Search - Sos :: Balance 013

Sex on Substance? Sure.

Michael Mcmahon | Norristown, Pa | 04/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow this triple disc totally rules the world once again proving that Desyn Masiello is a pimp. The reason why this disc is so good as it can stand the test of multiple listens. It does this better then any disc I have heard this year. Disc 1 is the slowest of the three with Disc 3 being the peak time disc. Disc 3 is also the best in my opinion. You just can't beat the ending on Disc 3 (if you enjoyed Desyn's Balance Ending, you know what I mean).



So disc 1 starts with a thunderstorm beginning and really picks up a nice slow groove. Anyone familiar with Luke Fair and Desyn know this sound with the infectuous bass grooves and sounds of a distorted guitar all while sounding like someone is playing the drums. That's why it is awesome for repeat listens, because of the uniqueness of the sounds and ever changing sounds throughout. Then right when you think they are just going to play the same old set, they really change things up on you and get a real spaced out feel about 15 minutes in. Very nice chill sound. The slow beats have all the quirkiness that came with Luke Fair's Balance which is just a pleasant sound. The mixing is unrecognizable and flawless. Just a real great first album with tons of character. I find it tough to compare this release to anything that is out today as it's style is truly a style all by itself. Don't worry if at first listen Disc 1 isn't you favorite as I can't say anything bad about it at this point, and I am currently listening to it as I write this review. There are fast parts and there are chill out parts, creating an overall just grooving mix, that is in a sound of its own. You can hear all the dj's working there magic on this one. Sure this disc is a great setup disc for what is to come, but it also stands alone in pure genius. What is great about disc 1 is it leaves all that repetitive crap to the dust, as each song has its own signature sound and is completely distinctive. There are moments where it zooms out then it will just come right back in with a new style of funk. For example when they go from Chymera's Umbrella to Imagination's Illusion. This cd might have the chance of being looked over but it has a great deal of character. By the time you hear all the saxes and the groove going with Brian Ferry's Don't stop the Dance you will know if you liked the cd. When I first listened to this cd I gave it a 3 out of 5. I now give it a 4.5 out of 5 after my third listen for its complete originality and superb mixing. The closest cd this cd resembles is Agoria's ATC Disc 2 (although I would give Agoria's Disc 2 a 5 out of 5)



Disc 2 starts the same way Disc 1 left off which is fun. Disc 2 picks up the pace a little bit and creates a more seemless mix. As disc 1 was attempting to jam pack a mix with 18 tracks, Disc 2 goes with the 12 track setup and therefore gives the disc a more seemless mix feel. Disc 2 also keeps that house feel throughout the disc. AS i have loved about all of Dusty Kid's tracks Luna is a real stunner. This mix takes a while to get going for me but once you get about 30-35 mintues in, it really takes on some nice tracks. After this you are just smooth sailing, just going along for the ride. This disc was my least favorite. 4 out of 5 due to the beginning. The ending gets a 5 out of 5.



Disc 3 This is the best disc in this set. Has all the features of Disc 1 and Disc 2 combined. Really delivers on probably the most solid cd I have heard this year. Disc 3 is also a cd that you can listen to over and over again and just be like, did I hear a trumpet in there. You know what is about to be unleashed here. Set your expectations where they should be and take a listen here, then take another listen as this disc will get better with age. These guys are setting the bar here. 5 out of 5 for sure. I gave the album 5 out of 5. Appreciate it's uniqueness. It will be up there with the best albums of the year. Sorry so long.





"

The Power of Three

LexAffection | Philadelphia, PA USA | 06/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The SOS collective, the epic combination of DJs Demi, Desyn Masiello and Omid 16B, tackle the thirteenth release in the increasingly impressive Balance compilation series. Their work spans three discs, fifty-six tracks and three hours, fifty-one minutes and eighteen seconds - but two years after their smash three-hour Essential Mix for Radio 1, does SOS live up to its reputation?



The first mix's blend of modern and vintage EDM moves easily and lingers sweetly. And judging by the ominously thunderous (literally) intro "Seagull," it is fair to say that this mix is the ultimate `calm before the storm.' SOS weave a spectacularly diverse yet calming tapestry for the ears, blending one truly sublime track after another together. From "Gliding (Hypnotherapy)" to "Slow River" and past "Starstrings (Instrumental)," the whole sequence feels like a dream - a dream which, to my ears, comes to a head with a massive eight-track sequence - one of the best I've heard on any album of 2008 - beginning with Imagination's "Just An Illusion (Lindstrom Dub) (SOS Edit)" and ending, properly, with The Cure's "Lullaby." In this case to hear is to believe, though - and, at any rate, the SOS Edit of Bryan Ferry's "Don't Stop The Dance (12" Remix)" is... brilliant! The first mix of Balance 013 proves to be one of 2008's best.



Apparently, there is limit to the scope SOS is willing to encompass with Balance 013. And I suppose if Demi, Omid and Desyn can use one blinding track to close one fantastic mix disc, why not edit the track to open the following mix? The Cure's "Lullaby" serves precisely this function. It works so well, but it takes Dusty Kid's "Luna" to truly propel the second disc's bubbly springtime buds into full blossom. I'm convinced this is progressive house music done right. The second mix has a lot of tracks that can be described as wild, enthusiastic representations of what was thrown down at SOS' album launch parties in Miami during WMC. I'll never fail to remember blue skies and gentle water when I hear this mix - But SOS proves its ability to pace a mix collection of this magnitude/length. The DJs even manage to inject minimal tech-house with Ink & Needle's "Six" > Middleman's "Dum Dum" before swinging back into "Big Fun (Edit)" and Joeski's superb "Caribe Elektrico (Outer Limits Mix)" - both revive the boat party atmosphere. The second mix, however fun and diverse, makes no attempt to cast a shadow over the other two discs. Instead, it is a rather bright and bouncy steppingstone between the first and third mixes, with flavor from each mixed together in perfect proportion and gently closing with "Logos."



You heard it here first - disc three is off the HOOK! In my mind, Balance 013's third mix embodies the concept surrounding the formation of a collective like SOS. Desyn, Demi and Omid drop sick beats, sleazy house, twisted funk and explosive rhythms! The live, anthemic qualities of "Salome" indicate great things to come but are hardly capable of capturing the whole image. The first nine or ten tracks resemble Desyn Masiello's previous Balance discs; the sequence is bright and funky... and thus, a great segue into the latter half of disc 3 from the previous mix's less intense attitude. Genre-bending madness ensues, beginning with Loco Dice's "City Lights (Martin Buttrich Remix)" > Michael Ho's "Kiss The Wasp." SOS subject us to a bit of `Miami Vice'-style house courtesy of Kingpin Cartel and the Alessi Brothers, but also manage to infuse some familiar tunes that touch on the trancier side of dance music - including an SOS Edit of "Shadow Movement" and Bastian's "Game Over." After free-floating at the dizzying heights that "Savin' The Day (SOS Edit)" and "Luna (Johnny and Peps Remix)" sustain, "Think Twice" blooms from out of nowhere with a burst of trumpet, saxophone and jazz guitar - ultimately, very Chicago-House. All of this activity is really quite overwhelming and it is odd how quickly Omid's comforting closer, "Full of E_mpty," can quiet the mind.



This is likely the best compilation to be released so far this year, and certainly the best progressive house compilation of 2008. Not only that, Balance 013 very firmly cements EQ's credentials in the ceaseless world of big-label compilation competition. SOS creates music that manages the difficult task of capturing the unique essences of each DJ. At the same time, the three combined talents (just like the three discs) join forces to create a unified spectrum of dance music that surpasses anything of its kind in recent memory. Demi, Desyn Masiello and Omid 16B's work here is absolutely unprecedented!



- James Woodruff"

This is great electronic music.

Lauren Kennedy | Fla,Usa | 06/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After purchasing Balance 012(Lee Burridge),which for me was a total let down.I was skeptical about buying this.Lee's set,spanning 3 cd's,was in my opinion the most tuneless,souless,and uninspiring,set I have ever heard.My ears were dying for something better and it came in the form of SOS.(Funny,seeing as Lee's almost sunk the Balance ship)I popped in the first disc and to my suprise track one was a "rock" track.I thought,I never heard anything like that on a House mix.I did not skip the track thank God becuase track two comes in with one of funkiest basslines ever.The first CD was awesome.CD2 is even better.Starting off with an Uptempo remix of The Cure's "Lullaby"which also endS the first CD,gives way to a cosmic array of deep music that any prog,or house fan may appreiciate.Never repitive or annoying,the third disc continues the albums awesomeness,and the big beat"Savin the Day" says it all about this collection of great music.I hope these 3 cat's come to my town becuase,if their live sets are anything like Balance 013 then I know I won't get a headache while trying to get my groove on."