Balance Selections Podcast

Just Be aka Bushwacka aka Matthew Benjamin’s story arose from deep within the UK’s underground warehouse and illegal rave scene. Beginning in the 80s and 90s, he found it a space where he had unparalleled creative freedom to explore and develop as an artist. Just Be’s past has now seeped into the present, and as the years have gone by, we’ve seen him push boundaries of house, breakbeat, techno, downtempo and ambience alike. A collection of styles that have since lead him down a path to become the highly sort-after DJ/producer that he is today.

Officially, Just Be’s career kicked off with a 14-year residency in London’s legendary The End, the abandoned train tunnel turned nightclub was a leg up in the dance world and propelled him into the international circuit. Since then, his time as a touring artist has seen him headline some of the worlds leading clubs such as Cocoon, DC10 and the now defunct Space in Ibiza. Clubs aside, Just Be is also no stranger to festival life. He’s featured on the dusty plains of the Black Rock Dessert for a sunrise set at Burning Man’s Robot Heart stage, The BPM Festival and many more. Fast forward to the present and Just Be now has 6 artist albums with another one on its way, 120 remixes and 160 tracks. To top it off he also has another EP soon to be released on Get Physical Music.

In compiling this bumping house mix for Balance Selections, Just Be waited until the last minute so he could pick his favourite and most recent tracks from his collection, a mix where he’s managed to squeeze 18 tracks into his one-hour set. When asked about his podcast he told Balance ‘I haven’t actually put my own music on this mix. I meant to, but there is so much good music I had to pass on, and I just went with what felt right’ – and as usual, his feeling was spot on.

Interview and tracklist: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-034-just-be/

Back in 2001 we can remember buying a Mixmag featuring a free covermount CD mixed by Timo Maas. The opening track on that mix was Ashtrax’s ‘Helsinki’, a gloriously lush electronica track which was uplifting and cosmic in equal doses: it really encapsulated exactly what people loved about forward thinking dance music.

Forward to now, and Ashley Casselle (formerly one half of Ashtrax) is always making the sort of music which can make you dance and think at the same time.

His recent output shines with a nod to the grand masters of Chicago House Music mixed with an ambience and atmosphere uniquely his own. This Summer a new track emerged and was introduced to the world on John Digweed's Transitions Show, 'Dayrise Stardust', featuring the voice of Nat King Cole, is perhaps a defining moment on this mix. Andrew Weatherall, Guido Schneider & Darius Syrosian have adorned their own podcasts, club sets and radio mixes with his new tracks, many of of which will see a release on the new Dayrise Enterprise label he's set up now.

Casselle (as he's often known now) is a real veteran of the scene, and since the Noughties the producer/DJ has played at the world's most prestigious venues including Space in Ibiza, Giant in LA and Womb in Japan; toured the USA and Russia extensively; played on stellar lineups at the world's best events; had his own room at Bedrock, played at premium UK Summer events such as The Social Festival in Kent and made it into the ever controversial DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ poll. He's even had his photograph in the National Portrait Gallery as part of a 'DJ coffee table book’.

With this mix, the English selector has gone above and beyond to deliver one of the more intrinsic Balance Selections' journeys to date. With the help of a vocalist (the ever inquisitive Barbarella) drafted in especially for this mix, Casselle has managed to draw upon years of experience to craft something truly special. Trust us. This is first-rate....

Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/ashley-casselle-balance-selections/

With 13 years behind them as a creative partnership Anthony Middleton and Luca Saporito AKA Audiofly have accumulated unparalleled experience through their endeavours and continue to put everything into maintaining their careers at the highest level. After a chance meeting in 2002, the two men have established a creative empire, which includes two record labels, a global party brand and fashion. The first label, Supernature, serves as a platform to represent both their musical vision and their ability to discover and nurture new talent, while Maison D’Etre is evolving into a vinyl-only platform, embodying the more traditional aspects of Audiofly’s ethos, On top of that, their party, Flying Circus, remains the jewel in the crown at many of the world’s biggest music events; WMC, Sonar Week, ADE and more, with a firm emphasis on quality over quantity. They manage to create and find the sort of tracks which force you to dance and pay attention to the finer details. If there is one superlative which consistently run through Audiofly's discography, it is the word 'deep, and with tracks from Dorisburg, Doubtingthomas, Kassem Mosse and more, you can expect more depth on their Balance Selections podcast...

Interview + tracklist here:

https://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-031-audiofly/

Summer 16 is shaping up nicely for Theo Kottis; with upcoming EP releases on Anjunadeep, Moda Black, and Sasha’s Last Night On Earth, plus a slew of festival dates scheduled – he is certainly living up to the hype, created by none other than Pete Tong. Coming from humble beginnings, he has learnt his craft amongst legends at renowned venues, including as a resident at Glasgow’s Sub Club. For Balance Selections 30 we are very pleased to welcome the Scotsman on board for a deep excursion into house and more...

Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-theo-kottis/

At the start of 2015 Innervisions released a new EP from Rancido, a relatively unknown producer who, up to that stage, only had a handful of releases to his name. 'The Journey' EP featured 4 beautifully crafted tracks, showcasing Rancido's penchant for longing melodies and soft beats. It's these soft rhythms that demand the most attention; listen closely, tucked away between the grooves you'll notice the gentle pulse of Africa-influenced percussive flair. Taking inspiration not just from the mother continent, the Rotterdam-based producer's first release was a track called 'Salsa Sundae', more evidence that the producer favours interesting rhythms over the more standard house structures. His predilection for loose percussion were always going to attract interest from a certain sect within the industry, and, true to form, he has worked with acts and brands who favours a bit of swing in their music: Black Coffee, Louie Vega, Boddhi Satva and DJ Gregory are just some of the names he has collaborated or worked with. With such a wide ranging interest in different rhythms, and his ability to craft a 10/10 melody, it's easy to see why Rancido would be picked up by one of the most important labels going around. But don't expect this podcast to be a throwback to early African House, his mix is as contemporary as any of our past mixes: Rancido has put together a masterful journey which features as much brood as it does interesting drum patterns....

Interview and tracklist: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-029-rancido/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rancidomusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rancidomusic/?fref=ts

In 2013 Daniel Bortz released his debut album 'Patchwork Memories', an 11-track selection of deep cuts bleeding with melancholy, black keys and nostalgia. Bortz's laser-precision production skills were in full flight here, and his ability to use very little elements to fill out each track is the work of a serious professional. The album was filled with the sort of low-slung house which could easily double up as a downtempo soundtrack to a lazy Sunday afternoon. Look into his back catalogue you will find that his debut album was no anomaly: his discography is loaded with brooding melodies and infectious rhythms. As you can expect, he follows the same route in the club where Bortz tend to favour the cuts which make you feel as much as dance. Of late, the German has been injecting a darker sound into his DJ sets which might come as a surprise to those who know him for his 'deep house', but Perlon is one of his favourite labels, and that influence is definitely starting to become more relevant in his productions. (This should come as no surprise, the back catalogue of his Pastamusik imprint is loaded with his appreciation for the microhouse/minimal techno label) On the verge of an Australian tour (dates at bottom of article), Bortz has delivered the next Balance Selections podcast. It's safe to say that you are in good hands...

Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-028-daniel-bortz/

Chris Fortier delivered one of the more interesting Balance compilations when he dropped compilation number 7 in the series. It was 3 CDs deep and filled with the sort of moody, tech-filled music which on first listen was bewildering, yet strangely alluring. It featured many artists at the early stage of their careers (Mathew Jonson and Alex Smoke come to mind), and showed that there was more to the progressive house sound which was so prevalent back then: It even received a strong 4.5/5 on Resident Advisor. Indeed, the Fade Recordings owner's keen ear for a great underground track, and his eagerness to do some decent crate digging were on full display. Then again, Chris Fortier is a true professional who have traveled the world playing at the best venues and events. He has tasted success in the club and and in the studio: Fortier’s remix of Delerium's "Silence", was the first and original remix and sold in excess of one million copies worldwide, and he has one full length album to his name, "As Long As The Moment Exists”. In 2005 Chris Fortier compiled his acclaimed Balance compilation - and 11 years later we welcome back the American selector for a very smooth Balance Selections podcast...

Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-027-chris-fortier/

An artist who has been going from strength to strength over the last year has been Newcastle’s Cristoph. With productions that are always epic-filled tech workouts (with a healthy nod to the past), it’s no surprise that his music is getting rinsed from a wide selection of DJs which include Hot Since 82, Leftwing & Kody and everyone in between. The considerable amount of time spent sharpening his mixing and production skills has definitely started to reap rewards, and DJ bookings have been coming in thick and fast in across the globe. 2016 has already been a massive year for the Geordie with key signings in the form of his immense ‘Genesis’ EP for Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint, and ‘Divvina’ with VIVa MUSiC. There really is no doubting Cristoph’s talent and technical skill, and his Balance Selection mix is filled with the sort of moments that will demand repeated plays.

Interview + tracklisting: https://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-026-cristoph/

Cristoph FB:

facebook.com/CristophMusic

Cristoph soundcloud:

soundcloud.com/cristophmusic

Nico Stojan calls himself a global citizen, which is a very apt description for this Berlin-native who is known for his residency at the city’s infamous Bar 25. He has a lust and curiosity for life which translates into his music and DJ sets, making it hard for any punter to not engage in his performances or music. He is part of a very unique group of DJs who can be booked for the bigger festivals alongside the smaller outdoor events too, his sound very much suited for any occasion. His recent album ‘Twisted Manners’ showed his diversity with a selection of tracks that was organic and warm sounding, and really showcased his studio prowess. For his Balance Selections podcast Stojan has delivered one of the series’ more deeper excursions to date – and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate podcast number 25.

Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-nico-stojan/

For podcast number 24 we bring it down a notch to bring you the slo-mo groove of the underground. 40 Thieves is a San Francisco based dance music collective consisting of Corey Black, Layne Fox and Jay WIlliams (aka Jaswho?) who has been creating their magic since 2005. You might know know their remake of the obscure 70's disco classic by Hot Chocolate, 'Don't Turn It Off (feat. Qzen), which was named #2 in 2009's track of the year by DJHistory.com, and also landed at the top of Beatport's best of the decade in 2010. Their musical output can range from psychedelic disco and blues to proto-house, acid and beyond, but regardless of the genre, a 40 Thieves track is always embedded with enough funk, groove and sex appeal to keep the most stubborn dancefloor moving along. We were lucky enough to secure a rare mix from Layne Fox who, under his new moniker Musik Nonstop, will represent the Thieves' on his debut Mexican tour (and if you're Down Under, don't forget to catch Corey Black on his debut Australian tour later this month). Don’t play too loud: This mix will induce involuntary dancing to anyone within a mile radius of it...

Tracklist and interview: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-24-musik-nonstop/