United People Of Zion has been played on NTS in shows including P-rallel, featured first on 14 February 2019. Songs played include Uzongilinda (UPZ aka Avi Elman Mix).

From Israel comes United People of Zion (UPZ) which combines soul, funk, R&B and Afro-Caribbean sounds 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. On the remix roster you'll find top notch producers such as Fabio Bacchini, Abicah Soul, Alex Senna (Sueno Soul), Ron Gelfer, Doruk Ozlen, Euan Mitchell, DJ Rico and more.