One fab disc makes this an essential prog pick-up
Richard Diaz | 06/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bil Hamel's another name in the long list of highly accomplished producer/DJs who've been toiling for over a decade relatively below the radar, though mark that up to the underground nature of American dance culture. After a string of singles and remixes, his successful Sunkissed and Teknology labels, and a choice Nokturnel Mix set on Topaz Records, he lands volume three of the up-and-coming Australian produced Balance series.
Disc one shows his interests lie in irrepressibly funky, upbeat work, from the opening chug along of Darko "Phased" - teasing a breakdown to silence - to the infectious tribal loops of Lula "The DJ, The Music, and Me," with a rightfully freaky Peace Division vocal mix. Getting better, the spaced out trance-breaks dub of Way Out West "Mindcircus" and wow-inducing bassline of Hipp-e "Primary Funktion" follow. This is big room, big speaker stuff with grade-A tracks, a reminder of why you fell for progressive music in the first place. Add in a personalized revision of Lamb's "Gorecki" and the soft, dreamy closer Barraka "Song to the Siren," for what'll easily contend for best sets of 2002.But...then there's disc two, which is unremarkable, indistinguishable trance. It's hard to detect any noticeable appeal to Mike G "Bellslut" or Gardner & Thomas "Control." Little Green Men "Need" is an ill at ease blend of garage diva vocal power and hard beats. Tilt does whip up a doozy in "Headstrong" by combining seriously window-rattling bass offset by waif-like whispers, but ultimately this hour is relegated to one-play curiosity."
Sheeding New Light on Progressive House...
Richard Candelieri | Pompano Beach, Florida | 05/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently purchased this 2 cd set and was apprehensive at first. Once I heard it, I HAD TO write a review. As someone who has purchased literally hundreds of progressive mixed cd's and have to say that this one is FLAWLESS!! Some of the songs Bill Hamel chose were not exactly new to the circuit, but once you let this cd fly, you'll see what I mean. The mixes are dead on, the production and execution of the tracks are wonderful. It takes you all over the place with peaks and valleys and some euphoric segues. If you have any doubts about buying this, DON'T!! But if that doesn't tempt you enough, ... After listening to it 5x in 2 days, I would have spent 4x as much. TIP: Also worthy of purchasing is Progressive UK Sessions Vol. 1 by DJ Robert Oleysyck. It is eqaully perfectly mixed and the tracks are so sweet you might have to go to the dentist after you hear it. It is one of those mixes that you can hit the floor or just kick back and really really listen to. I had reviewed it but it never posted. I just checked and you can get it for less than $... in new condition.. Check it out.. buy them both...it'll be worth it, believe me..."
