The Funk Evangelists of Modern Electronic Dance Music
Origins and Early Lives
Charles Levine was born in the United States and raised in a family environment that appreciated music and creative expression. Growing up during the 1990s, he was exposed to a wide range of musical styles including hip-hop, funk, rock, and electronic music.
Levine developed an early interest in DJing and production, fascinated by how DJs could transform dancefloors through rhythm and groove.
His curiosity about music history later became a defining aspect of Soul Clap’s artistic identity.
Eli Goldstein
Eli Goldstein was also born and raised in the United States. Like Levine, he grew up immersed in a diverse musical landscape that included funk, jazz, hip-hop, and early electronic music.
Goldstein’s passion for music extended beyond performance; he was deeply interested in the cultural and historical context behind dance music traditions. This intellectual curiosity would later become a cornerstone of the Soul Clap project.
Meeting at College: The Birth of Soul Clap
Levine and Goldstein first met while studying at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
Their friendship began through a shared passion for DJing and music exploration. At Tufts, they started performing together at college parties and local clubs, experimenting with eclectic sets that blended funk, disco, hip-hop, and house.
Their chemistry behind the decks was immediate.
Recognizing their creative synergy, the pair officially formed Soul Clap in the mid-2000s. The name reflected both the rhythmic sensibility of their music and their deep admiration for the soulful roots of dance culture.
The Early Career and Rise Through the Underground
After graduating, Levine and Goldstein committed themselves fully to music.
Their early DJ sets gained attention for their distinctive style: rather than focusing solely on contemporary electronic tracks, Soul Clap incorporated vintage funk records, obscure disco edits, and deep house grooves.
This approach distinguished them within the electronic music scene.
Their breakthrough arrived when they became affiliated with the influential record label Wolf + Lamb Records, a collective known for its eclectic house sound and community-driven ethos.
Through Wolf + Lamb, Soul Clap began releasing original productions and DJ mixes that showcased their signature fusion of modern house and classic funk.
Musical Style and Influences
Soul Clap’s sound cannot be confined to a single genre. Instead, it represents a broad musical philosophy grounded in rhythm and groove.
Their influences include:
- classic funk and soul
- disco from the 1970s
- early Chicago house
- Detroit techno
- hip-hop and jazz
Influential artists in their musical lineage include:
- George Clinton
- Prince
- Larry Levan
- Frankie Knuckles
Their DJ sets often resemble musical journeys through decades of dance music history, weaving together classic influences with contemporary production techniques.
Breakthrough Releases and Recording Career
Soul Clap gained global attention through a series of releases that showcased their soulful approach to house music.
Major Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2012 | EFUNK |
| 2013 | EFUNK: The Album |
| 2016 | Soul Clap |
Their debut album EFUNK became a defining statement of their musical philosophy. The project blended electronic beats with funk-inspired rhythms and featured collaborations with legendary musicians.
Collaborations with Musical Legends
One of Soul Clap’s most remarkable achievements has been their collaborations with iconic artists from earlier eras of funk and soul.
Notable collaborators include:
- George Clinton
- Nona Hendryx
- Robert Owens
Working alongside George Clinton—leader of the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic collective—was particularly significant. The collaboration symbolized a bridge between classic funk and contemporary electronic music.
DJ Performances and Global Touring
Soul Clap’s reputation as DJs has grown alongside their production career.
They have performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, including:
- Burning Man
- Movement Detroit
- Sonar Festival
Their sets are known for their warmth and unpredictability, often blending live elements with carefully curated records spanning multiple genres.
The Soul Clap Record Label and Collective
Beyond performing and producing, Soul Clap expanded their influence through the creation of Soul Clap Records.
The label functions as both a creative platform and a cultural community dedicated to preserving the spirit of funk and house music.
Through the label, Soul Clap has supported emerging artists while continuing to release music that celebrates dance culture’s rich heritage.
Educational Contributions and Music Scholarship
Unlike many DJs, Levine and Goldstein have taken a deeply academic approach to music.
They created “The Soul Clap University”, an educational initiative exploring the history of dance music—from African rhythmic traditions to modern electronic production.
Through lectures, workshops, and interviews with legendary musicians, they have helped educate new generations about the cultural roots of dance music.
Awards and Recognition
Although Soul Clap’s career has been defined more by cultural influence than by mainstream awards, their impact has been widely recognized within the electronic music community.
| Year | Recognition |
|---|---|
| 2012 | International recognition for EFUNK |
| 2010s | Global festival performances |
| Ongoing | Influential figures in house and funk revival |
Challenges and Industry Obstacles
Soul Clap has often navigated the tension between underground authenticity and commercial electronic music trends.
During the 2010s, festival EDM dominated the global dance scene, emphasizing high-energy “big room” sounds.
In contrast, Soul Clap remained committed to groove-based music rooted in funk and soul traditions. This decision sometimes placed them outside mainstream EDM trends but strengthened their credibility within underground communities.
Personal Lives and Creative Philosophy
Levine and Goldstein have remained outspoken advocates for musical authenticity.
In interviews, they frequently emphasize that dance music is not merely entertainment but part of a larger cultural lineage rooted in African American musical traditions.
Their philosophy centers on:
- community-building
- musical education
- respect for historical influences
Their work reflects a belief that DJs should act as curators of musical heritage rather than simply entertainers.
Recent Activities and Continuing Projects
In recent years, Soul Clap has continued touring internationally while expanding their label and educational initiatives.
They remain active producers and DJs, performing at clubs, festivals, and cultural events around the world.
Their ongoing projects include collaborations with musicians across genres and continued development of Soul Clap Records as a creative platform.
Selected Discography
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2012 | EFUNK |
| 2013 | EFUNK: The Album |
| 2016 | Soul Clap |
Selected Singles & Collaborations
- Need Your Lovin’
- Shine (This Is It)
- The Shapeshifters collaborations
- various remixes and DJ edits
Legacy
Soul Clap occupies a distinctive place in the landscape of modern electronic music.
Rather than chasing fleeting trends, the duo has devoted their career to reconnecting dance music with its historical roots. By blending funk, soul, and house music traditions with contemporary production, they have helped preserve and revitalize a lineage that spans decades.
