Brazza - Omphaloskepsis [Insomniafm Records]

[Giuli]

Brazza - Omphaloskepsis

There are few producers who've been as prolific as Brazza. Perhaps this bottomless well of ideas could explain why every one of the Serbian's collaborations we have heard seems to show far more. The cascading, sequential chords of "Omphaloskepsis" frequently used in ascending varieties as well. Its bell-like tones remain the focus by dint of no-nonsense percussion, there's little time wasted on clever syncopation, with a muffled kick and skipping hats providing a simple rhythm.

John Ov3rblast remix is a little more complex, using a nifty glitch effect to squeeze extra interest out of the upper frequencies. At times, this results in a tortured, 303-like squeal, sans the liquid feel. This is a track that seems to perfectly capture that woozy 9 AM dance where Sunday still seems to stretch infinitely ahead.

Meanwhile, Franzis-D remix downsizes the lead in order to accomodate wavering pads. It's strangely dichotomous, the lead a searing pulse and the rest soft and cuddly. This time the hook has a circular quality, rolling endlessly along and mutating as it goes. It also shows more regard for the dance floor, using big, fuzzy synths to shift through gentle peaks and troughs.

T-Dallas remix turns in a lovingly backward looking EP for "Omphaloskepsis", which sits somewhere in between experimental tech and just plain experimental, fits lovely chords underneath its wiring, no doubt trying to lull you into thinking that everything will be OK if you simply submit to the machine.

Flush with bells, piano, synth pads and a jittery arpeggio reminiscent of the John Veis remix is a languid rhythmic purpose to keep bodies moving through a warm-up set; the sharpness of the drums strikes a balance with the smoothness of the song's harmonies, like thorns against rose petals.

Fyono remix is the mood somewhere between bittersweet and tentatively optimistic, it's emo as anything, but it never resorts to breast-beating, most driving cut, thanks to skipping hi-hats and kinetic handclap patter, although "driving" isn't really the right word for a song that settles in like an extended swoon.

Listen: here

Tracklist:
Omphaloskepsis (Original Mix)
Omphaloskepsis (John Ov3rblast Remix)
Omphaloskepsis (Franzis-D Remix)
Omphaloskepsis (T-Dallas Remix)
Omphaloskepsis (John Veis Remix)
Omphaloskepsis (Fyono Remix)

Label: Insomniafm Records
Cat: IFMR030
Release: October 12th 2011
Style: Tech House