VA - Balance 001 - Sean Quinn (2CD 2001)

[img=doci/car/cardassia-1147262753_i_9064_full.jpg]
Artist: VA
Album: Balance 001
Label: EQ Grey
Catalog#: EQGCD001
Format: 2CD , Mixed
Country: Australia
Released: 06 Nov 2001
Genre: Electronic
Style: Progressive House, Breakbeat, Tech House
Credits (DJ Mix): Sean Quinn
Bitrate: CBR 192 kbit
Size: 101Mb + 97Mb

Balance 001 compiled and mixed by Sean Quinn is the first in a series of groundbreaking compilations released on the EQ label. Balance 001 features tracks and remixes by Kosheen, Way Out West, Bedrock, Main Element, Chab and more.. This compilation highlights Sean’s Djing skills, as well as his broad selection of music, from dark break beat and atmospheric minimal grooves, to the more progressive and tribal sounds.

The Balance series spotlights Australia's premiere league of DJs, which the liner notes say Sean Quinn belongs in. Certainly he shows a diverse taste in music, stirring breakbeat, progressive elements, and a good dose of trance together.

Disc one shines, leading off with odd duck "Mindcircus," an upfront prog pop ballad with full-on piano playing and coherent heartfelt emotion. It's a major success for the Way Out West boys, a definite boundary breaker. Anything goes from there, slicing through nu-school breaks (the slow and low "Altitudes,") gritty tech-funk (Hybrid's superlative remix of "Outskirts,") with disco flash packed in (men of the moment King Unique's "Moody" remake). That's not even including work from James Holden, Bedrock, or Kosheen.

Disc two plays more traditional, ultimately a disappointment. You'll find roller coaster tune of 2001 "Stylus Trouble," thankfully followed up by bleeptastic wonder "Mainframe" by, um, Mainframe. The rest fails to leave an impression. Evolution's "Crocodile Man" sounds wanky, "Wasteland " just wastes time, and little else draws you in until Jamez's "Music" and Solid Sessions' breezy closer "Janeiro."

CD01
101. Way Out West — Mindcircus (6:12)
102. Ascender — Altitudes (Hyper & Rhymes Lunar Mix) (6:20)
103. KC Flightt vs. Funky Junction — Voices (PMT Remix) (6:52)
104. James Newton — Blackbird (Thomas Penton Remix) (7:16)
105. Ron Houder — Outskirts (Hybrid's Tech Funk Remix) (6:34)
106. Sessomato — Moody (King Unique Remix) (5:23)
107. Soul Providers — Rise (M.A.S. Collective Dub) (5:39)
108. Ogenki Clinic — First Light (James Holden vs. Main Element Remix) (8:05)
109. Main Element — Generation (8:06)
110. Luzon — The Baguio Track (Bedrock Remix) (9:20)
111. Kosheen — Hide U (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix) (2:25)

CD02
201. Dimension — Taking Over (8:26)
202. Stylus Trouble — Sputnik (6:48)
203. Mainframe — Mainframe (5:29)
204. Evolution — Crocodile Man (Original Version) (7:09)
205. Kamaya Painters — Wasteland (Chab's Tribute To Bedrock Remix) (7:09)
206. GPA — Velvet Voodoo (Praha Remix) (5:29)
207. Lemon8 — The Inner Sanctuary Sessions, Pt. 3 (Pressure) (6:41)
208. Aria — One (Voyager Remix) (6:41)
209. Jamez Pres. Tatoine — Music (Evolution Remix) (8:07)
210. Solid Sessions — Janeiro (Lemon 8 Remix) (6:30)