Artist: Discemi
Title: Data Sapiens
Label: Rekids
By: Antonella Sirec | 7 May 2007
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Radio Slave Mix

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.