REVIEW Data Memory Access ‘Hi-Tee EP’ [Craigie Knowes]

Fresh off the back of their excellent Yearning For Cobalt album on Moods & Waves, the Italian duo Data Memory Access land on the irrepressible Craigie Knowes, a label which has firmly stamped itself at the heart of all that is great about eclectic electronic club music. 

Their Hi-Tee EP goes directly into fifth gear here, with the super-chunky Woodwind. The title may lure you into a misguided belief that this will be some kind of noodly jazz affair, but there isn’t any actual woodwind present. What is present is a combination of deep thundering bass, spaced-out synth riffs, skippy-yet-tough drums and a lovely subtle acid line which rears its head every so often through the track. As opening tracks on EPs go, this is definitely one to kick you into action.

The A2 on this 12″ is aptly titled Euphoria, a peak-time club slammer, built around old-school-referencing drums, a bassline so low it’s almost in another dimension, plus brilliantly placed vocal snips – one a futuristic robo-vox, the other a clipped female vocal used almost as an extra synth sound. A nagging and relentless stabby filtered vibe kicks in to lift the track again, allowing a fantastic build to the breakdown. Euphoric this definitely is, as superb cut to take the energy of the crowd to a whole new level. 

Anthem is the B-side opener, which has a more stripped-back vibe compared to the A-side closer, yet still packs a massive punch. Staccato rhythms are balanced against an uplifting bassline, the drums here are set back in the mix, allowing the main riffs and bassline to be the real features on display.

The title track is the B2 EP closer and it’s worth the wait – Moroder-esque bass, various vocal clips referring to technology, tight and punchy drums holding everything together like an audio-glue, this is absolutely brilliant. Very much dance music for the hips, not for the arm-waving, the track rattles along without straying too far from the bass/drums/vox central theme, but with electronic FX sounds weaving their way in and out of the track for that extra mechanical vibe. A truly brilliant closing track for what is an excellent and varied EP. 

Data Memory Access’ Hi-Tee EP is available on Craigie Knowes.

Words by Al Bradley  

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Published by Al Bradley

I got my Technics 1200s in 1991 and what was expected to be a short-lived bit of fun has gone on to be the central thread in my life. Starting out playing at parties around my home town of Manchester, I like to feel I have progressed to become an established vinyl DJ, regularly playing around the UK and Europe, playing sets of up to 8 hours, showcasing my love of all things electronic. Moving into production in 2006, I have featured on both vinyl and digital labels worldwide, with a reputation for eclecticism and creating tracks and remixes which cover a broad range of sounds, never wanting to repeat a style or stick to a set formula and taking in influences absorbed since starting to buy electronic vinyl beats in the mid-80s. I also have run the label 3am Recordings since 2003. Inspired by the Northern UK house and electronic scene and particularly labels such as 2020Vision, Paper Recordings, Toko and Glasgow Underground, I have always aimed for 3am to be a showcase for artists with no boundaries. This is because I have always felt the artists provide their best work when left to do what they feel is right, with no attempt to go with whatever is currently fashionable – fads will always appear and then disappear, but the central thread running through house music always remains the heartbeat of deep bass, solid kicks and a dancefloor-focus, regardless of the tempo. Over the years, the label has supported a wide range of producers, some whose debut releases were on 3am, while others have been well-respected artists whose music has featured in sets and on dancefloors for many years. This combination has allowed the label to remain truly underground and equally on-point, a case proven when the label was asked to host its 10th birthday event at fabric in 2013. Since 2003, the label has been booked for events around the world, including Berlin, Chicago, Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Helsinki, alongside regular events throughout the UK. In the digital age, where everybody is battling to bombard people with a constant flow of information, 3am remains true to its roots by simply and quietly pushing fantastic electronic music on vinyl for DJs and dancefloors, no constant fanfare required. Quality is the key; I believe that is what gives a label longevity and integrity, allowing it to stand out from the noise. For all 3am Recordings label parties, or to book Al for a gig or track/remix, email al.bradley@3amrecordings.com

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