Customer Reviews

Balance 012

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Unlike Balance 010, where Jimmy Van M used a build up of BPM's across his three discs, and unlike Balance 007, where Chris Fortier tried a little something different for each of his three, Lee Burridge unleashes three scorching, high energy techno mixes in the 3rd ever three disc release in the Balance mix series. He really can't go wrong when he chooses so many of the best artists in tech house and minimal, such as Gabriel Ananda, Tomas Andersson, Ben Klock, Martin Buttrich, and Onur Ozer. While none really stray from the melodic techno that's so strongly gripping the electronic dance scene, they each offer track after track of exciting and upbeat sounds. If you're into minimal and tech house, you've come to the right place, as this is one of the biggest values I've ever seen in terms of dollar for dollar and how many beats and tracks you end up getting.

Stellar mixing and track selection by Burridge and a 3 disc mix where every disc is worth repetitive plays. That's hard enough to do with a 2 disc mix, never mind 3, so this is easily one of my best releases of the year.

care of resident advisor site
"Breaking from the proggier sounds of previous Balance volumes, Lee Burridge's Balance 012 is a gargantuan three-disc epic of modern European minimal. For my money, it's one of the most memorable mixes in series yet, right up there with classics by James Holden and Jimmy Van M. Why? Well, instead of just another pile of (nice) tracks, it's a mix which succeeds because of acutely honed DJ instincts. It might be over three hours long, but it has a cohesive feel, no doubt due to the years Burridge has put in at racked the clubs, living out of a suitcase on his seemingly never-ending '365' world tour. Balance 12 has an all too rare and genuinely titillating night-at-the-club feel that seems borne out of experience.
Balance 012 is that rare mix compilation that will not only work on your home soundsystem, but also nicely documents a DJ in action at the club. It's a sprawling three disc epic that sounds just like Burridge in the flesh, rammed full of clever mixes and eclectic tech house hooks. The couple of missteps on the disc are forgivable really, and overall it's a fine document for those who've not caught '365' out as well as Lee freaks to boot. This one is roadtested, fit and worthy.
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wow !!! what a step up from his last offering on everybody on tour which I absolutely hated. lee comes back with some proper sets with a 3 disc minimal techy well compiled good building quality sets. i noticed that alot of the progressive tracks released on the dj circuit is going real minimal/techy/dubby. So if you dig that sound definitely grab this cd. the cd booklet design is really cool but is a pain in the as to take the cd out but other than that , 3 disc's of some sick tunes.

I want to LOVE this release I really do. Lee is one of the SICKEST DJ's out there, easily.

However, this triple disc could barely fill a SINGLE disc of good tracks. TOO MANY FILLERS that just don't go anywhere, all drench in minimal/tech/house.
There ARE some INCREDIBLE tracks, then it gets soul-less and repetitive..... THEN picks up again, THEN more fillers, THEN amazing again, THEN crap, then great, THEN boring again. It's too bad how you can play all 3 discs, and NOT be able to distinguish which is which, even after several listens. Though Lee was going through an incredibly creative moment in his career here, too much noise for MY head.

I'm not a huge Lee Burridge fan. This is the first CD of his that I purchased based on the good reviews both here and in BPM magazine.

Frankly, I don't get it.

I should start off by saying that while the minimalist sound is not my absolute favorite, it's definitely high on my list. That said, I have amateur friends who spin minimalist sets that are more interesting than this set is. This set is flat and repetitive, the track selection isn't that great, and the "buildups" are either nonexistent (maybe I'm missing something) or uninspiring. This collection of CD's does not move me. This collection lacks soul.

I think the main problem is the track selection. Most of the tracks are literally the same sounds repeating over and over. Where more emotive tracks will have a variance in the vocal tones as the song progresses and builds (even in the minimalist genre), the tracks here are flat and repetitive and go nowhere. It comes off as just a bunch of noise. There are a few tracks that initially sound like they may be going somewhere, then flatten out with the same predictable, unsurprising repetition.

When played in the background, a good set will carry or inspire conversation rather than overriding, interrupting, or subverting it. Likewise, a good set played while driving will seamlessly integrate into the hypnotic rythms that accompany car travel rather than contributing to agitation and discomfort. This set passes neither of these tests.

So why the 2 star rating (rather than one star)? I gave this set two stars because there were 3 CD's included, which I think is a *great* idea. It is difficult to get a point across by rushing through a set on one 70 minute CD, and 70 minute sets usually leave the listener with feelings of a premature peak and abrupt closure. I'd like to see this extended to other brands, such as the Transitions series.

About me: At the time of this writing I'm 33. I've been clubbing & listening to electronic music since I was 18.

I bought this together with Steve Lawlers Viva London. I've listen to both 2 or 3 times before this review. For minimalistic music that needs to be played to a strobe light - this is it! This is 3 discs of absolutely cool tunes. Lawler pales in comparison. Both are deep and dark but this has by far the better song collection. I'm not too fussed with the mixing - I'd rather have the good song selection. I would have though that Global Underground would have gone this route. (Long live GU Athens, London, Moscow, Toronto, Hong Kong).

This disk is a stunner! Trust me. I have THOUSANDS of mix and artists disks within this genre of music and this three disk set just blows me away. Hard feat to accomplish... but Lee has done it! One of the best in the Balance series. Holden did well with 005. Fortier did excellent with 007. Jimmy did different... yet great with 010. Lee just KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK with 012! Trust me. BUY THIS SET!!!!

I have changed my review,seeing as it was a little harsh.I just expected so much more.Disc 1 is my fave.Disc 2 gets poppin around track 5.And Disc 3 has some weird tunes on it that is just relentless and never shuts up.Don't listen to this around others becuase they might get scared.....