Discemi "Data Sapiens"

Of late, a label that´s been really grabbing my attention in terms of releases is Radio Slave´s own Rekids which was founded only last year. While there are far too many labels that tend to play safe and release tracks that are of a tried and tested criteria, there are a few such as Rekids that managed to discover tunes that are a bit left of the centre in sound but very much steeped in the dance side of things. Their latest release in the guise of Discemi´s ´Data Sapiens´ is another example of a how a tune can be both slightly quirky in sound but still retain that all important dancefloor appeal.

The original mix of ´Data Sapiens´ begins coyly on a minimal beat before a warm melody is slowly drawn in. It´s this particular melody that is consistent throughout and keeps the overall feel of the track very grounded and on a murky underbelly. With varying chord riffs soon introduced, the tempo of the track starts to pick up as the intensity of the track climbs at a nice pace. While an upper-pitched melody begins to weave in and around the various sounds, the track picks up pace again and really comes into its own as one of those compositions that is a slow burner. The initial breakdown has a droplet like effect that reminds me of David Bowie´s ´Ashes To Ashes´, which I found very surprising but very enjoyable. Throughout the duration of ´Data Sapiens´, the track builds up and down while at varying points introducing slight sound effects that add another layer to this intriguing tune. This is definitely a track that defies classification. While steeped in the deeper side of the sound spectrum, it´s structured in a very progressive manner while maintaining a minimal tone. In short, it´s everything yet nothing exact, all at the same. As such, it´s one of the more interesting tunes to be released this year.

The accompanying Radio Slave remix of ´Data Sapiens´ is something that I can only describe as an opus as it runs for just over 12 minutes which is nearly twice as long as the original. While I normally squirm at such long remixes as I feel the majority of the time they are unnecessary and do the original absolutely not justice, here I think it almost works. Kicking things off on a much deeper note, the main melody from the original has been reworked into an almost warped sound that´s longingly dragged into the track. The overlapping pinpoint melody that was a main feature of the original now has a horn like sound thus making it the central attraction to this version of ‘Data Sapiens´. That murky underlying melody that kept the previous version so grounded is still present but has taken on a more background feel. While I enjoyed the original immensely, it´s this Radio Slave remix that has given this tune a lot of grunt. While it is quite long – maybe just a little too long – over the course of its duration, the track nicely evolves as it grows in volume and intensity then dipping back down before climbing back up and continuing to evolve. While I thought the original was on the murky tip of house, this is just down right evil! I can just this turning a lot of heads inside out in a club environment. Love it!

All in all, ´Data Sapiens´ by Discemi is a very enjoyable and interesting release. Both the original and the Radio Slave remix are something that I really can´t define in terms of sound, which in the end is a very good thing. While the original is the simpler, more melodic of the two compositions on this release, it´s the Radio Slave remix that really stands out with its low guttural growl throughout which adds a certain intensity to the track that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A highly recommended release for those who like their house music to be more on the obtuse side of the sound spectrum.