There’s something special about a track that feels just as right in a quiet afternoon playlist as it does when the lights go down and the floor starts moving. Team Salut’s new single “Take Me Up” does exactly that. The South London Afro-electronic duo have returned with a warm, stripped-back groove that sits comfortably between Tribal / Afro House, Deep House and Chill House, and it lands at a moment when Afro House is very much having its global moment.
The production keeps things intentionally lean. African-rooted percussion and steady house grooves form the backbone, while warm melodic elements and an infectious vocal hook float on top. Nothing feels overcrowded. The energy is chilled but never sleepy, the kind of record that works for daytime driving, late-evening wind-downs, or those early dancefloor moments when people are still finding their rhythm. It’s laid-back without losing the pull that makes you want to stay in the pocket.
That balance makes perfect sense once you look at who’s behind it. Team Salut are producer-artists Kojo P and Aponchi Da Goat. Emerging from South London’s creative scene, the pair have long specialised in fusing Afrobeats, tropical rhythms, popular music and futuristic club textures into something that feels both rooted and forward-looking. Their track record is serious: the international hit “Dance for Me” with Eugy and Mr Eazi, production on Afro B’s “Drogba (Joanna)” and Yxng Bane’s “Vroom,” plus remixes and collaborations with names like Burna Boy, Rita Ora, Emeli Sandé, Tove Lo, Anne-Marie, WizKid, French Montana and more. They’ve collected platinum, gold and silver plaques along the way, and their 2023 single “WOW” even soundtracked Apple’s iPhone 15 campaign. When artists with that kind of range decide to lean into a smoother, more atmospheric side of their sound, the results tend to feel considered rather than experimental for the sake of it.
“Take Me Up” continues that pattern of versatility. Where earlier work often leaned into high-energy Afrobeats and club anthems, this one prioritises warmth and space. The African percussion elements give it that unmistakable tribal flavour, the deep house undercurrent keeps the groove grounded, and the overall chill factor makes it playlist-friendly without sacrificing dancefloor potential. In a year when Afro House has been widely recognised as one of the dominant forces in electronic music, a record like this feels timely. It doesn’t chase the biggest drop or the hardest percussion pattern; it trusts the groove and the melody to do the work.
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Team Salut have already shown they can move between high-energy anthems and more reflective, groove-focused records. “Take Me Up” is a strong example of the latter. If you like your house music with African roots, a bit of warmth and room to breathe, this one is worth a few listens. What do you think of the direction they’re taking here? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
