John Sharp gets reflective and emotional whilst listening to Guy J’s Balance Presents…
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Amidst the political, racial, sexual propaganda style media coverage that’s currently present in the UK, it becomes difficult to focus on what you are hoping to achieve from the day without these vicious seeds influencing the judgmental mind of a human being. I rely heavily on music to assist in the everlasting quest to makes sense of the environment around and within me.
The TV ‘News’ off (thank fuck). In goes the left earphone, then the right. Press play. Hop on the bike and away I go. Everything that has ever been said, played, viewed, heard or done, affects someone somewhere. Solace in music. Being tickled and pickled by everyday life situations (many from the past and many about future prospects), this Balance Presents release once again pulls me into my present – a space in time I seem to avoid a lot, but a place I love whenever I return.
My first in the flesh experience with Guy was when Fluidlife teamed up back in 2011 with Balance and Darkbeat for a Balance Presents show with Guy J at Roxanne Parlour in Melbourne. Was a Balance Presents Guy J release in the sights of the label at this time?? Who knows? Given the formidable form and intricate selection of artists from the label over the years, I’d hazard a guess and say yes, this one was on the cards. This night was more special for me than any of my past events as it was the first occasion my partner at the time would see the fruits of my labour that I love so, so much. She’d see the fruits of that which occupies my every thought, every phone call, and every conversation with each and every person I communicated with. Excited and nervous much? Very.
Throughout the whole mix, my mind is guided through a myriad of deep emotions. Guy J, a sovereign of emotion probing. Do I wish I was a better partner? Do I miss her? Very dearly. Having met Guy and sharing beers with him, his humility is aspirational in the ever judgmental industry of electronic music. Guy sets the tone with his mood-scaping remix of DJ Yellow & Flowers and Sea Creatures ‘No One Gets Left Behind’ (Guy J Edit): an incredible track to say the least with haunting vocals and an industrial, yet peaceful, musical presentation behind it. It flows beautifully into Guy’s remix of Roger Martinez & Secret Cinema ‘Menthol Raga’ – upon the drop from a beautiful build in this track, the image of a Cheetah in full flight across the African Savannah floods my mind’s eye, casting my energy into a spiritual realm, and it is right here where I am in a zone where time has no meaning anymore.
Circa 20 mins into the mix, Guy smashes my hypnosis to a whole new level. I am a happy man. His edit of APM 001 ‘Migrants’ (Radio Slave Accapella) [Guy J Edit] takes me back to an experience I had at the infamous Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia where tears were rolling down my face in elation to the music I was absorbing. My aforementioned partner looked at me and with a loving, warm energy said “Only you would cry to techno”, whilst I was dancing (amazingly in my perception) semi naked, off my nut on life and acid with an incredible Indian chief headpiece on. One of the many free moments I’ve had in my life. All of those ‘free’ moments evoked through music of course. Guy, whether he knows it or not, kindles freedom.
The final 45 mins deliver a collection of productions that I’m finding really hard to explain. Well at least explain in a typical review sense. It’s a very unique experience for me not to have a reason or explanation of what goes through my mind. This, I can only put down to being blown away. With such beauty words are never, ever required. What I can offer you is that Guy -as expected- has delivered a Balance Presents offering that surpasses comprehension. The track Navar ‘Phases Of Grief’ (Guy J remix) takes me to a realm of what I can only illustrate as opportunity. The delicate hats and beautiful synths composed in a manner of respect that caters to the listeners highest levels of appreciation. Guy is saying thank you. Musically. To the hearer. Whilst I’m in this incredible mind-state, it’s the follow up track to Pavel Petrov ‘Fever’ (Pezzner mix)/DJ T Ft. Cari Golden ‘City Life’ (Accapella) (Guy J Edit) that really causes a life and death situation. Totally engaged by what I’m hearing I had no idea of my bicycle’s positioning on the road, leading to what can only be described as a duel with a meth-amphetamine infused truck driver clearly needing sleep and/or sexual relief. The ever ending battle between the cyclist and motorist. Fuck them is all I felt at that particular moment. Further on into the mix, Guy takes us into the classic prog-feel track of Echomen ‘Perpetual’ (Guy J Remix), and then into a gentle journey-esque, latin vibe expression with Guy J’s remix of Guy Manzur ‘I’m in your country’.
Overall, I recommend listening to this whilst doing something you love. To get the best out of anything, always do something in an environment where you’re at your optimum. Even if not in the ‘ideal’ environment, this mix is one I believe will be regarded highly across the board. To the new listener, take your time in hearing. There’s a big difference between listening and hearing. To the die hard, prepare for something very, very special.
Balance + Guy J = World Peace?
This is expressionism at its finest. This is Balance Presents Guy J.
