U.S Garage developed during the 1980s from the meeting point between Disco, Soul, Gospel, R&B and early House Music. The category is mainly associated with club scenes in New York and New Jersey, and should be distinguished from the later British style known as UK Garage.
The name is closely connected to the Paradise Garage in New York, where resident DJ Larry Levan played extended sets built from Disco, Soul, Funk, Post-Disco and early electronic dance records. His programming and remix culture helped shape a soulful, rhythmically detailed approach that influenced producers, singers and DJs across the United States.
New Jersey became another important centre through clubs, radio and artists associated with a deeper vocal sound. DJs and producers including Tony Humphries, Blaze, Kerri Chandler, Masters at Work, David Morales and Frankie Knuckles contributed to music that crossed between Garage House, Deep House and Soulful House.
U.S Garage commonly features four-to-the-floor drums, warm basslines, piano or organ chords and prominent vocals influenced by Soul and Gospel. Extended arrangements, layered percussion and expressive performances make the style particularly suited to club mixing and longer DJ sets.
Independent labels and specialist clubs supported the music through the late 1980s and 1990s before it reached wider audiences through remixes, compilations and international licensing. Its production and vocal traditions had a major influence on Soulful House, Deep House and the British Garage scene that developed later.
The U.S Garage category can include New York Garage, New Jersey Garage, Garage House and closely related vocal or soulful House records. Its defining character comes from American club culture, strong songwriting and the connection between electronic dance rhythm, Soul, Gospel and Disco.
At Scientific Sound Asia, u.s garage occasionally surfaces within Marco Mei, Electronic Roots and Foundations.