In my opinion still the best DJ mix of all time. It was groundbreaking at the time it came out and still sounds fresh today. The concept of a mix CD is fading as podcasts rise in popularity but at the time of its release I think it did have a profound effect on the electronic music world, introducing everyone to a fresh new sound that was so much more emotional and interesting than all the "progressive" monotony that was coming out at the time. Many of the artists featured on this mix like Nathan Fake have went on to become stars in their own right but were virtually unheard of at the time this album was released. You can hear aspects of the Border Community sound copied throughout just about all forms of 4/4 electronic music. I really think this album is the result of that. I still consider it the benchmark for any “mix” compilation.

I've heard James Holden's "Balance 005" mix-compilation firstly in 2003. Since that time, I've listened it hundreds and hundreds times...

James Holden has done really the hardest work. He has choosen thirty different tracks in different styles and made the greatest mix-compilation from them. Two red-coloured CDs sound lyric and atmospheric from the beginning to the end although there are some dark-style tracks in the first CD.

It is the only mix-compilation which is a masterpiece for me. I've heard many mixes but no one was such interesting like the Balance 005.

Thank you, James!

I became a James Holden fan 3 years ago when I purchased this CD. His vision is unbelievable and his brilliance and putting it all together in one glorious mix is evident on this Balance compilation. CD1 is absolutely one of my 'essential' mixes when people ask me for suggestions. I have not run across many others that can "speak" the way this one does. Holden continues to stretch his sound and vision into unchartered territory if you have continued to follow him. He is a talent. A must have for anyone looking for something extraordinary.

A pivotal, essential release. Possibly solely responsible for turning the prog types onto the more minimal side of things (what was Sasha's Fundacion if not a straight copy of this?), this is an extraodinary set in anyone's book, taking in ambient IDM (Outhouse), lush techno (End Titles), avant-acid freakouts (Holden's own The Wheel) and 'conventional' prog stompers (Lifeformation). The only weak moment is Do What You Want, marred by a dreadful cheesy vocal. This is that rarest of things, a DJ mix which transcends the usual aim of tricking you into thinking you're in a club, becoming instead an essential artistic statement.

The first CD is one of the few mixes that actually makes me fall apart. Sometimes it even makes me cry. It's so indescribably powerful... it works from groove to groove so well, progressing to a higher and higher emotional force. It finally just kills me when Jase From Outta Space - Do What You Want (Infusion's Sky Mix) is dropped. And this mix doesn't just die at a high point, it progresses back down to a gentle landing and leaves you satisfied, yet leaves you totally mind blown to such an extent that you wish it would have never ended. I love all kinds of dance music that is pumped with emotion... this goes right along masterpieces like Shpongle - Tales Of The Inexpressible. It's that kind of CD that never gets old. That you will always reach into your pile of CD's for. That CD that just doesn't not leave you, and becomes a part of you.

The second CD... I don't honestly care for. It just doesn't give me the same magic that the first one does. So get it for the first mix, but my oh my, its more than worth it.

This mix is still very actual and to my knowledge the best "progressive" mix set of the past few years. I have no doubt that I will still listen to this album in 10 years time and associate it with some of the best mind states I've had this year. A very powerful and emotional set but none of that cheesy shit that sounds old after a few listens. Essential album!

This is awesome!

First heard of James Holden, because of Sven Väth playing the track "holden - a break in the clouds" ..

After a few listenings to this impressive Mix, i decided to hear this before i sleep.. i woke up at nathan fake`s outhouse and it was really scaring me ;)
after this, the softer tracks appeared, and it fell asleep.
the next morning ( i got auto repeat on ) i woke up with PQM -you are sleeping ;)

it seems the cd fits to any situation, at least to bed-going and standing up- always a good mood :)

after i first heard these amazing CDs, i visited james holden`s Border Community every day to check out the new impressive releases of the master himself and his friends.

I bought this album after reading the above comments. And yes they are right : excellent mixing, beautiful melodies, hypnotising feel all way long, no rythm clashes, this one I've been waiting for for ages. The tracks are all by obscure artists (bar one track and one remix from the man hiself), but god do they shine when played! This one is getting more and more interesting with each listening, and I think I will listen to this one for a long time.
The only criticism (if I have to express a criticism) is juste that is misses a bit some peaks and valleys, the perfect mixing and selection of tracks making it a little to samey over the course of the two records. But despite this (very) minor complain, this album is up ther with the best.

between Sander Kleinenbergs' Rennaissance compilation and James Holdens' Balance cd both are very close to the cds of year 2003.This is cutting edge electronic music filled with lush melodies,hypnotic in parts and produced exceptionally well.You don't expect anything less from Holden but, now do you?.These tracks have real soul to them.

All i can say is thank you James Holden for producing one of the best mix comps. in recent years. After years of waiting for a true melodic, floaty, progressive journey mix, finally one has made the shelves. To be compaired to Sasha is something of an honour for this young DJ but then to live up to the comparison is justified with this CD. I could mention all the tracks i love but i'd name all 30!. If you want something that expresses what beautiful dance music is and how it should be mixed, buy this record.....If there are any DJ's in Sydney that play this music for hours and not half an hour of Prog. and 3 hours of bangin trance please let yourself be known