Weekend Weapons…James Zabiela

Weekend Weapons…James Zabiela

24 February, 2009 | 2.16PM

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: Music News: james zabiela, renaissance

It would be unfair to describe James Zabiela as a wonderkid anymore, as he stepped out of those ‘fascinating nu skool DJ’ shoes a long time ago to become one of the most enthralling live DJ performers on the planet.

His reputation precedes him wherever he goes - his unique skills and mixing wizardry are second to none - but beyond his live remixing and incessant button pushing there is a deeper musical knowledge that almost guarantees every Zabiela set will invariably have some upfront major dancefloor slayers.

And indeed James Zabiela’s new ‘The Masters Series’ mix for Renaissance is full of chunky, electro tech records and whopping basslines, but there are also deeper, more graceful moments to the compilation.

It is for this very reason that we asked James to take over this week’s Weekend Weapons feature. Here are Mr. Zabiela’s current big three, in his own words.

1. Apparat ‘Arcadia’ (Telefon Tel Aviv Version)

This is amazing record originally.

It’s highly emotive and is made only more poignant by the tragic loss of Telefon’s Charlie Cooper.

I have played this a few times at the end of the night but it’s too special to be played at every gig.

For the right occasion it could send the audience home in tears of joy. Magical.

2. Joey Beltram ‘Striking Distance’

Dark, spooky tech; great for sweaty dark rooms.

The drums are very solid as you can imagine and rattle through club systems leaving devastating results.

It’s wicked that someone so seminal back from the early days is still making great music. Inspiring.

3. Rektchordz ‘Feed your Head’ (Elite Force Remix)

There aren’t many peak-time breaks tracks around these days that have the certain quality to them to fit into my sets.

A lot of the stuff around is too gnarly or nu-rave sounding. Whilst this certainly has a ‘gnarlyness’, it’s one that is comparable to early Chemical Brothers tracks.

This would be as at home on the soundtrack of Wipeout on Playstation as it is in a large dirty warehouse.

When the warm sub drops in it rocks the floor and the monstrous breakdown sends the place mental. Peak-time only!

James Zabiela’s ‘The Master Series’ will be available on Beatport at the end of the month

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