"We were involved with the Ska & Reggae Festival last summer, and out of that came the two unreleased Dubmatix tracks that are on Northern Faction 4," explains Balanced Records manager Adam Hannibal about the local label's new independent radio chart-topping compilation.

"We played Dubmatix early versions of the comp, he's a very down-to-earth kind of guy, and he was into it. Now (Toronto-based) Dubmatix just got a Juno nomination for the reggae album of the year. We also have new material from Brace on Northern Faction 4. We did his latest release in the summer - DJ Brace presents The Electric Nosehair Orchestra in Nostomania - it was just nominated for a Juno award for instrumental album of the year. Brace is also playing the official Juno reception party in Vancouver."

Woah, street beaters! Dubmatix reggae to the left, DJ Brace instros to the right and Juno nominations all around - keeping the house in order, with the controls set directly in the centre, is what keeps Adam Hannibal and the Balanced crew at the top of their cultured musical-production game.

"We've been releasing a compilation about every two years," Hannibal continues regarding the Northern Faction series. "Our first was all local; this one is half local/half imports. It also has the heaviest dub and reggae presence. Some of the artists we just blindly solicited - like Noiseshaper, track two, from Vienna.

"It's an interesting compilation with lots of variety. I think we did a good job of capturing a range of style and emotions. It gets edgier in the middle. There's dreamy, mellow sounds, and really catchy ones, too."

It's the most accessible Northern Faction release to date, and the response to the artists on it has been great. Here's a PR bleat treat to give U an idea of what's on the thing: "Showcasing artists from around the globe, Northern Faction 4 features contributions from Noiseshaper, Subatomic Sound System, Dubmatix, Richie Phoe, Chronic Sonata, Hitori Tori, Ancient Astronauts and Dubin Hood. Rounding off the collection are tracks from Balanced residents Solidaze, The Seed Organization, Rise Ashen, Leaf System (featuring Hannibal & Spencer), Billy Rockwell, Kasm (Hannibal), Fascade@137db and collaboration between Cain & DJ Brace."

U can check out the actuated aural action when U hit the exciting Northern Faction 4 CD-release party at the Lo Pub, 330 Kennedy St., on Feb. 28 featuring DJ sets by Kasm, Red Worm, Dexx, The Seed Organization and Solidaze. Check out balanced-records.com/northern_faction_4/ for more info and audio.

"We like to promote the DJs though our website," Hannibal informs. "There's 19 to 20 hours of podcasts from them up there. Almost a whole day's worth."

After saturating in all those free pods, U'll be ready for the real thing live at the NF4 party!

"It's a night of DJs," Hannibal says. "Most of the DJs contributed to Northern Faction 4 in some way, as producers or other ways.

"The show will be a bit more dance floor-oriented and will feature dub/reggae, dancehall, afrobeat and house music."

Also check this out: Hannibal says the label is planning to start a new imprint to compliment Balanced.

"It's Balanced House," he says. "It's a digital-only label. Dance right now is driven by MP3 culture."

The future includes a stronger digital focus for Balanced Records and, obviously, Balanced House, but Hannibal says the label will also concentrate on vinyl as a format for some of its applicable new releases.

"We did Brace as a vinyl EP and it sold out. It sold more than the CD," Hannibal adds. "We're going to follow up Northern Faction 4 with a series of EPs."

Got some news to bleat? No attachment treat! Keep it textly sweet! Fire tips to Don at Street Beat! streetbleep@hotmail.com.