Portable Minds 019 w/ Jody Barr

Around the turn of the millennium, Danny Bonnici, as part of Nubreed, was at the forefront of an emerging sound known as progressive breaks—a golden era in electronic music. Celebrating that, he has curated a 2-hour mix featuring tracks from Luke Chable, Nubreed, Sasha, Andy Page, and more.

Click link above for tracklist and our Top 5 Essential Progressive Breaks interview with Danny.

@dannybonnici

Essential Progressive Breaks

Interview + Tracklist

Essential Progressive Breaks mixed by Danny Bonnici || Balance Music

A Just Her set blends electronica, house, and deep techno, imbued with an emotional touch designed to capture both the feet and heart of her audience. This skill was honed through a journey from buying vinyl with paper route earnings to becoming a distinguished DJ, producer, songwriter, and label owner (Constant Circles). It's an aspring story, one that's led Just Her to a notable discography on labels including Anjunadeep, Crosstown Rebels, Global Underground and, lest we forget, Balance Music. 

Yet, the Just Her goal transcends mere success: she aspires to infuse the industry with kindness and compassion. We daresay she's succeeeding; that energy is evident in this excellent session. 

Across 90 minutes you’ll find a heady but joyful mix of contemporary house (Logic1000, Byron the Aquarius), UK garage-breaks (Beatune, Lili Chan) and progressive-tinged deep techno (Nakadia, Sasha), all stitched together with exquisite vocal cuts from, of course, Just Her.

Balance Selections 278: Just Her

Interview & Traklist

The old adage "they don't make them like they used to" might seem trite; however, it certainly applies to Belgian producer Pole Folder. During the 2000s, his knack for delivering epic and soaring productions that immersed you into a world of narrative was unparalleled. Listen to the amazing "Apollo Vibes" (alongside CP); it is intricate yet feels huge, unfolding its themes with the confidence of a master magician. All that craft ensured his music being featured on prominent US TV shows (Nip/Tuck, CSI) and movies (2002’s "Stark Raving Mad"). 

Today, Pole Folder is still acknowledged as a versatile performer who continues to tour globally, bringing his intricate studio creations to life with live vocals and various instruments he has mastered since childhood. For more of his work, check out his Reworck label, which features a deep discography.

Here, the veteran does not disappoint. Featuring tracks from Fort Romeau, Marsh, Rodriguez Jr., and, of course, Pole Folder himself, this is a deep, 2-hour progressive excursion filled with many emotional vocal cuts and introspective moments.

@pole-folder

Balance Selections 279: Pole Folder

Tracklist + Interview

Considering his more than 30 years of experience in electronic music, it’s safe to say that Pablo De Mattei AKA PAUL (AR), knows a thing or two about dance music. It's evident in his bookings: From Lollapalooza to Creamfields to Moonpark, there aren’t many Argentinean music festivals that haven’t featured Paul (AR) on their stages. He defines his style as a mixture of Progressive and Tech House, a style that has taken him across the globe from Spain to Peru. Labels from Sudbeat to Perfecto has featured his work, and he was most recently seen on Balance Music through his contribution to the 'Balance presents Dave Seaman and Quivver' compilation.

Featuring a host of unofficial Paul (AR) remixes of acts like James Zabiela and Way Out West, alongside original tracks from Nicolas Rada, Dmitry Molosh, and more, the Argentinean delivers a delightful 90 minutes of progressive music suitable for any occasion.

@pablo-de-mattei

Balance Selections 280: Paul (AR)

TRACKLIST + INTERVIEW

Balance Selections 280: PAUL (AR)

UK-based artist and DJ Four Candles, whose real name is Kris Brown, is recognized for his innovative approach to dance music that avoids fleeting trends. After working with industry legend Nick Muir, his artistic break came on Bedrock Records. Follow up productions found their way onto some of the most respected imprints, from Selador to Afterglow and Tenampa.

His recent Balance release, ‘On the Fence' (featured below in Q+A), is one of the standout moments on the recent Balance presents Dave Seaman and Quivver compilation. It’s a unique production rooted in the prog of yesteryear but with a contemporary twist: it’s a sound borne from staying artistically true to oneself.

On this excellent mix, Four Candles builds the energy with artisanal ease. Alongside tracks from Donato Dozzy, Spence Brown and Kamilo Sanclemente, you’ll also find exceptional takes by Four Candles on tracks from Leftfield and Sasha.

@fourcandlesmusic

Balance Selections 281: Four Candles

INTERVIEW + TRACKLIST

Hello everyone, Nick Warren here 👋 ... I'd like to introduce you to my new series, Deeper. Each month, I'll be sharing my favorite tracks in a one-hour mix session, featuring exclusive tracks from producers around the world and plenty of music that is yet to be released in the upcoming months. I hope you enjoy this journey with me 🌿

Nick Warren - Deeper - Episode 1 (May 2024)

Nowadays, finding a good full-length album is challenging, which is a real shame. For decades, the LP was a beacon of artistic intention, but streaming platforms like Spotify have reshaped the way music listeners engage with music. To hold attention, it needs to stand out. It needs dynamics. Thankfully, 'Nostalgia,' the new Alex O'Rion full-length, does just that. We had an illuminating conversation with the producer about what makes this album such an essential listen.

To celebrate the release, the high-flying Dutchman provided us with an exclusive mix stamped with his usual seal of quality. 

Full tracklisting and interview: https://bit.ly/4br0zeZ

@alexorion

Balance Extra: Alex O'Rion

Interview & Tracklist

5 magical hours in Buenos Aires with the best audience in the world. A musical collage made exclusively with my music. I hope you enjoy it! 🌵🙏🏼✨
5 horas magicas en Buenos Aires repasando mi carrera con el mejor publico del mundo. Un collage musical  hecho exclusivamente con mi música. Espero que lo disfruteis! 🌵🙏🏼✨

MIRAGE BY HENRY SAIZ 7: EGOTRIP @ Buenos Aires (Only Henry Saiz Music)

The name Steven Weston is gaining more prominence, which is well overdue given his impressive career in music. His CV includes an engineering background working with artists ranging from drum and bass act Rudimental to reggae artist Chronixx, while he’s toured the world playing keyboards for the likes of Ladyhawke, Charli XCX, and Mikky Ekko. Weston also counts James Lavelle as a fan, having regularly collaborated with the veteran for 10 years now. But his passion lies in deep, progressive music, and since entering the arena he's signed to labels such as Anjunadeep, Bedrock, and Last Night On Earth.

With tracks from GMJ, Durante, UNKLE, and Duo State, this Balance Selections mix highlights a music purveyor who lives and breathes the intricacies of the sound he has dedicated himself to.

@stevenweston

Balance Selections 283: Steven Weston

Interview+ Tracklist

London producer Jody Barr readies the second release on his fledgling imprint Portable Minds after a successful inauguration that garnered support from Eats Everything, Laurent Garnier and Skream. In for 002 is an uncompromising 3-track EP including 2 tracks from the label owner himself and a stellar remix from Phantasy affiliate Kamera.

The ‘Turbo Jangle’ EP is cold and heavy paring that melds his seismic kicks with rasping analogue synths. Galvanised drums and carefully managed reverb see Barr’s sights set to big-room spaces whilst a subtle suffusion of dub maintains a sense of class. Next up, Kamera - an artist recently collared by Erol Alkan’s label and one who matches the ethos of Portable Minds perfectly - provides his take on the title track.

Hissing textures and tearing hi hats sit atop bit-crushed melodies and menacing sweeps in a revision that manages to maintain a sense of fervid tension without ever quite boiling over. Together all three sit as a serious coup for a label in such early development and provide an exciting insight into what’s in store from Portable Minds.

Supported by:
 
Richie Hawtin, Magda, James Zabiela, George Fitzgerald, Huxley, Erol Alkan, Maceo Plex, Tiga, Luca Agnelli, Agoria, Annie Mac (Radio 1), Monki (Radio 1) Liar, Anthony Pappa, AFFKT, Alkalino, Sishi Rosch, Jamie Trench, SOAME, Dan Drastic, DEMI, Luca Agnelli, Kid Enigma, Franco Bianco, ASA 808, Ewan Pearson, Patrick Zigon, Marco Carola, Christian Nielsen, GRNDWRK, Geddes

Turbo Jangle

Beatport

Jody Barr - Turbo Jangle (Kamera Remix) [PM002] PREVIEW

PORTABLE MINDS

Headed up by ascending artist Jody Barr, Portable Minds is an independent imprint that aims to operate outside of the constraints of close-mindedness. The intention set by Barr is for the platform to allow both himself and his peers to express themselves freely without having to compromise their productions and the output will predominantly take the shape of single-artist EPs that showcase the more daring and unique facets of participants studio skills. 

Having been inaugurated by Barr himself with his ‘Culture Vulture’ EP - a release that caught the attention of producers such as Jamie Jones, XXXy, Laurent Garnier and Groove Armada - upcoming releases will eventually bring more into the fold. All bringing with them the same degree balance of intrigue and power, EPs will be largely focused towards the dance floor although the experimental streak running through the project will no doubt result in some records falling left-of-centre.

Jody Barr - Turbo Jangle (Kamera Remix) [PM002] PREVIEW

Portable Minds

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