In Silico

Deepsky

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 5, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kinetic Records
• ASIN: B00005V8PK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,102 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
L.A. residents by way of New Mexico, Deepsky's producer-scenesters J. Scott Giaquinta and Jason Blum have fashioned a bubbly techno/trance full-length debut, channeling Nick Warren, Sandra Collins, and other DJs of their dreamy ilk. As already evinced by their late '90s dance-floor hit Stargazer, the Deepsky enjoy a throbbing woofer, punishing the bottom end with abandon to match their fruity melodies. The resulting workouts take a few odd detours (mostly around vocal numbers like "Smile," in which the fusion seems a bit forced), but when it hits its stride, In Silico is delicious. The opener, "View from a Stairway," is an early-morning jet-ski on Lake Tahoe, while the superb, Underworld-like "Ride," already a firm favorite on the international DJ circuit, is a pure, V8-powered daze inducer. A true West Coast techno trance release, In Silico has some great moments that bode well for a more consistent sophomore effort. --Steffan Chirazi

From URB Magazine
It's about time someone gave BT a serious run for his money. Fellow Los Angeles-based transplants Jason Blum and J. Scott Gianquinta (aka Deepsky) are about to do just that. With In Silico, the group's first full-length effort, the duo (originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico) put their decade-long tenure in dance-directed production into practice, creating an amalgamation of genres that are determined to set dance floors alight.

The group had some minor success a few years ago when the fledgling MTV dance music show AMP borrowed their early track "Tempest" as the program's theme. And leading progressive and trance DJs including Nick Warren and former collaborator Sandra Collins (they produced the "Red"/"Ode to Our" single with her) have championed the outfit's tunes for years. In Silico maintains those lofty panoramic standards from its opening track, "View From a Stairway," a breezy breaks-inspired jaunt that features Spanish guitar styling from one of Gianquinta's relatives. The duo nudge ever so slightly into gothic electronic rock territory on "Smile," borrowing ex-Republica frontwoman Saffron for vocal duties. Deepsky's pop sensibilities run rampant on the drum & bass inspired "Mansion World." A worldly trance tinge inspires "Cosmic Dancer (2002 remix)," creating hearty dance floor fodder.

While their genre hopping may elicit red flags from purists, Deepsky (like BT) manage to hop along rather well, allowing them a wider range of appeal. It may have taken ten years for this effort to surface, but it's that very variety that will keep Deepsky fresh for years to come.

Jolie Lash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best electronic debut in quite some time., June 19, 2004

By	Trevor C. Cook (Fort Benning, GA) - See all my reviews

Deepsky (J. Scott G. and Jason Blum) present us now with their debut album, In Silico (named as something of a tribute to their almost exclusive use of software "silicon" synthesizers). And it's a fine act.

This CD is crisp, clean, sharper than a straight razor. Given how poorly mixed (in the sound level sense) most CDs are these days, In Silico is an aural treat. Everything, from the clarity of the stereo seperation to the audible range of the audio is fantastic. In Silico features some gut-moving lows, some soft, dreamy mids, and some incredible highs. Everything seems to be exactly in its place, leaving everything from the deepest bass to the slightest digital effects sounding clearer than you've probably ever heard them. It's quite something.

The music is quite something too. View From A Stairway is the perfect opening for the album, and a classy introduction into Deepsky's production style. The Mansion World is wonderfully trippy number, while Ride is an an uplifting and catchy track of a quality not heard since the heydays of Underworld. Atia's soft melody contrasts its killer breakbeats perfectly, while Cosmic Dancer will get anybody moving with its subwoofer-breaking bass and almost tribal flavor. Until The End Of The World is a dramatic soundscape of epic proportions.

There are only a handful of issues with this album. The first is the song Smile, the only vocal track, featuring Saffron. The instrumental side is great, but the vocals feel decidedly forced, leaving it with an off-balance feel. The second issue is that the majority of the songs take quite some time to reach their individual peaks and climaxes, leaving you waiting through as many as 3 minutes of beats and build-ups before you get to the melody and real movement of the song. In a 5-6 song, you spend half your time waiting, and this isn't the best approach. That said, the end result is ALWAYS worth the wait on this album.

In Silico is the best debut I've heard since The Crystal Method's Vegas, and shares many similarities with the Method's masterpiece. Energetic, kinetic, and very, very electronic (Don't expect any Dirty Vegas or recent BT "crossover" styled works here), In Silico is a clean, precise album that just happens to get almost everything right. Mixed with a level of attention and filled with layers of detailing that rival BT, Deepsky's baby is a stellar addition to the electronic world, and an instant classic.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Come on and take a ride on the rays of the sun.", January 6, 2004

By	"pizzadeliveryguy" (Coral Springs, FL) - See all my reviews

Deepsky rocks. Man, does Deepsky rock. After listening to the utter garbage that BT's Emotional Technology was, and the depressingly "4-star" Reflections from Paul van Dyk (I use the term depressing in the sense that PVD's previous work has always been 5-star perfection), I was beginning to think electronic music was losing its edge. I was beginning to think it was selling out to the mainstream. Thankfully, In Silico proves me wrong.

Everything in this album is sharp as a razor. The mixing is superb, with no bloated bass or overly harsh treble; the sound levels are exactly where they should be. Also, the original CD has the bonus of being recorded in 24-bit 48kHz glory while most CDs are recorded in 16-bit 44.1kHz. To most listeners, the difference won't be audible, but for those on high end hi-fi systems, you're in for a treat, while your system is in for a shocking test: This CD jumps all over the sound spectrum, with insanely tight and deep bass, subtle mids and unbelievably clear highs and effects. The overall production value of this CD is outstanding, giving it a high-quality and professional sound.

But BT's Emotional Technology had nice production values too so let's get on to the important stuff: the music. From the moment View From A Stairway begins to come out of your speakers and into your room, you know you've got something special here. Deepsky seems to have done the impossible with this CD: They've created a sound that's both timeless and classical sounding while adding their own creative styling to the package. Listening to tracks like Ride will remind you of the golden days of Underworld, but never once will you forget that this is Deepsky you're listening to. It's both familiar and fresh at the same time, a rarity in music these days.

There are only two flaws in Deepsky's album debut. The first is the song Smile, where vocalist Saffron's singing feels decidedly forced and out of place. The second is the fact that Deepsky takes their sweet time to get their songs going, and while the end is worth it, it is an annoyance to have to sit through two minutes of build-up in every single track.

In Silico is an "in your face" wake-up call to the top-dogs of the electronic world, a message that lazy remixes and uninspired commercial follow-ups will not be tolerated. It's a dance album that while endlessly danceable never forgets that it's supposed to be easy on the ears. Sharp acoustics, pleasing harmonies and a creative twist on classic dance makes this CD an insant classic in itself, establishes Deepsky as a true force to be reckoned with. Like Way Out West (Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff), Deepsky (J. Scott G. and Jason Blum) is a sonic powerhouse that never ceases to amaze and has a bright future ahead.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING CD, March 17, 2003

By	"djloue" (New Orleans , LA USA) - See all my reviews

I remember when I first heard about Deepsky it was 1998 and i was just 12 years old. my freind was a dj and he had this 12' vinyl called Deepsky - Tempest 98' after listening to that song I became a very big fan of Deepsky i would go to the store and grab anything that had Deepsky on it without listening to it and their live PA's are just awsome I saw them for my very first time last year and they rocked the house no one was disapointed what really amazed me was that they played their remix of Sasha -Wavy Gravy man when they played that song the whole crowd was in full BLISS they never released that remix on vinyl. this cd is an Amazing cd from Prog. Breaks ,Drum & Bass, Prog. House & trance this cd has it all I've been a fan of Deepsky for 6 years and they have never let me down favorite tracks View From A Stairway,Jareth's Church,Ride,3 Sheets To The Wind,...