Jimmy Van M - Balance 010

Jimmy Van M - Balance 010 image

Released September 2006

Balance celebrates its milestone tenth release with Jimmy Van M’s epic 3-disc compilation Balance 010 on EQ Recordings. Jimmy’s reputation was shaped by his pioneering work for Balance, his pivotal role and involvement in the Delta Heavy tour with Sasha & Digweed, and his career-defining Bedrock compilation (2001).

His smooth mixing style, creative programming and talent for production have placed him among the elite of today’s DJs. Balance 010 is an astounding compilation that takes the listener on a well-crafted journey through the best of electronic music, exploring genres ranging from Downtempo to Minimal Techno, Ambient and Progressive. Similar to the "Back to Mine" series designed for the morning after chill-out session, Van M’s first two mixes can be admired for their intuitive selection of musical gems. The third mix is a heart-stopper.

Balance 010 as a 3 CD package is a must-have that will set the bar for DJs and music lovers alike – Jimmy Van M has arrived and is ready for global status.

Balance 010 shows Van M at his finest and most creative as he crosses the borders of every genre and produces an eclectic collection of Ambient/Downtempo, Trip-Hop, Techno and Progressive.

Disc 1 (Downtempo) is an ambient mix of melodic tracks, including the haunting beauty of Bill Laswell’s "Ethiopia", the atmospheric strings of Future Sound of London’s "Study of Six Guitars", the euphoric sweetness of Boards of Canada’s "Everything You is a Balloon" and Coldcut’s melancholic "Autumn Leaves". The mix also features tracks by Brian Eno, Laika, Autechre, Anoushka Shankar, Depeche Mode, Union Jack, and Bonobo.

Disc 2 (Midtempo) skilfully weaves a variety of acoustic and trip-hop music, including Miles Tilmann’s dreamy "Floating Windows", the whispy vocals of Steve T’s "How Are You?" and Cocteau Twins’ "Blue Bell Knoll", the minimal genius of Adam Johnson’s "Kriegspiel", and the atmospheric beauty of Peter Benisch’s "The Desert White" and Aphex Twin’s "Delphium". It also features Speedy J, LCD Soundsystem, Saint-Etienne, I:Cube and Brandi Ifgray.

Disc 3 (Uptempo) is a dark journey into the realm of Progressive and Acid/Minimal Techno, a club mix filled with razor-sharp grooves and penetrating beats. Djuma Soundsystem’s "Les Djinns" opens the mix and sets the tone for Solieb’s blippy minimal "Integrale", San Lebowski’s "The Reducer 2" and the hypnotic Tech-House perfection of Tom Pooks, Ellen Allien & Apparat, Jordano, Acid Test, 16 Bit Lolitas, DJ T & Booka Shade.

While compiling Balance 010, Van M was inspired by electronic music of both the past and present. His foray into such a distinctive and varied assembly of music was thanks to his personal repertoire and a love of all forms of music.

"This compilation was 15 years in the making, it offers different shades of music. The first two CDs are downtempo mixes that expose a different side of me as a DJ. It took three months of digging through my old CD collection, finding the faves, and shaping it into something meaningful. CD3 is the music that I’m playing in the clubs right now," says Jimmy. "My hope is that people will listen to this music for a long time. It’s not just one style, and was ultimately created for the audience in pursuit of quality. Hopefully it will touch everyone," says Van M.

Jimmy Van M launches a 5-month global tour to promote Balance 010 in October 2006 in Australia, Asia, and the USA, as well as the UK and Europe in early 2007. For tour schedules and additional information, visit Jimmy Van M’s website at www.JimmyVanM.com or Stomp Entertainment at www.Stomp.com.au