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The Groove Guide is a web site (online at http://www.grooveguide.com) containing up-to-date information on who, what, where, and when is happenin' in the funk / soul / acid jazz (groove) music scenes, worldwide.

It is free!

Since the information is in a database, fans can browse for gigs and events by band, company, club, region, or date.

There's detailed information on thousands of artists, record labels, clubs, albums, radio stations, djs, press, distributors, promoters etc - everyone that makes and supports this kinda music. This is a great resource for independent-minded artists and labels.

So if you're:

• In New Orleans and want to know what gigs are happening next week
• Planning a trip to San Francisco and want to get a summary of the scene
• Looking for your favorite band's latest tour schedule
• Looking to preview samples of this kinda music
• Working for a record label and want to get press for your band
• A Radio DJ spinning funky soul who wants to find out how to contact the hip labels
• New to the groove music scene and need a good guide
• Organizing a tour for your band

... then the Groove Guide is the best place to start.

Currently, we keep track of live acts, not raves, and a very limited selection of dj-only club events. We are trying to maintain a musician-oriented angle with this site.

We also keep track of radio shows, both one-off interviews of bands and regular shows that are of interest and that genuinely spin and support this music.

We do not have the space for audio samples, but we link to the band's website where samples are located.

The Groove Guide is at http://www.grooveguide.com.

This is the permanent address. Go ahead and link to us!

The Groove Guide is maintained by Fog City Records. While it is a huge undertaking for an independent label, we believe that by sharing what we know we will help grow and strengthen the market for this kinda music. And that benefits everyone!

Note that are some other great resources out on the Web:

• The Acid Jazz Server has frequent postings by bands and discussions and recommendations by fans, but the information usually concentrates on a single gig and the site does not specialize in gigs and events.
• Several gig databases already exist (including the excellent and indie-friendly WILMA site), but they tend to be used by major acts (with a tie-in to BASS), the info tends to get out of date, and there is no comprehensive gig site that specializes in this genre.
• Many sites allow you to add your band to their links page, but they are long lists (and if youre called Galactic you're next to the Galactic Cowboys).
• The Massive web site has an excellent resource for clubs, record stores, etc but this information is not updated regularly and is not cross-referenced with specific nights.
• The Streetsounds site allows anyone to post gig info, but it tends to be mostly wordy descriptions of raves.
• Acid Jazz List members like Elson Trinidad (JIBE) maintain local scene lists, but they are limited to their one region.
• IUMA is well-organized, heavily visited, has many acts, and splits them up into categories, but they are not a free service and funk is not their specialty.

The Groove Guide is different because:

• We concentrate on a particular kinda music
• We've done A LOT of the legwork and research already
• We put the information in a single place, and serve as a launchpad for further information.
• We cross-reference gigs, bands, cities, states, countries, clubs, radio stations, record shops etc.
• We allow bandmembers and record labels to maintain their own gig info, instantly.
• We are free.

The Groove Guide operates on the honor system. If you find it useful, contribute something we missed!

We need bands, radio stations, clubs, record labels, writers etc. to join up (it's free!). Information on hip radio shows, good reviews, cool zines etc. can be very helpful for other acts trying to make it. Fill us in!

Simple forms for contributing your info are available online at the Groove Guide.

Any suggestions on further developing the concept of this site are also welcome. Send email to , or get in touch with Fog City Records.

Interested groups (that play groovy jazz, funky soul, live hip hop etc) should use this form to submit your act to us.

First, you should submit your band(s) and /or record label to us using the appropriate form.

Second, mail us a copy of anything you've released - CDs, LPs, singles, etc., along with a press release, one sheet, and/or any related printed material for each title. Be sure to include an email address in case we need any other information. Send it all off to:

fog city records 99 carmelita street san francisco, ca 94117 fax 415.553.3921 email:

We should be able to add your title within a few days.

NOTE: Due to the difficulty in maintaining info on college radio shows (which is usually only current for a few months), we have stopped listing specific radio shows and radio djs. However, if you are a dj with a show that has been running for at least a year and if you spin funk and soul music performed by bands (as opposed to two funky sample-based electronica tracks in a set of techno and drum n bass) then read on:

First, see if your station is already in our database by using the SEARCH page.

Second, submit your radio station to us using the appropriate form.

Third, submit your own (DJ) information to us using the same form.

Finally, when you have received confirmation that your radio station and yourself have been added to the Groove Guide (this should take a day or two), you will be able to add information about your radio show using this form.

NOTE: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADD INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RADIO SHOW UNTIL WE HAVE ADDED YOUR RADIO STATION TO THE DATABASE.

Submit your company information to us using the appropriate form.

If you have any questions or there's no category for you, and we'll figure it out.

Scheduled for Spring 1997: Automatic, regular emailing of gig information to web sites like the Acid Jazz List, Funky Music Mailing List, etc as well as a long list of people on our own mailing list.

We may also include song excerpts, effectively turning the Groove Guide in to an online jukebox...

NOTE: We reserve the right to decide whether your submission is included or not, in the interest of maintaining the site's musical focus.

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The Groove Guide is a free service of the Fog City web site.
Copyright © 1996 Fog City Records. Design by Fog City Graphics.