Balance 003

Balance 003

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. Phased [Blackwatch Spanish Harlem Dub] - Darko

2. DJ, The Music, And Me [Peace Division Freaky Vocal Mix] - Lula

3. Give Me Fierce

4. Mindcircus [Tarrentella and Redanka Dub] - Way Out West

5. Groundfloor EP [Tribalfusion]

6. Primary Funktion

7. Big Tool - Chris Lum

8. Amazonia [Chus and Cellabos Iberican Mix]

9. Do You Mean What You Say? - SSL 9000

10. Kenny's Back - Guy Gerber,

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Close [Evolution Mix] - Bill Hamel

2. Headstrong [Relentless Vocal Mix] - Tilt

3. Boz Boz - Quivver

4. Bellslut - Mike G.

5. Control

6. With or Without You [Blackwatch Orient Point Mix]

7. Need [Satoshi Tomiie Main-Path Mix]

8. Gentle Rain - Blackwatch,

9. Closing In

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Bill Hamel is the Founder of Sunkissed Records. Includes Way Out West "Mindcircus" (Tarrentella and Redanka Dub), Joeski "Groundfloor EP" (Tribalfusion) and Lamb "Gorecki" (Hamel's Bootleg Mix).

Tracks:

Phased [Blackwatch Spanish Harlem Dub] - Darko
DJ, The Music, And Me [Peace Division Freaky Vocal Mix] - Lula
Give Me Fierce
Mindcircus [Tarrentella and Redanka Dub] - Way Out West
Groundfloor EP [Tribalfusion]
Primary Funktion
Big Tool - Chris Lum
Amazonia [Chus and Cellabos Iberican Mix]
Do You Mean What You Say? - SSL 9000
Kenny's Back - Guy Gerber,
Gorecki [Hamel's Bootleg Mix] - Lamb
Song to the Siren [Filterheadz Undercurrent Vocal Mix] - Johnny Barrakat & The Vestells

Tracks:

Close [Evolution Mix] - Bill Hamel
Headstrong [Relentless Vocal Mix] - Tilt
Boz Boz - Quivver
Bellslut - Mike G.
Control
With or Without You [Blackwatch Orient Point Mix]
Need [Satoshi Tomiie Main-Path Mix]
Gentle Rain - Blackwatch,
Closing In

Album Details

Bill Hamel is the Founder of Sunkissed Records. Includes Way Out West "Mindcircus" (Tarrentella and Redanka Dub), Joeski "Groundfloor EP" (Tribalfusion) and Lamb "Gorecki" (Hamel's Bootleg Mix).

Customer Reviews:

THE Progressive Album I've waited for!!!!.......2003-10-09

I'm not one of those reviewers who start to talk about the recent history and/or destiny of the music genre in discussion, and somehow link that to the outcome of the final result of the review, like most "top 500 reviewers". My opinion is clear and simple: either I like it or I hate it, to different degrees, of course.

This being said, I will have to say the following: GET THIS COMPILATION NOW!!! I've read how people rave over albums such as Ashley Caselle's "Response"(which I didn't like much) and Deep Dish's "Global Underground 21: Moscow", to name a few; however, these so called marvelous pieces don't come even close to the magnificence of this double disc, heaven sent masterpiece.

Disc 1, as Richard Diaz expresses, is the better of the lot. In fact, it's worth the price admission alone, a shimmering work of art!! The track selection is SUPERB, and the mixing, OH, THE MIXING...IS SIMPLY BRILLIANT! It's right up there with Digweed's "MMII" and Sasha's "GU013: Ibiza". The mix starts off slow with the omnipresent Blackwatch, this time his remix of Darko's "Phased", carving the way for perhaps the best track on the disc: Peace Division's remix of Lula's "The DJ, The Music, And Me". This track will hit the repeat button in your head for the first couple of weeks. Intense basslines, head banging drums and, as the song's title says, FREAKY vocals will submerge your conciousness into the mix till it is completely over. A FABULOUS TRACK! BRAVO, PEACE DIVISION! From there on you will have the greatest pleasure to experience monster tracks such as the climaxing "Primary Funktion" by Hipp-E, Chris Lum's teaseful and contagious "Big Tool", and Hamel's own bootleg of Lamb's "Gorecki", to mention a few. I GUARANTEE that you will not cease to be amazed at the fine crafting this mix possesses, in track selection as well as in mixing. Simply out of this world. It's definitely among the top 5 of my 100+ cd collection.

Then there is disc 2, where I absolutely disagree with the reviewer above mentioned, stating that this mix is limited to one play curiosity. No way, Jose! Although lacking the five star track selection of the previous disc (I would say four stars), it is as equally well mixed, and, thus, doesn't affect my five-star rating. It starts out with Evolution's remake of Hamel's own "Close", a combination of subtle rhythms and lovely female vocals that seem to float in the background, an EXCELLENT track! Then Bill shifts gears with Tilt's remix of their own "Headstrong", an overplayed track that gains new life in this mix, followed by one of my personal favorites, Quivver's "Boz Boz". Next, Mike G's very interesting, multi-layered "Bellslut" falls in perfectly, paving the way for the undisputed best track in the mix, Gardner and Thomas' "Control", an outstanding piece that can surely revive the dead and make'em dance. I don't understand how this track didn't get consideration from the reviewer above. Simply packed with club-perfect beats to die for. Afterwards, the mix suffers a downfall with Satoshi Tomiie's remix of the Little Green Men track. This vocal track just doesn't push my buttons; a sure skip everytime I reach this point. Then the mix recovers with another Blackwatch track, with Greed, "Gentle Rain", and finishes off with Redbak's "Closing In", two good, not amazing, tracks.

In conclusion, I think everyone should know about this masterpiece production by Bill Hamel. I'm already spreading the word here among my friends who are into this kind of music, and the results are always the same: "I LOVE THIS!! Who is this guy?!! Never heard of him, but he rocks!!". So do yourself a favor, and get this gem QUICKLY so you won't keep on missing out of some of the best music n' mixing mankind has to offer.

Sheeding New Light on Progressive House..........2003-05-27

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...

Excellent progressive mixes from down under.......2002-09-11

This is the third in a series of "Balance" cd sets first released in Australia and now available in the U.S., as well. These two mixes were put together by progressive producer and founder of Sunkissed Records Bill Hamel, who has one previous commercial cd mix release under his belt (one of the "Nokturnal Mix Sessions" on Topaz Records). In keeping with what's become a fairly standard approach to two cd progressive sets, Hamel offers a dark-ish, housey, heavily percussive set on cd 1, and then turns to more uptempo, trancey material for the second mix.

The results are excellent. The first set is filled with pulsating, hypnotic, dubby material thoughtfully sequenced and skillfully mixed. Of note is the driving, irresisible track by Lula, "The DJ, The Music, and Me." The typical Lula pouting, sexy, deadpan spoken vocal (is it supposed to be tongue-in-cheek?) is backed fabulously by an insistently pounding arrangement mixed by Peace Division. This is followed by the wondrously wicked Tarrentella & Redanka remix of WOW's "Mindcircus." Overall, the mood is tribal and dark-tending until the final two tracks (inclding Hamel's own fine remix of Lamb's "Gorecki,") which feature haunting female vocals and close the set out in marvelous fashion.

The trancier second set exhibits higher energy and more melody than the first, and yet throughout Hamel keeps the mood progressive and completely cheese-free. Things start out in riveting fashion with the Evolution remix of Hamel's own "Close," which segues into Tilt's "Headstrong," highlighted by Maria Naylor's distinctive vocals. Overall, Hamel succeeds in keeping the energy and intensity level high throughout this second mix,which would correspond more to a "peaking" portion of a live club presentation.

Overall, a fine release indeed, well recommended for fans of the progressive brand of dance music associated with the likes of Digweed, Seaman, Warren, etc.

One fab disc makes this an essential prog pick-up.......2002-06-26

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.

Music:

Music

music

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