Balance 006

Amazon.com
Anthony Pappa unearths a mix of sonics and frequencies on Balance, as the Australian DJ casts an ever wider musical net. 2002's Resolution was of a similar bent, with a refined and varied texture that expanded on the rote progressive dance of his Global Underground NuBreed breakout. Here, Pappa confidently throws yet more ingredients into his turntable stew. He glides, Sasha-like, through disc 1, as airy bits from Chimera ("Natural High") and KVK ("Reality Theory") bounce off darker mood music. It's a little schizophrenic, especially when comically dour songs like "Nothing Is Real" threaten to stall the momentum. By contrast, the second disc starts off with too much consistency, threatening a predictable finish. But after a smoking workout on "All I Wanna Do" from Rhythm Unlimited, Pappa pulls out the bread-and-butter trance via "Freakout," then segues into a lively set-closing sequence starring Quivver and Ben Camp. Balance is a strange title for such a slippery record, but Pappa manages to tie it all together, and remains a DJ to watch. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description
Following in the footsteps of James Holden’s last edition of the Balance series was never going to be an easy task, but if any man has the tools to do the job, it's Anthony Pappa. Having a varied career that has seen him play all around the world, in addition to being the figure that launched Global Underground's Nubreed series which saw his face (and that blue jacket) splattered all over the world, Anthony has already proven his worth, but since the release of his 2002 compilation Resolution on System Recordings, he's slowly dropped off the radar, but returns to the helm of the latest in EQ's Balance series.

This compilation sees Anthony take his skills to the next level, the first CD being a voyage through the world of ambient and breakbeat with tracks by up and coming artists like Blue Haze and Luke Chable, sitting alongside material from established names such as Slacker, Main Element, and Tilt.

Diversity is the theme of the second CD, leaving a snapshot of the more twisted style that fans of Anthony Pappa know and love. With some of the finest material around at the moment carefully programmed into one cohesive mix, featuring tracks and remixes from Shpongle, Rennie Pilgrem, Moonface, Mara, and Quivver, it's the fitting end of an album that shows Anthony Pappa's ability to Balance all manner of different sounds, making him the perfect candidate to join this acclaimed series.

Tracks:

Luke Chable - Into the Storm
Fretwell - Faceless
KVK - Reality Theory
Michael Lanning ft Charity Havens - Bound For Ascension
Blue Haze - A Time To Reflect
Rhino Drum - Underground Sound
Michael Burns - Sunshine In My Shadows
Jacob Todd ft Kevin Clark - Nothing Is Real
Main Element - Delta Of Venus (Chris Salt Remix)
Steve May - Open Day (Luke Chable Quakes & Craters Remix)
Chimera - Natural High
Slacker - Tutikinegi
Shiloh - Mana
Tilt - I Know Youre Afraid

Tracks:

Pavel Bidlo - My Pills
Rennie Pilgrem - Coming Up For Air (Mara mix)
Ozgur Can - Connected
Dirty German ft Mirko Meyer - Be Together (Main Pass)
Rhythm Unlimited - All I Wanna Do
Pig & Dan - Basement
Moonface - Our Prediction
MCCP - Deeper Inside
Musgrove & McGrath - Freakout
Quivver & Sutton - Cold Rush
Chris Salt - Atmospheric Graffiti
Ben Camp - New World
Shpongle - Beija For

Amazon.com

Anthony Pappa unearths a mix of sonics and frequencies on Balance, as the Australian DJ casts an ever wider musical net. 2002's Resolution was of a similar bent, with a refined and varied texture that expanded on the rote progressive dance of his Global Underground NuBreed breakout. Here, Pappa confidently throws yet more ingredients into his turntable stew. He glides, Sasha-like, through disc 1, as airy bits from Chimera ("Natural High") and KVK ("Reality Theory") bounce off darker mood music. It's a little schizophrenic, especially when comically dour songs like "Nothing Is Real" threaten to stall the momentum. By contrast, the second disc starts off with too much consistency, threatening a predictable finish. But after a smoking workout on "All I Wanna Do" from Rhythm Unlimited, Pappa pulls out the bread-and-butter trance via "Freakout," then segues into a lively set-closing sequence starring Quivver and Ben Camp. Balance is a strange title for such a slippery record, but Pappa manages to tie it all together, and remains a DJ to watch. --Matthew Cooke

Album Description

Following in the footsteps of James Holden's last edition of the Balance series was never going to be an easy task, but if any man has the tools to do the job, it's Anthony Pappa. Having a varied career that has seen him play all around the world, in addition to being the figure that launched Global Underground's Nubreed series which saw his face (and that blue jacket) splattered all over the world, Anthony has already proven his worth, but since the release of his 2002 compilation Resolution on System Recordings, he's slowly dropped off the radar, but returns to the helm of the latest in EQ's Balance series.

Customer Reviews:

Serious mixing going on.......2006-07-17

Unlike Pappa's earlier, darker mixes, Balance album features smooth mix of house and progressive house music. Although I am a bigger fan of his darker mixes, Pappa puts serious mixing on the table. His track selection is good, not excellent. However, Track 2 on Disc 1 and Track called "Freakout" on Disc 2 are two good examples of good track selection. Especially Freakout... I found it a superb track, just like "Come To Me" on Sasha's Fundacion.

Beautiful,,,, a piece of artwork.......2006-02-23

Disc 1: an easy 5 stars
Disc 2: 4.5 stars

Anthony Pappa truly does do a good job on this compilation. I am a stickeler on the quality of mixing and the first CD is downright gorgeous. What really distinguishes this disc from the second disc is the diversity of the music genres. Disc 1 beautifully blends the essentials of breaks with low key progressive house. The disc drives the rhythm home while dazzling you with the atmospheric/soundscapes that he produces in the background. CD 1 = perfection
CD 2 while still being powerful lacks the overall dynamics of disc 1. This is simply because Pappa decided to go strictly with prog house on this one. What truly holds this disc together is the spectacular mixing that is witnessed on disc 1. However different, the mixes still maintain that high level of difficulty that is necessary for someone as picky as myself to stay highly interested.
Overall this is a brightspot in the sea of CDs that I own and I will continue to enjoy it for years to come

What is up with these reviews?.......2005-05-14

I can not believe the reviews I am reading for this release.
Hands down this is one of the best progressive compulations of 2004. I think that it is up there with Sasha's Involver album and I have yet to understand why there are so many mediocre reviews for this dual set from Pappa. I know that Holden is a very tough act to follow,(lord knows I have seen that prodigy a few times and love his work), but this release from Anthony is top notch. I am a huge progressive fan to say the least, so I am more in touch with the first C.D., rather than the second. As far as "continuity" and structure, it is about as good as it gets. The mixing is f**king superb. The planning for the first C.D. is very well thought out and is deeply, deeply emotional. Pappa, if you are reading this, I want to thank you for putting this jewel together. I have it in my player and I have no plans to take it out in the near future.
I was born and raised in South Florida and have seen countless D.J.'s and producers countless times at Space , Crobar and WMC.
Yet, the next time you come down, they better roll out the red carpet for you, cause you are friggin' awesome! D-L-T-B-G-Y-D.

A Let Down.......2004-11-19

Come on Anthony, I know you're reading this. What is this. I've heard much better from you. It seems like you're just throwing a bunch of tracks together. disc 1 was alright with some cool beats, it raised the rating to 3, but some tracks are just plain horrible in disc 2, like tracks 3,4, and especially 13, that was just garbage. Some good track here and there but there's no consistency at all. Good thing 13 was the last track or i would've just thrown that disc away. I'm beginning to question whether you know your shiz or just playing some good track you hear from other djs and then playin these other junk. Very let down. A good dj should never have a track that's not listenable.

Not quite balanced.......2004-11-16

It was OK although I have to say I was a little disappointed with some of the track selection. There were some good tracks here and there but the CDs seemed totally inconsistent. In both CD they would start out alright and then suddenly it would drift off. A little different style from what i've typically heard from AP.
CD 1 was very chill and had some nice beats bordering house and breaks but then a vocal track 7 was added, which although isn't too bad, was totatlly outta place. Then it slowed down and got a little boring only to pick up just a a little towards the end.
CD 2 was more dark progressive and started off good with tracks 1-3 and then suddenly strange vocals tracks are added 4-5. I hate vocals especially if its a guy talking. These kinds of tracks don't belong in a good progressive set. The rest is ok with some notable tracks 9-10 but the CD never picks up as I was expecting from a 2nd CD after a chilled out first one.
OK but not his best.

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