artist.artist

Saafi Brothers

artist.totalReleases

Saafi Brothers is a German "fusion electronica" trance/ambient/downtempo/liquid dub project formed circa 1996 by Gabriel Le Mar with Frankfurt-based producers Michael Kohlbecker and (Groovetitan). As a "community project," Saafi Brothers had a varying cast of collaborators over the years, including Alex Azary and ; however, Gabriel Le Mar and Michael Kohlbecker are the sole permanent members. Saafi Brothers extensively performed live throughout their career, participating in many prestigious festivals, such as , , , , and Tribal Gathering. In March 2022, Saafi Brothers released its 7th studio album, [m=2555195]. The band's debut release, [m=28932], came out in November 1997 on the British label Blue Room Released, with 3xLP package and several CD editions available. Established by a British designer with financial backing from , Blue Room Released was the first "audiophile" label that brought underground electronic music (acts like , , or ) to the Hi-Fi forefront, challenging the monopoly of classical, opera and jazz repertoire as traditional "reference" genres. Between 1997 and '99, Saafi Brothers released three 12" EPs at BRR. In June 2000, they produced the second full-length album, [m=28937] CD/2xLP, distributed overseas via the label's California-based division. Saafi Brothers remixed other artists, including pioneers of German hip-hop , British new wave poet , Swedish ambient project and renowned German club music duo . The band regularly appeared on the German TV show "," which gained a cult following broadcasted at "chillout zones" at mid-90s raves. In March 2003, Saafi Brothers returned with a third album, [m=28942] CD/2xLP, featuring a more dance-oriented sound and released by the band's newly-created joint / label, distributed by EFA and promoted under brand. In 2007, the band's fourth album [m=737054] came out, jointly released by in Germany and in USA. Saafi Brothers continued "fusion" experiments, blending multiple genres and working with the band's early member, Alex Azary, and a duo of traditional Persian musicians. In February 2014, Saafi Brothers produced [r=5457943] album, recorded live at the Bunker/Frankfurt studio and initially available as a digital-only release from Danish trance label . The release featured vocals based on 's lyrics and several guest members: on various electronic devices, Groovetitan on modular synths, and playing dilrupa (traditional Indian bowed instrument). In May 2015, "Live on the Roadblog" was reissued on CD in the United States by as an inaugural release for the series; the limited edition of 300 copies came in Digipak with an 8-page booklet designed by Simon Ghahary, Saafi's first label boss. The reissue included a bonus track, "Moving Crossroads," also available as a digital EP with four remixes from Gabriel's private imprint, . In 2017, Saafi Brothers got signed by a renowned UK label LSD (sister of ), which presented the band's sixth full-length studio digital/CD album, [m=1200064]. A collection of remixes accompanied the release, with Part 1 and Part 2 available in various digital formats on the label's Bandcamp. In May 2019, Saafi Brothers and LSD released a collection of remixes from the band's debut album, [m=1647982], available digitally and on CD in a 4-panel "digisleeve." In February 2021, a limited edition 12" EP followed with four selected remixes by LSD's label boss Martin "Youth" Glover, , (a.k.a. DM-Theory), and Swiss-based artist .