The Balance series has rightly secured a reputation for originality and exploration within electronic music, and the first compilation from Spanish DJ and producer Henri Saiz stays true to that mission. To his enormous credit Saiz chooses a pair of set lists containing absolutely no music that has been previously released – so all the sounds here are new. CD1 starts out cautiously but gradually builds a lot of tension through staying rooted to the same pitch, an approach that works once the 303s start circling and the beats start to roll. When the music does start to fully move Saiz works it well. CD2 is quicker and more immediate, the stand-out tracks being Saiz’s own co-productions with Spada and Dosem, enjoying some percussion-rich freedom but keeping things moving at a fair old lick. This comp is more of a grower, and needs a few listens to make its mark, but it shows off a producer and DJ talent who could, on this evidence, make quite a name for himself with the likes of Renaissance.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood