The project was created in 1995 by two Moscow musicians Arkady Martinenko (MEGAPOLIS, HEAT of the EARTH, EJECT PROJECT) and Boris Nazarov. Within the next several years collective was searching for its own style and sound. Together with the Ministry of Psycho MGI were playing electronic concerts at independent experimental “Substation” radio. These lives provided background for the first studio album of the project called “Surround Wednesday”, that was released by Citadel records label in 1997.

At the same time MGI starts giving concerts in Russia and abroad; it takes part in such music festivals as “Kazantip” (Crimea), “Subtropique” (Georgia). At the end of 1999 the third participant Sergei Belyaev (Rovniy) joins the band. He participates in the record of MGI second album called “Pizza”. The basis of the release is funk with elements of drum-n-base and ethnical trip-hop. Together with Arkady Marto, Boris Nazarov and Sergei Belyaev, Sergei Klevensky and the members of Detsky Panadoll project took part in the record of the album.

In 2000 MGI issues a compilation of remixes and unreleased tracks “Commercial” and also films three video clips of the compositions “Stereophonique”, “Voyage”, “2 professors” and two videos of OLF (Olga Noel & Moscow Grooves Institute) project – “Na Zare” and “Les Chrysanthemes”. The clips were rotated on MTV Russia, Muz-TV as well as on the Ukrainian and Belarusian musical channels. In 2001 MGI together with Mummy Troll group records of version of Victor Zoy’s song “Malysh” that had never been released before. For a long time this song was the leader of radio “Maximum” music chart.

In June of 2002 MGI new album “Tangibility” was released. Such well known foreign labels as Netlmage Foundation (Great Britain) and MPLS. Ltd (USA) released vinyl singles from the album.

The fifth studio album of the project “Les etoiles sont plus proches avec les yeux fermes” was released in April of 2005, but actually musicians have been gathering the material for it since 2005. Olga Noel beautified with her back vocal several compositions of the album. Such musicians as participant of the German band N.O.H.A MC Chevy whose rap diversified MGI electric sound and the old friend of the project Daria Rodcher known for MGI concert activity from 2000 till 2003 participated in the record of the album.

Several times during the last years MGI project has become the finalist of international contest of electronic music Qwartz Electronic Music Awards. MGI tracks are often included to music compilations, issued by such foreign record companies as Pork recordings, George V, Les Maquis, Pschent etc. The members of the project are authors of the music for such films as “Native and intimate” (2007) and “Dance, don’t stop” (2007) by director E. Lavrentiev; they were also working at the remixes of compositions by t.a.t.u, Vitas, Mummy Troll, Enrique Iglesias & Alsou.

In 2007 Citadel records releases a multicolor version of Moscow Grooves Institute debut album “Surround Wednesday”, partly rearranged by sound producer Sofia Kruglikova in 2004-2005.

Since the summer of 2008 MGI consists of Boris Nazarov (vocals, samplers and groove boxes), Yuri Shulgin (bass guitar, cuts) and Pavel Khotin (synthesizers). Before the gig in Japan, that took place in July 2008, the project was working at the new program that will soon provide basis for the sixth studio album of the collective.

 

BORIS NAZAROV – one of founders and the constant member of Moscow Grooves Institute. Among the latest projects of the musician is collaboration with famous actor and director Mikhail Efremov. At the stage of Moscow Sovremennik theatre Efremov staged Andrei Platonov’s play “Musical box” and Boris wrote music for the performance. He was also working at the LEVITATION program (together with famous Tony Levin and members of Goatika Creative Laboratory) and participated in concerts of Goatika project together with Pete Lockett, Kai Eckhart and George Brooks.

PAVEL KHOTIN – keyboard player. In 1984-1990 was a member of underground art-punk group “Sounds MU”, whose producer in the West was Brian Eno. Since 1991 till 1995 participated in the project MD&C Pavlov, the winners of “Generation 94” contest. In 1996 – 1997 was an art director of “Water area” club. In 1998 was a musical co-producer of Cosmos Production label. Since 1996 till 2004 was a participant of TETRIS electronic project, the compositions of which were included to Cafй del Mar and Water Music compilations. In 1999-2000 the albums of the project were released by a famous British label Pork recordings. Since 2005 till now Pavel Khotin is playing in REUNION “Nikolai Kopernik” group. Since 2006 is collaborating with PAPA Z – TRIO project, released by Bagpak Music label based in New-York.

YURI SHULGIN - disk jockey, musician, bass guitar player. In 1995-2001 was getting jazz music education. In 2004 his first DJ set took place; at the same time he – as a bass guitar player – became the member of PAPA Z – TRIO project. Then Yuri starts collaborating with ISCRA DISCO project. In 2008 was called the best scratch DJ at the international festival “Doors to the summer”, held in Yaroslavl. In his creation works Yuri combines jazz, funk, hip-hop and turntablism.