JZ returns to his spiritual compilation home to confirm the mounting buzz surrounding his first Masters Series…
Ask anyone what their favourite compilations are and, invariably, James Zabiela’s ‘ALiVE’ and ‘Utilities’ will feature amongst them… Then, ask anyone what their favourite compilation series is and, invariably, ‘Renaissance Masters Series’ will also crop-up… Put the two together and you have the recipe for one of the most eagerly anticipated dance compilations of 2009.
“I’m delighted to step-up and join the ranks of The Masters Series,†says an ever-humble JZ, “It’s produced some incredible comps over the years and, albeit nervously (lol!), am relishing the opportunity of joining its ranks.â€
“After recently completing the comp’ I can’t wait for it to hit the shelves. I haven’t done a solo compilation in over two years so I really went to town on it,†he adds.
And he isn’t kidding… James has produced two incredible discs that differ, yet compliment each other perfectly. Disc One – Down is what James describes as an ‘audio travelogue’, an intricately produced collage of beautiful electronica over-laid with his own ‘field recordings’, a suite of ambient sounds and spoken word that represent both his journeys on the road and in the air, and time and thoughts between gigs. The result is one of the most beautiful, unique mixes to emerge in recent years.
Disc Two – Up transports the listener to the club and is where James has chosen to feature 2 new original productions: a mix (Darkness.2) of the much-hyped ‘Dark By Design’ that he’s been road testing around the world in ’08 and a brand new Luke Dzierzek remix of ‘Perseverance’, which he’s also edited exclusively.
Finally, we couldn’t sign-off without giving a shout to James’ wider, exciting track selection, which features Trentemoller, Modeselektor, Boards Of Canada, Paul Woolford, Apparat, Extrawelt, plus many more…
CD One – Down
Intro – F Street
1. Michna – Believe In It
Hearing Voices / Washington DC Street Sounds
2. Trentemøller – Always Something Better (Original Mix)
Air Steward’s Command
3. Kuriaki – Express
Teleportation Quote
4. Cyan341 – Pattern 4 (LJ Kruzer Mix)
4am Rain / Humanity
5. Boards Of Canada – Amo Bishop Roden
6. Ed Chamberlain – Zarathustra
7. Modeselektor – Vote Or Die
Lost In Desire
8. Near The Parenthesis – A Brief Walk In The Sea
9. R3volve – All That You Lost
QE2 Departs
10. Pedram – Meet Your Maker
11. Esky – Number Station
Revolve Drums / What Is Beautiful Is Very Bright
12. Plaid – Marry
Baggage Belt / Vilnius Security Check
13. Quivver – Chasin A Feeling
14. Near The Parenthesis – Departing Gate
Thank you / Goodbye For Now
CD Two – Up
Intro – Eye Scanner Machine At Heathrow
1. Komytea -Afghanistan
2. Paul Woolford – Surrender (Original Mix)
3. Extrawelt – Added Planet
4. Spektre – Surface Scan
5. James Zabiela – Darkness 2
6. Komytea – Professional Killers
7. Sebastian ‘Freak’ Nikolai – Nachtmensch
8. Torro Remote – RSN08
9. Huggy & Dean Newton – Energy Flash (Reconstructed)
10. Alex Millan – Modern Love
11. James Zabiela – Perseverance (Luke Dzierzek Remix – Jzedit)
12. Luomo & Apparat – Love You All (Club Version)
13. Oliver Koletzki – Since You Are Gone
Eye Scanner Machine – Thank you
‘Renaissance: The Masters Series – James Zabiela’ is due 23 February 2009 in the UK and 31 March 2009 in North America.
