Balance Selections 290: Fretwell

Anyone with a passing interest in early and mid-2000s progressive breaks will know the name Fretwell. The Sheffield producer’s lush take on the sound was signed to renowned labels including Global Underground, Bedrock, and Electrofly, the breaks offshoot of Baroque Records. Most notably, he contributed the exquisite “Faceless“ to Anthony Pappa’s Balance 006. Nowadays, he occasionally returns to production, with recent works including remixes for Pole Folder’s Reworck imprint and Aussie label Zero Tolerance Recordings (his take on the classic Digby & Oliver track “Human“). It’s clear the veteran still possesses the magic that made him such a reliable production force. In his first DJ mix in over a decade, he delivers a fluid 80-minute set in which his progressive breaks credentials are well and truly on display. Featuring tracks from James Harcourt, Luke Chable & Steve May, Forty Cats and Framewerk, this one demands repeated listens. @timfretwell