Artist: Bala
Title: The Stand
Label: Sumsonic Recordings
By: Simon Jones | 13 August 2002
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Darko Mix

Bala "The Stand"

Austin Leeds is already known for his releases on labels like Bedrock and Saw, but here he teams with Ariel Baund, label owner of the NEM imprint in Miami for a track that has already been supposed by the likes of Anthony Pappa who featured it on his recent 'Resolution' album, so without further ado here is Bala's The Stand.

The Original Mix stars off with some distorted effects and dark atmospherics which sets the mood nicely for what is to come. Tight arrangements form a percussive groove that slowly grows as the track builds on, teasing us with eerie vocal samples, as things start to get twisted. If there is one thing Austin Leeds seems to know about it's drums and they for sure are present here. Tough drums take us through the second half of the mix really letting rip and in the process tearing up a storm when you least expect it. Cunningly crafted.

Sumsonic's own Darko is up on the remix, with a whole dose of atmosphere leading us into a driving remix which is quite a departure from anything he's done before. Chunky beats take over and before you know it the pace is going flat out as percussion loops glide seamlessly over the drum fuelled groove. Large, hard and chunky. One to really send the floor into a frenzy, teasing the crowd all the while. Stunning stuff.

This release marks a change in direction for Sumsonic as it's the first release they've licensed in. Whether this will continue to happen I am not sure, but this time at least, the gamble has indeed paid off.