Friday, 28 November 2014

Deya Dova 'Symbiotic Re-mixes' Review



Artist: Deya Dova


Title: Symbiotic Re-mixes


Label: Desert Trax


Released: 24th November




"Hailing from the expansive Nullarbor desert in Australia and currently based in the Byron Bay area, it is like Singer Producer DEYA DOVA fell out of the stars on an ancient piece of space rock. One of the few female electronic producers and a ground breaking vocalist recording live at sacred sites, Deya Dova fuses the earthy human-ness and sensual power of her voice with the cutting edge futurism of Global Bass music Synthesizing ancient Songlines / Tribal voices and evocative Story telling with Cinematic soundscapes, Whomping bass, textural Glitch and Totemic beats, Deya Dova invokes a mythic temple vibe and brings euphoric tribalism to the dance floor."

I first came across the name on the Desert Dwellers 'Night Visions' compilation and having no concept of sex or nationality decided to dig a little deeper. Eventually, 'Symbiotic' was released and the track that caught my attention was 'Footsteps in the Stars'. Now make what you will of the media press release above. I for one couldn't deny the powerful and at times alluring vocal that sprang out of the native American indian like chants.

This release begins with Temple Step Project & Dakini's re-mix of said track. They certainly produce a grittier version with a deep and dirty bass that would shake any sound system speakers. I like this version but feel it suits that environment more as it slightly distracts from the vocal compared to the original for a laid back chill.

Next up is fellow Australian 'Whitebear' with his take on 'Skyroarer' where the vocals although still tribal take a more melodic and mantra like twist. Once the beat kicks in it skips along like a kangaroo encouraged by a musical accompaniment of Aborigines. Which provides a lovely soundscape when the vocals return.

Now I wasn't as taken with the original of 'Symbiotic' as I was with 'Footsteps in the Stars' and was slightly bemused it was the title track of the single. However, San Fran based Scott Sterling a.k.a. Drumspyder has injected some new life into it with his brand of Darbuka fuelled electronica and it blends together so perfectly I have a new found love for this track.

Now I haven't really paid much attention to the Trap scene so I'm not really in a postion to compare the Dancing Tiger Tribal Trap re-mix of 'Bone Dance' to other tracks of that genre. What I can say is the drum pounds and the voice is vocodered and there's a lot of changes between stabby bass notes, panning synths and toying with the vocals it's not really to my taste but that's probably me showing my age.

The e.p. finishes with another producer from down under Kalya Scintalla on the re-mix duties. This piece begins in a light and airy fashion but once he gets his grip on things the intricate drum rhythms behind inject a tribal dance passage or two to help out the toe tappers and rump shakers amongst us.

Reviewed by Woodzee




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