United Soul

For many artists, appealing to diverse audiences is no easy feat. But for West Philadelphia natives Josh and Aziz Collins of the R&B/ Soul duo U.City (formerly United Soul), this task is accomplished with ease, style, and some very good music.
With their debut album Reservations, released in 2005, U.City created a fusion of soul, rock, funk and hip hop all in one original sound. Reservations serves as a reminder of soul music as it once was. Included on the album is the sultry single “Best of Me,” which won the group the 2003 Heineken Music Initiative/ASCAP Foundation R&B Grant, an award that recognizes the best rising songwriters across the country. Another single, “He Don’t,” was featured on Hidden Beach Recordings’ compilation album “Hidden Hits” released in 2003.
2008 has found U.City with the release of their sophomore project, “The Fall,” an album which will give fans a taste of something different. The music embodies a new spirit and represents the evolution of the group over the last three years.
Not just stellar performers but gifted songwriters, the duo has impressed upon industry favorites, including husband and wife combo Kindred the Family Soul, who perform a U.City-penned song on their third album “The Arrival.” The group’s talents also earned them a spot on the 2005 VH1 Soul Tour where they shared the stage with Kindred and Jaguar Wright in Washington D.C. and New York City.
Though the two are not related by blood as their identical last names suggest, the kindred musical connection explains why Josh and Aziz identify as brothers. The artistic chemistry and vocal contrasts of the two, an ideal mixture of refined smoothness and raw strength, creates an unforgettable combination. And this combination continues to create work that will stand apart and ultimately bring authenticity and depth to an industry that is starving to be fed substance.