Sounds like Softly. The sounds that can be heard at ClubSoftly events were hard to find until Softly branched into vinyl world with the launch of Softly Recordings.

The first EP is due in July 2002 and introduces four new artists, in keeping with Softly's wish to cultivate and promote new creativity.

Diversity delves deep with this EP, from narco- ambient dub offerings from Gaia, art- core electro from Ms Heidi Mortenson to bass twitchers Slackers Delight and a hip-hop funk groover from Digital One.

Slacker's Delight, the frequency freaks from Birmingham turn it up with their first track Forgive me, which pays adulating homage at the altar of groove. There second, Seahorses, Crisp drum beats an infectious rolling bass line and cheeky vocals add up to a godsend of a tune for summer. Slackers consist of Bowen Watt and Ollie Humpidge who have hosted and mosted events around the Midlands for ten years.

Gaia opens the aural alchemy with their tune T.H.C. Gaia are a four piece operation consisting of bass, drums sax and guitar.

Reluctant spokesman Justin Reynolds started on drums in 1984 and has since worked in different bands before becoming a production maestro. Previous releases include the album Digitalis. T.H.C offers calmative grooves, invoking serene summer moods. Future projects include a collaboration track with the Orb's Cache.

Sometimes Heidi Mortenson sings songs about neurotic miners, and makes them sound uber-funky. This EP offering from Ms Mortensen however is on a less tearful tip and gives an electro-grind up that intrigues and enthuses from start to finish. Timestretch is Heidi's first release with Softly. Djing in Barcelona for the past five years in clubs like Moog and Error, Heidi has become renowned for her passion for subliminal, minimal electro. Purist's rejoice!

Digital One finally throws his hat in the ring with Lizards at Play. Having started writing music in 1995 and found success providing soundtracks to many skate /surf videos, it is now time to release on vinyl. Hotly tipped by Ministry magazine to rank along side the likes of Herbalizer, Howie B and other such acts that inspired his work. With the help of Quantic on guitar, Lizards at Play is as good a place to start as any. Look out for his first full solo release later this year on softly recordings.

Softly Recordings is an artist led collective whose motive is music and momentum.