looks good, def get my hands on this...

This is awesome, can't wait to see them during WMC I'm not missing their tiki boat party this year!

Yes yes and yes!!

OH YES!!!

Oh yeah!!!!

Been waiting for this!!!!!!

THIS IS BEAUTFIUL!!!!! Desyn and Omid are 2 of the greatest DJ's out there PERIOD. With Demi, the energy and funk/tech/sexy/electro house they bring is unparalleled.

What is the name of the genre that Desyn spins? You can't put a name on it can you? It's influenced by so many other genres? Thoughts?

Yes, Desyn Masiello has over the past year become my favorite DJ in the world, no joke. Why? Well, for my day job, I travel all over Washington state (probably the most beautiful state in the US, for those who don't know) installing computers. I have a lot of car time, driving through the mountains, little towns, forests, etc. I have a LOT of mixsets on my iPod. By far the most satisfying have turned out to be the Balance 008 sets, and some set he did for Frisky radio. I keep listening to these over and over. The replay value is just phenomenal. Desyn GETS IT. He understands house music, what it essentially is, its purpose, its flow, its sensibilities. This shows time and again. For me, his genre is pure house, what house is supposed to sound like. Sure, you could call it 'progressive' in places, but whatever: this is HOUSE - the true flavor of the original electronic dance music, an extension of the original vibe for the times.

Yeah, I think its house all the way: REALLY, REALLY GOOD HOUSE MUSIC.

Whatever, dude...I grew up in Spokane, Washington and it's a hole...but that's what you get for being so close to Idaho. Western Washington is nice, but I don't know if you can make that blanket statement for it being the best in the country. Anyway per these comments I've dusted off Masiello's Balance 008 which I pretty much ignored when it first came out. Real nice! Looking forward to this one.

this is my first post..
i listened to them at creamfields punta del este, and i'm not a big fan of pregressive house, but this guys rocked the place, earth was cracking... They are really good at what they do.
And the way they build the mix, is absoultely amazing, it was like all the time surprising you. Please if you can listen to them live, don't miss the chance
16b was one of my favourite producers of all time, but teaming up with these guys is simply delicious

Ha! I'm living in Spokane now, and, you're right, it (mostly) is a hole. Much of Eastern Washington is that way, granted, but so much of this state is just incredible! And, I've literally been all over. The best is Hwy 20, through the N. Cascades. The peninsula is amazing, too, as is most of Western Washington. Seriously, though, there's a lot of amazing geography out here. Small sections of Washington (like Spokane and Omak) are pretty much crap, but I've been very lucky to see some jaw-dropping beauty that a lot of WA natives (I'm not one myself) don't even seem to know anything about.

Anyway, glad you dusted off Balance 008. Takes about 5 listens to 'stick', but once it does, it will become your go-to driving companion for a few months, more than likely.

Cheers...

Speaking of some great mixes from years past...what about the SOS essential mix from 2005...not that's some serious gold. You really knew that there was something special coming up for these guys. I'm happy to see them getting the artistic freedom on such a great series.

I have to say that Omid is absolutely a production genius

EDIT: Actually I believe it was Essential mix in March 2006

Duck and cover, guys, duck and cover.

We have the boys playing at our night in Brisbane. Cant wait.

Oh My Golly Gosh! If this is as awesome as Desyn's Balance 008 then this is gonna be top drawer...

their SOS essential mix was top, i hope the same wth this, these guys rocks

I really can't wait for this!! I love SOS and Desyn!!<3

Good news, SOS Turmastrasse Dusty Kid Aeroplane and David Langhein my favorits Acts 2008 !

These cd's are really awesome listening..

Just got this yesterday in the post....thanks heaps Tom. I've had a go at these discs once....valiant effort boys

Sadly, I was not able make it the tiki boat this year but I do hear it was rather special. I don't know about the rest of you SOS fans, but I think it's always a very special time when you can catch them live. Truly inspirational sound

checkin this out as we speak and it doesn't disappoint.

caught desyn play on his own in brighton last year and virtually no one turned up but he still played a blinding set. the scene is just dying out in the uk. no wonder our djs spend all their time spinning abroad.

I'm still listening through this, but the first CD is incredibly beautiful. The way the beginning of the second CD builds on the end of the first is just amazing, picking the general texture and sound up from Lullaby but reinterpreting it in a way that says 'no more downtempo, we're getting a move on'. Really, really impressed so far. I feel like I'm hearing the absolute best that all 3 DJs have to offer, and it's all the richer for it.

Sorry to double post, but I've just listened through the entire 3CD set, and I've got to say, this mix has everything I want. I'm in awe of just how good the mix is, from the first track to the last. There's a very, very slight sag in the middle of CD 3, but that really just serves as a breathing space before the luscious ending.

Sorry if I'm gushing, it's been a while since I've been so enthused by a mix.

It doesn't get any better than this, if you were listening during the late 80's, you'll recognise a lot of the tunes; if not, this is what it was all about. Superb.

finally got through this album. pretty bloody good. 2nd best mix comp of the year fo sho.

robbie y

quote:

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Posted by robbie y
finally got through this album. pretty bloody good. 2nd best mix comp of the year fo sho.

robbie y

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Just gets better with every listen (been blasting it from my balcony in sunny Brighton all night ) - what's your number 1 mix?

First disc is the best for me - beautiful, funky and a bit eclectic. Just what i like.

Fair review : it's overly epic. Background music at best.

Reasonably fair but I'm afraid I can't put stock in any reviewer who refers to Aeroplane's "Caramellas" as irritating disco......

Not fashionable or obscure enough. Never stood a chance.

Fantastic waste of time. It's like diluting juice that's been made too watery and doesn't really taste of anything and isn't quite water either.

I think 3/5 is a little optimistic...

I like this Compilation

really? wow seems like a lot of people don't like it and i was actually kind of excited about this one

quote:

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Posted by Amery
really? wow seems like a lot of people don't like it and i was actually kind of excited about this one

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it's all a matter of opinion....who's to say everyone likes Richie or DT?

Different folks, strokes and all that...

quote:

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Posted by galmond
Not fashionable or obscure enough. Never stood a chance.

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your first sentence is exactly whats wrong with dance music at the minute..

who cares if its fashionable??? its whether its good or not, stand on you own 2 feet and make your own opinion in stead of following fashion/tends that ruin the scenes anyway..

as of the CD - i havne't heard it of cant comment.

quote:

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Posted by blackers

quote:

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Posted by galmond
Not fashionable or obscure enough. Never stood a chance.

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your first sentence is exactly whats wrong with dance music at the minute..

who cares if its fashionable??? its whether its good or not, stand on you own 2 feet and make your own opinion in stead of following fashion/tends that ruin the scenes anyway..

as of the CD - i havne't heard it of cant comment.

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I absolutely agree with you and that's the point I was making - reviews on only appear to get decent scores if the music is fashionable or obscure. Balance/SOS is no longer fashionable and therefore never stood a chance of getting a decent score. Scroll up and you'll see exactly what I thought of it.

different opinion here, I kinda like this compilation.

While I don't think it hits the peak-time heights of their Essential Mix, I think Balance 013 is an excellent compilation. Not a 5/5, but definitely better than a 3/5!

I have to agree with some of the other posts regarding the reviews of late. The reviews are looking more like Pitchfork's with their over-it attitude towards anything that's not obscure or trendy.

i hope this review doesn't put people off chasing down this album. a really enjoyable album, brings back a lot of fun into music which is severely lacking in a lot of places at the moment.

robbie y

I very much enjoyed this compilation, with the Michael Cassette track being one of my favourites; it goes very well with Moogie Nights, I think. I agree with Dave that disc 2 is the more consistent one, in both (sub)genre and quality, though I liked all three. Definitely worth checking out

Great style denomination! Let´s not label everything! Really good compilation, a beautiful trip!
Cheers from Mexico!!!

Been listening to this a lot lately, and it was much better than this review indicates. Enjoy!

Don't agree at all with the review at all! I've had this album on repeat for two weeks. It's worth it for the Bryan Ferry track (more cowbell!) alone.

Stumpy

What a philistine. You clearly don't like a lot of the music that falls under the SOS style...

I cannot recommend this CD highly enough - it is SO fucking good if you like beautiful, melodic, euphoric chillout stuff, house and prog....so many amazing tracks on here...just beautiful music, perfect for crack-ons, comedowns, lying in bed with a loved one, on a beach, summertime....it's just so fucking nice!

I hate these bastards, I don't know where they find so many incredible tracks from......!!

My only criticism was that it never gets quite to the heights of their club sets - but they actually wanted to do 5 discs....and who cares really, it's for home listening and it's amazing.

BUY IT! DON'T LISTEN TO THIS REVIEW!!!!!

P.S. Michael Cassette is one of my faves too

Don t agree with you at all mate!It s a very nice compilation,full of melody and rhythm!That s all it takes...

Totally agree w you Dave, this was the most overhyped priggity prog release I have heard since, oh I don't know, 1997. To spread this over three disk wasn't just a huge waste of my time (and apparently yours too) it was also a huge waste of natural resources and that ain't cool. Boo to you SOS!

Interesting review - the mix isn't flawless but overall I thought it was very strong indeed, and something of a Herculean task putting it all together without doubt. Aeroplane are superb, not irritating in my book! And I love the Michael Cassette tune despite the fact that it drifts perilously close to trance.

Aeroplane are superb.

And nothing wrong with drifiting close to trance, as so many of today's house, electro and techno producers do.

Coming to this a bit late, I only discovered it the other day, but had a quick listen and was like 'Damn! This is everything I want in a compilation!'. I love it. Really well thought out, mixed in key, an epic compilation. Any die-hard progressive houser will be well into it.

Duuuude, Shadows Movement is the best track of 07/08 imo, so if you don't like that there's now wonder you don't like the mix! Just short of a classic comp for mine.