Melbourne based distribution, marketing and record company Balance Music has been known to promote quality independent dance, indie and electronic music. Their globally renowned Balance Series has garnered much critical and commercial acclaim owing to their persistence on quality and penchant for cutting-edge production. The record company has now laid eyes on Danish sensation Rune Reilly Kölsch as they bring his delectable style and euphoric DJing skills to the fore in their latest ‘Balance Presents‘ edition. The Compilation album reads as a journey into the whirlwind world of Techno, with a blissful array of Originals and Remixes as handpicked by Kölsch himself. Needless to say, this is one stunner of an album which effortlessly bridges the gaps between strong melodies and the incisiveness of boundary-pushing techno.
Kölsch kicks off this sureal journey with the yesteryear classic ‘Journey Of The Dragons‘ by Galaxy 2 Galaxy – a track which lends an almost ethereal tone to the mix with its deep recessed basslines and gushing pads. The tone shifts ever so slightly with the minimalistic ‘It’s All Over (John Talabot’s Stripped Remix)‘ which offers a caressing arrpegiating bassline that only gets our feet tapping but ears tuned out straight. By the time we arrive on Henrik Schwarz‘s ‘Lockstep‘, there is a drastic yet calculated shift in energy and mood as haunting pianos lend a sense of mystique that blends into the Radiohead classic ‘Videotape‘. Kölsch curates the mix with such care and attention finely adjusting the pitches and hi’s & mid’s so as to not allow any overlapping beat delays to tip us off this musical journey. He finds the opportune moment, somewhere between the dusky sounds of Dhumen‘s ‘No More‘ and the poignant Adrian Hour‘s ‘Chordgresion‘, to interspace the launch of his own new release ‘Punchbuggy‘. About the track here’s what he has to say.
Drawing on influences from early years, as a contrast it only seemed fitting to bring something completely new to the table. This won’t be out until my next album drops, and is a throwback to my cosmic travels through Europe in the back seat of my parents car.
Storming in Maceo Plex’s fantastic remix of Odd Parents‘ ‘Learn to fly‘, he takes the mix to a blissful high, before Stephan Hinz & Phillipp Ruhmhardt’s ‘Panther‘ teases us with its grinding riffs delighting all senses all at once. Not before time, Kölsch unveils ‘Papageno‘ and illustrates his penchant for cutting-edge techno with perfection and finesse. Kenny Larkin’s sublimely undulating ‘Plankton‘ provides a somewhat mellow stepping stone for Tale Of Us & Mano Le Tough’s gigantic Caribou remix to seep in gently. The mix reaches its crescendo with the fan favorite Kölsch remix of Coldplay’s ‘A Sky Full Of Stars‘, taking the legendary band’s unbridled euphoria into a more subtle and considered place. The mix finds a perfect and almost contrasting end through the euphoric yet perfectly selected Joris Voorn’s wonderfully haunting remix of Audion and Troels Abrahamsen’s ‘Dem Howl‘, which fills the final stages of this journey with graceful pads and soulful vocals making for a fittingly emotive ending.
I’ve incorporated some of my favourite records of all time in this mix, and I’m so proud that we have been able to get all these beautiful pieces of music on to one disc.
It took me a while to find the perfect tracks for the mix, as I was looking for the perfect balance of very musical records with vocals, and the more energetic tracks. I’m very happy with the outcome. I tested out the mix a few times, and for me the best way to listen to it is while traveling. In the plane or car, it really makes sense.
Check out the preview of this incredible mix below and be sure to grab this brilliant mix here.
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