Balance 013 marks the first time that three of the world’s most passionate and talented producers- Demi, Desyn Masiello and Omid 16B, have applied their dynamic and diverse sounds to an album.

Individually, they are recognised for their achievements in the world of electronic music, yet they work perfectly as a trio. They discovered their chemistry after they DJed together at London’s Neighbourhood nightclub in 2004, as well their Ibiza gigs, and many infamous ‘SOS on the Thames’ boat parties.

For the latest release of the Balance series, SOS pieced together a three-disc soundscape, which features re-edits of new and old favorites, including a few left-field and underground gems. Balance 013 embraces a variety of exhilarating sounds selected from the genres of house, underground techno, break-beats, and dub. This includes music ranging from the old school legends LFO, Inner City, Aphex Twin, the Cocteau Twins, The Cure and Bryan Ferry, to newer artists such as Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Dusty Kid and Ink & Needle.

Disc One reflects SOS's diverse palette and the experimental nature of the compilation, as the sound winds smoothly between dub, disco, soothing grooves, melodic breakbeats and house. Omid’s track “Seagull” commences with the soothing sounds of guitar and thunderstorms, and it is here you can sense the unfolding of something exceptional.

In Disc One, SOS dreamily blend one track into another, from Hypnotherapy’s mix of “Gliding”, to a ‘Surgeon’ remix of LFO’s beautifully crafted “Nurture”, on to an instrumental version of “Starstrings”.

Just as SOS use The Cure’s “Lullaby” to close Disc One, they then edit the track to commence Disc Two, a fun and diverse mix which makes no attempt to outshine the other two discs. Don’t miss Dusty Kid’s “Luna”, a lively track that is likely to funk away the winter blues!

Quite notable is an SOS mix of ‘Is This The Real Life’, containing the distinctive voice of Freddie Mercury. We are then introduced to a ‘Neon Skin’ mix of Slytek’s “Spin Out”. After an infusion of percussive techno, the energy climaxes before dropping back to the timeless sounds of Inner City’s catchy track “Big Fun”.

Disc Three follows a similar format to the second one, It’s a clever, beautifully assembled mix which is just as mesmerising, with tracks chosen from a group of underground talents. SOS move on from the less intense approach of the previous CD to mix some edgy rhythms and funky beats.

Notable tracks are Joash’s “Salome”, and a dub version of Aeroplane’s “Pacific Air Race”, which are cheerful, funky tracks that provides a fitting transition between the two mixes. This album falters somewhat until a mix of Joeski’s “Caribe Elektrico” and ends with the delightful Omid 16b  track “Full Of E_mty”.

Balance 013 confirms why people started labeling them as the ‘SOS collective’. It is first-rate, often surprising, quality mix that, as the introductory track would suggest, provides the perfect soundtrack for the coming wintery months.

Rating: 4/5 Storm Clouds