Various Artists - Northern Faction 4 (Balanced Records)
The fourth compilation in Balanced Records’ Northern Faction series not only showcases homegrown Winnipeg talent, including former Canadian DMC champ and 2009 Juno nominee DJ Brace, veteran house/downtempo producer Solidaze, and dubhead The Seed Organization, but illustrates how far the label’s reach now extends internationally, with contributions from Austria’s Noiseshifter, Germany’s Ancient Astronauts and the U.K.’s Richie Phoe.
Tapping into the slow-burning, post-downtempo feel that has been the foundation of the label since its launch in 2001, many of the cuts on NF4 straddle the line between hazy dub-reggae rhythms and warm, relaxed beats.
Surprisingly, DJ Brace isn’t the only Juno nominee on NF4. Along with the reverb-heavy Black Madonna Dub, Toronto producer Dubmatix, who is up for Reggae Recording of the Year at the Junos this March, contributes the horn-drenched Ischense Dub.
While many compilations can be hit or miss with so many artists represented, Balanced has done an exceptional job bringing together a diverse talent pool that fits together so well.
Check it out yourself: the Northern Faction 4 CD release party goes down tonight at the Lo Pub, 330 Kennedy St.
Listen to the album here.
4 stars
Originally appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press.
