Ron Trent, Pepe Bradock, Kevin Yost, Mark Farina, Jazzanova, Kenny Bobien, Michael Watford, Mateo Matos, Steve "Silk" Hurley ...
His set covers a wide spectrum of music incorporating a soulful mixture of Soul, Jazz, Latin, Disco, Garage and House. Some of his favorite producers includes Blaze, MAW, Lenny Fontana, Joe Claussell, Frankie Feliciano, Idjut Boys, Ron Trent, GU, Anthony Nicholson, Antonio Ocasio, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Frankie Valentine, Dennis Ferrer, Jephte Guillaume, Studio Apartment, Steal Vybe, Jihad Muhammad, Gerardo Frisina, Nicola Conte, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, Ben Mitchell, Faze Action, Bah Samba, Sunaga Tatsuo, Jazztronik, Yukihiro Fukutomi...
Visit www.unitedsoul.ca or www.myspace.com/unitedsoulevents to get connected!
New Mix Set Added:
Soul Immigrants Afro-Latin Edition
Other S.I Mix Sets:
Solid Garage est. 1998 Special 9yr Anniversary Edition
Solid Garage est. 1998 Special 8yr Anniversary Edition
elevation - music with feeling ... part 1
Solid Garage Classics
Party Pics & Flyers:
Solid Garage 10yr Anniversary Party May 3rd, 2008
DO YOU REMEMBER DISCO? V.5 Dec. 21st., 2007 feat. Albert Assoon, Mitch Winthrop, Alvaro G. & Yogi
HiLife feat. Yannick, Abacus, Yogi & Lupo October 13th, 2007
Solid Garage Live June 2nd, 2007
Solid Garage 9yr Anniversary Party May 5th, 2007
Solid Garage Classics March 3rd, 2007
Soulhuslters Convention Oct. 23rd, 2007
Solid Garage Classics Sept. 23rd, 2006