Tracklisting:
A1 Andy Ash - You_Me
A2 Andy Ash - You_Me (Mark E remix)
B1 Andy Ash - Momentary Days
B2 Andy Ash - Reach
B3 Andy Ash - Rico Rico!

Sales Note
Assured UK house producer Andy Ash takes care of the next EP on SAFTX while the equally esteemed Mark E steps up to remix.

For well over a decade now, Andy Ash has been turning out high-quality house music on a range of labels. Last year he served up a tasteful full-length on Quintessentials, the year before he dropped a double 12" on Still Music and he is also a regular at the likes of Delusions Of Grandeur. From deep and dusty to disco-tinged and dynamic, he has a stylish sound that is well-versed in the classics but always his own twist. He shows that again here with four fresh tunes which cannot fail to make you feel good.

Opener 'You:Me' features Faber and os brilliantly warm house groove. The drums and hi-hats are prefectly designed, the vamping chords bring a playful funk and swirling pads add diffuse late-night energy. It's timeless cut with nods to the US midwest and subtle vocal sounds.

Remixer and Merc label boss Mark E has a rich history of edits and originals on the likes of Running Back, Delusions Of Grandeur and Studio Barnhus. On this version, he lays down hazy, heavy kicks for a beatdown workout that comes alive with gorgeous synt work akin to all the best Detroit dons.

Ash's 'Momentary Days' is a slow and roomy, dubbed-out house swinger. Well-placed samples - vocal coos, guitar riffs, jazzy chords - all peel off the loose drums and can't fail to get you moving. 'Reach' is another humid house cut for cosy back rooms and basements. The Scruffy drums have frayed edges while dreamy melodies loop up top. It's a heartfelt sound that slowly turns you to deep inward reflection.

Last of all is 'Rico! Rico!', a downtempo jazz-funk jam with crisp broken beats, keys that take you to the Riviera and strings so lush you can almost feel the sun on your face.

This deep house music as it should be - raw, expressive and full of human soul. More

Tracklisting:
A1 Chris Gray - Forage The Courage (What Could Be)
A2 Chris Gray - Woks & Their Toasted Sesame
A3 Chris Gray - 3s Then A Flour
B1 Chris Gray - Bring It To A Simmer
B2 Chris Gray - Freshened With Seductive Acidity
B3 Chris Gray - It's A Bad Day When The Store Locks Away Detergent
C1 Chris Gray - Fennel & Dill Pollen
C2 Chris Gray - The Rest, In Peas
C3 Chris Gray - Flan De Qoi Choi
D1 Chris Gray - Tikka Luvr
D2 Chris Gray - The Puttanesca Caper
D3 Chris Gray - Every Child's Pots & Pans
D4 Chris Gray - This Game Hen's Game's On

Sales Note
Cosmic Simmering is a very personal new album of unreleased material from Chris Gray on saft. The 13 track album has been composed of previously lost archives, restored DAT tapes and old CDs and it plots the musical evolution of one of house mysic's most underrated artists.

Work on this album started in March 2020 when Chris started digging around in his archives. Some of what he found was sketched in the late 80s, while other tracks were written a few months after Chris moved to Chicago and was living in his uncle's south side attic in early 1993. There are also some cuts from 1995 onwards which have been salvaged from deteriorating DAT tapes after a friend of CHris fixed his player. There is also a selection of early 2000s deep4life material taken from 20-year-old backups on cheap CDs, all brought back to life for this record.

Cosmic Simmering is a beautifully widescreen album that works equally on mind, body and spirit. More

Tracklisting:
A1 Pablo Valentino - Look Deeper
A2 Pablo Valentino feat. Patchworks - X-Rousse
B1 Pablo Valentino - Bagaço
B2 Pablo Valentino - Bagaco (Seb Wildblood remix)

Release Note:
Saft's X series signs up accomplished French house artist Pablo Valentino for a new EP that features Patchworks and includes a remix from Seb Wildblood. Valentino hails from East France but his work has made a global impact. He runs FACES Records and is A&R for the cult MCDE Recordings. Next to that he DJs around Europe and has produced both solo and as part of collectives such as Creative Swing Alliance and Hipster Wonkaz for labels like MCDE, Eureka and Room With A View.

Atmospheric opener "Look Deeper" is a rough and steamy deep house cut for cosy basements. The drums are raw and alive, the lead synth is haunting, and the keys bring a jazz feel while vocal coos add some serious soul. French jazz, soul and deep house artist Patchworks guests on "X Rousse", a freewheeling jam with loose-limbed drums and funky chords. It channels the spirit of Moodymann and is sure to bring heat to any party. The final original is "Bagaco"; a bubbly and percussive number underpinned by warm bass stabs. The dynamic groove never rests and raw claps amp up the energy throughout.

Seb Wildblood is a driving force in the South London scene thanks to running Church, All My Thoughts and Coastal Haze. From house to downtempo, leftfield to techno, he has a broad stylistic range that always looks forwards. His remix is a celebratory broken beat workout. It's all about big stabs, soulful smeared chords and cutting loose on the dance floor without a care in the world. Once again, The Saft X series really brings the heat with this fresh EP. More

This summer, Saft welcomes Dubbyman after a three-year hiatus from releasing music. He serves up a gorgeous new EP in the SAFTX series that features a remix from Detroit mainstay FIT Siegel. More

When you find DJ Sotofett and Telephones on remix duties for the mighty Joan Bibiloni it's sure to be a treat. For the 22nd installment in the Saft series, two of Bibiloni's greatest numbers from "Born" (1989), are re-imagined for the occasion.

Sotofett opens up the A-side with an extended version of Bibiloni's "El Sur". Clocking in just under twelve minutes, the so-called "mastermix" is a version in the vein of the extended disco singles from the era of the original. Sotofett's supernatural dancefloor touch centers around Bibiloni's guitar-licks that gently slide along and communicate with the other elements of the original. This is a version to close a night with - or better yet - to close a summer set just before sundown.

The B-side contains a reworked version of "Sa Fosca" by another Norwegian artist: Telephones. "Telephones Coastal Dub", is another lengthy endeavor. The ten (and something) minutes long venture keeps in line with the Mallorcan character of the Bibiloni sound, while giving it a subtle touch of dancefloor, complete with the signature lead of the original as the focal point. The extensive intro and the balance between breeziness and firmness is sharply done More

Ross Ferraro is a seasoned producer from Australia that has been making waves as 1/2th of The Posse, - after a Posse remix on the Pulp side of things, Ross Ferraro now presents his first outing as Rosario on the Saft mothership. "Keep On EP" contains three originals and a remix by Adam Feingold's under his Ex-T moniker.
The title track is a breezy affair that combines crazed synth swirls with oddball disco FX and a tight section of drums which serves as the perfect opening track for this overall outgoing record.
"Ex-T's Phunqy Mix" starts off in a more timid way, but as the name suggests - quickly gets more extrovert and freakish. Vocals and experimental sounding blips and blops take over and cleverly come together in an original fashion.
"Lo" revolves around an tribal sounding chant, chord hits and an array of fx, and quickly becomes - while remaining quite stripped down - the most euphoric track in this collection. The chords sit beautifully with the bouncy drums and evolving arpeggiator that floats on top.
"Follow Me" is a silky smooth work with a soothing vocal and piano sample that work as the main sounds. Rosario is constantly altering the bass sound throughout this cut and creating a modern boogie ambience. The trance inducing synths suggest a relaxing evening atmosphere and cause for "Follow Me" to be the perfect farewell cut. More

After a five year release hiatus, in 2018 Yura Khlop is putting out music under his SE62 alias again. "Jazzed EP" is the second release in the SAFT X series and the Kiev based producer has delivered a class record.
The A-side opening track; "Swing Tool" is built around more jazzed out samples than the other tracks. SE62 cleverly plays original notes together with a hazy sample that serves as the core element. "Jazzed EP" will be available through all specialized retailers in the autumn of 2018. On A2 we find "July". Again a very dance floor oriented record with taints of emotion. The very present chord and bassline dominate the tracks structure until at one point; a beautiful sample is introduced. Positive sounds for lovers of classic deep house.
The title track "Jazzed" is a signature piece of thumping deep house, using swinging MPC style drums and an evolving digital piano riff. This together with some submerged sounding sample shots, create a dance floor worthy ambiance. After "Jazzed", we find "Pitch Black", a sample-heavy jam that is based around a set of characteristic drums. A swinging chord and an infectious chord progression do the trick on this true dance floor record. More

The elusive producer 'Nortasun' hasn't released a record since his debut 'One' through SAFT back in 2016. After two years, it's time for a follow up which is fittingly named 'Two'. The track titles also resume in a fashionable manner with the opening track being titled: 'Untitled 3'. On this track, Nortasun introduces a firm rhythm that is supported by the impossibly beautiful strings that serve as the tracks key element and appear throughout. Next up is the 'AntonZap' remix. AntonZap doesn't do the stereotypical remix take on the original. His version is dub laden, otherworldly, and only implements miniscule pieces from the original take. With just under 7 minutes, the remix version is a true sonic voyage.
on the B-Side, Nortasun takes a more dubbed out approach to modern day house music. 'Untitled 4' is a work of precision. The carefully crafted hats and dub elements sizzle throughout the entire track and help the track morph into a stunning piece of dance floor music around the four minute mark. Nortasun cleverly introduces a thumpientire ng bass that changes up the mood for the work. Nortasun's 'Two' will be available through all specialized retailers just after the summer of 2018. More

Dublin based musician Lerosa has built an impressive discography throughout the years. With his first efforts dating back to 2005 the producer who has a broad palette of sounds has already been around for over 10 years with releases for a vary of respected labels. For the first release on SAFTX , Lerosa hands out a taster of the labels new series ambitions. Vivrant house music is most definitely the back bone of Playa De La Guancha as a whole. The opening is packed with a strapping rhythm section and a vocal cut that is reminiscent of the Trax Records classic House Nation . Julius Steinhoff (of Smallpeople fame) gives Soul Tracing a modern sounding treatment that completely shifts the feel of the original and turns it into an adventurous piece of contemporary electronics. Lerosa opens up the B side with Bruised which is a work out of alternating basslines and brutal machine claps that give the piece a club oriented feel. Acidic sounds cut through the mix with determination and wobbly synth sounds serve as a pleasant sauce for this intergalactic sounding work. Marauder is a hefty bit at a slower tempo than it s predecessors. A loose rhythm section is causing for the listener the focus on the immense LFO threated sounds that float on to and the low down bassline that supports the overall atmosphere in a grounded manner. Playa De La Guancha will be available through all specialized retailers starting early April. More

Taylor Freels has built quite a strong catalog over the years. His work under his Urulu moniker, is widely regarded as top quality deep house and 'The Banshee EP' continues in this fashion. The title track has a dreamlike atmosphere to it. 'The Banshee' is a work that will strike a chord with lovers of the ocean-influenced sounds and hazy atmospheres. A strong presence of strings and dubby sounds, create a certain laidback mood that is perfect for sun drenched days in the park. Chicagoan producer "Garrett David" builds on the hazy atmospheres of the original, while adding some melodic elements to his remix of 'The Banshee' where he cleverly shifts between scales and different moods. 'Quadrant Beat' is a warm track that is built around warm chords and fashionable drum sounds. Again, Urulu makes sure to weave some outgoing dub elements into this b-side opening track. 'Romance Track' is most likely one of the Berlin based producer's most melodic works to date. Beautifully executed piano hits flow together seemingly easy over a sturdy rhythm that serves as the track's backbone. "The Banshee EP" is a work of lush deep house and an excellent addition to both Urulu's repertoire and the SAFT label catalog. More

With Adryiano and Kastil on production duties for their Loskober alias (which first emerged through Soul Notes in 2013) the 15th SAFT release has some serious sounds on it. Apart from the two originals this time around the label has acquired remixes from the likes of 'Keita Sano' and Berlin based Australian 'Andy Hart'. Ranked 38th is a slab of tough disco tainted sample house with tight drums and a catchy phrase to highlight the dance floor nature of the opening track. For the sophomore track Japan native Keita Sano rewords the title track in an original fashion using the main elements while layering this with outlandish percussion and elevating FX. On the B side we find the modern classic sounds of 'Lake Michigan'. This is a piece of dance floor oriented music in the vain of the much appreciated sounds from the motor city heydays. Touching pads collide beautifully with the spacious bassline and the courageous drum work. For the B2 position, Berlin based 'Andy Hart' cleverly reworks the sounds of 'Lake Michigan' to a more contemporary house track without losing the central focus of the appealing bassline. More

When talking about sought after records in House music, Chris Gray's ''Sweetness You Bring'' which was first released through his own ''Deep4life'' imprint in 2000 will definitely come up as a golden grail every now and then. After enquiring about this release SAFT and the artist got the idea to re-issue this classic together with two alternative versions plus a ''Crue'' remix. The outcome is a solid 12''. SAFT13 opens up with an interpretation of ''Sweetness You Bring'' by Chris Gray's very own ''Moonchildren ''project, this version is a somewhat more melodic edit of the original. After this, the highly sought after original version of ''Sweetness You Bring'' comes up. Naturally the EP is built around this track which has proven to be a modern day classic. The Crue remix on the B1 position is a version where the signature vocal cut is being left out and the drums are altered big time which leads to a more dubbish version of the original. Chris Gray's Sultry version of the Title track is definitely the hardest hitting track on this EP altering the total mood with the use of firm built drums and funky organ sounds. More

With the eleventh installment in the SAFT series in place, the label has already celebrated their landmark tenth release. For the new record, the label has some adventurous sampling going on by the likes of "Ian Blevins" and "NY*AK".

Grasscutter EP is a balanced journey through uncanny rhode sounds, samples and lusty vocal cuts. The title track is a mid-paced belter that reminds one of a hazy jazz club, which of course strikes the right chord for a SAFT opening track.

The two producers continue to a more swift tempo with hefty sample use on "Good Feeling", a track that tends to evoke a more euphoric feeling whilst maintaining the overall lush vibe.

"Good Feeling" uses extrovert drums and choppy vocals to lay down a firm atmosphere. The B1 track "Work it Out" returns to a slower pace where Square basses are gently placed on top of shuffling drum patterns that subtly guide the vocal sample that is treated with a wash of delay.

New York based "DJ Nature" reworks "Work it out" with the use of a glidng bassline and some snappy piano chords. SAFT11 will be available through all good electronic music retailers starting December 2015. More

SAFT10 is a boogie infused record by Grodno Based producer 'Four Walls'. Seemingly effortless the Belorussian newcomer to the SAFT family knits up an ecstatic wash of synths, pads and modish drum patterns. The opening track 'Limits' takes one into orbit with it's psychedelic synth sequences and moody rhodes. The track begins to ride half way which caters for an euphoric vibe in any setting, club and at home. The A side follow up continues in a more positive fashion on Electronic Side. Bright rhodes are alternating with sublime synth sounds and advanced drum programming. SAFT Regular 'Paula King 'joins' Four Walls' on the summertime hymne, 'Time To Shine'. This is a true house track with positive vibrations, reminiscent of some early 2000 Garage anthems. Chicagan of Rush Hour fame 'Vincent Floyd' twists things round on the B2. His rework for 'Time To Shine' revolves around characteristics but lush synth work that tempers the euphoric mood of the original and gives it some bite. More

Versatile Parisian Jay Ka, offers a slow dripping slice of deepness to the SAFT following. With the help of Paula King on vocals, title track Only Grace is a reminiscent anthem with strong vocals supported by lush chords and smokey rhode hits. As a real single should, this package also offers 3 interpretations of the original. With remixes by Briton NY*AK and Atlanta situated Kai Alce, this SAFT output should grab your full attention easily. Where NY*AK's rework maintains a more repetitive vibe with nicely timed vocal cuts, Kai Alce's 'Late Night' interpretation recalls classic vocal-house reworks from the glory days of extended 12inch mixes. As usual for a complete single like this, an instrumental version of Kai Alce's rework is included. More

Gear appreciating Italian 'Giorgio Luceri' enters the SAFT dome with the machine driven 'Liger EP'. On the opening track 'Liger' Giorgio cleverly paints an elusive ambiance using jumbled drums and an appealing bassline together with a continual synthline that nicely sits on top of the serene pads that give rise to an intense atmosphere. The B1 side opens with similar soothing pads that gradually change when the immense bassline and full bodied kick drum come in. Giorgio again creates a somewhat adverse vibe which helps to give it a hint of lushness. For the B2, Chicago legend 'Gene Hunt' contributes with a massive percy remix for 'Liger'. A lot of drum action is present in this club oriented (yet deep) roller. As far as remixes go, Gene Hunt proves to be a craftsman of high stature. SAFT06 will be available from all good retailers from late January 2014. More