Search - Jimmy Van M :: Balance 10.1

Condensed but solid entry in the Balance series.

Doctor Trance | MA, United States | 12/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All the previous Balance mixes have been 2-3 disc sets. This is the first single disc, and also a further extension of Jimmy Van M's Balance 010, hence the 10.1 name. This mix fits better into the Balance realm, as it's more of the upbeat tracks the series has used since it's inception. It briefly starts off slow, but then picks right up and gets into some fast paced techno with some top notch tracks by artist such as Dave Shokh & Holgi Star, Stephan Bodzin, Umek, Chaim, and quality remixes by Guy Gerber and The Field. It's not too far off from Lee Burridge's Balance 012, with a slightly harder techno edge, and Jimmy picks a few more quirky tracks such as the two male vocal ones at stops 2 and 3. The mix briefly dips down in BPM's with tracks 12 and 13, two incredible melodic tech house offerings, with the latter, Air Conditionne by Julian Jeweil being one of my favorite tracks of the year. It's become incredibly popular and building up several mix appearances, across several different electronic genres. It's the Rej of 2007: an incredible track that no matter how many times you hear it it never gets old.



If you put this disc alongside Disc 3 of Balance 010, you'd have your typical two-disc Balance entry. I almost feel Balance 010 should have gotten the decimal point, as even though it sticks to the theme of "Balance-ing" a variety of sounds, none of the others featured much downtempo or ambient, except for maybe one or two tracks to start the mixes. You end up with people who loved that aspect of Balance 010 left scratching their heads as this mix isn't what they expected. You also end up with those who have been following the Balance series for a while, left hating Balance 010 (as evidenced by some negative reviews over there), as it's nothing like the faster paced energy of the previous mixes.



While I enjoyed the uptempo final disc of 010, I found this mix on 10.1 to be more varied in track selection and with a lot more energy. If you are looking for something similar to discs 1 and 2 of Balance 010, then you won't find anything remotely like that here other than maybe the first track of this mix.



All in all, a mix far exceeding my expectations and after repeated listens, it kept creeping up on me to 5 star status. I recommend this for all Balance fans except those who only prefer discs 1 and 2 of Balance 010. It's a high energy techno ride full of great tracks, and another great entry into the now legendary Australian Balance mix series."

Superb mix

Marc Gustafson | San Diego, CA United States | 01/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Van M makes this addition to his original Balance entry, which focuses on a harder-edged, squirrely techno-based sound. Clearly, he wanted to do a modern dance mix in addition to his beautiful compilation of a wide variety of styles on Balance 010. It is most similar to Lee Burridge's excellent Balance 012 in mixing style and content, instead of Balance 010. All of these tracks deserve additional exposure, and now they will get it."