James turns CDJs into a bona fide instrument in a way that only a handful of DJs have ever been able to. (He’s such an expert, in fact, that he advises Pioneer on their products, and takes prototypes out for test runs.) He makes full use of everything DJing equipment has to offer, with a complex approach that incorporates loops, effects, and live editing to create an inimitable performance he’s taken across the world from the US to South America to Asia and Europe.
Zabiela has been active since the early 2000s, with a number of mix CDs and original productions for Renaissance. He also runs his own label, Born Electric, which has released techno and house from the likes of Pedram, Pedestrian and Drew Hill.
The special nature of Zabiela’s talent was strikingly evident with Balance 029, his contribution to the revered mix series released early last year. The artist painstakingly blended 58 tracks over two mixes, an intricate process of harmonic re-construction that took 12-months and resulted in a work remarkable for its intricate detail. The final work featured tracks from Pye Corner Audio, Kornel Kovacss, Radio Slave, Avalon Emerson, Ryan James Ford and Special Request and rates amongst the finest in Balance’s decorated cannon. Deservedly, it was judged Compilation of 2018 in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards, while likewise Mixmag also featured it in their best of year list.
Active since the early 2000s, it continues Zabiela’s history of creating standout career works, including the highly lauded ALiVe and Utilities compilations. Since 2012, he runs the Born Electric imprint that has released music from Pedram, Pedestrian, Jody Barr and of course Zabiela himself. Midway through 2018 a new ambient cut ‘Vines’ was released, featuring superb re-rubs from HOLOVR and Luke Vibert’s Earlham Mystics Project. Enjoying an inspired run in the studio during the latter stages of last year, Zabiela will release a series of EPs throughout 2019.