ha ha, so finally JZ (not the hip-hop variety) has a chance for a RA Podcast.

Thought I'd hate this as he's the gimmick-iest of DJs but it's really solid. A nice selection of tracks I've never heard before.

Downloaded this before travelling and let me tell you listening to this mix while at airport terminals and on the plane (it was on repeat) was quite an amazing experience, I felt like he provided the soundtrack to my travel's. Brilliant mix that needs to be listened to while on the move. Thank you so much JZ and RA!!!

I'm not saying you have to like it, or even that you shouldn't give negative feedback. I'm just saying don't be a cunt.

...

I'm not saying you have to like it, or even that you shouldn't give negative feedback. I'm just saying don't be a cunt.


YES !

what the F!??! Making the hair on my arms stand up and giving me goosebumps! This is one fantastic mix!!!

I love the Sarkozy styled answer to the "How Was The Mix Recorded?" question, common James spit it out; Ableton Live.

nice

Fantastic

I have probably listened to this mix about 15 times already. Quite easily. One of my favourite episodes to date. Went to a club in Nottingham about 8yrs ago called the Bomb. James Zabiela was warming up for Sasha. I had to leave before Sasha got on the decks. I was distraught. I heard this guy live for the 1st time. I was upset. Very upset. Upset that someone was way better than me at Djing. Now I just listen to his mixes & enjoy them no end. He is a serious talent.

This mix is incredible.

'Well if you start any mix with SYNKRO and in this instance
(Synkro & Indigo - Guidance - Exit Recordings) ....your on to a winner !!!'

If were gonna call this dubstep and continue to complain about it, i dont know what to say really. Really amazing tune.

Really enjoyed it, it seems hes 'calmed down' a bit, his mixes a couple of years ago were a bit too shifty and extreme for me sometimes. Its definitely not aimed at killing a dancefloor or anything but theres nothing wrong with that.

Zabiela does gimmicks to keep the crowd entertained, but he has had quality, innovation and grooves in his sets since he started as a DJ.

Quality mix this, the programming is super and the tunes so coherent.

Bang on.

I’ve just finished listening to this, and it’s well crafted (almost cyclical) in terms of the beginning song choices and matching book-ended tempos. It feels very widescreen and filmic; similar to his last two essential mixes (I remember the one that began with a wonderful REM (of all things) vocal loop) and the track list has obviously been closely considered. I also admire the technical excellence on show; especially in the treatment of the vocals and in the use of effects. However, I have several problems with it. Firstly, is there any need to call some of the sections “remixing”? I’d like to think most RA subscribers have the nous to work out when he’s manipulating the tunes in question, and it feels a bit didactic and lofty to separate these sections out, giving the impression that we’re getting an instruction – like the DJ is saying “look you plebs, I’m rmxing now”. Also I find some of the sequences a little jarring – the one after the Drive sample in particular, and as an overall work, it’s little too sanitised and soulless. Clever yes, but it feels like a John Williams film score at times; designed to tug at the heart strings, rather than to give the listener space to provoke a reaction: a bit like a RA podcast version of a Tom Hanks film. My final and very personal gripe is that aside from the Talabot and the Martyn tunes, I simply do not like the records he’s playing either. Solid mix as someone else has posted here and the technical dexterity is pretty astounding, but it doesn’t send shivers up this old man’s spine.

Best thing I've heard from him since those 4 "Acid House" mixes. Nice to hear him using his talents on something other than prog.

I like that he digs gadgets so much

That's simply awesome! love it! great RA!

Brilliant!

agree. the proton mixes were epic. this is patchy to be fair, but still way better than the pack...

the Tim Mitcham sample at the end is an interesting perspective. nice one James, maybe not so introspective next time, it takes the essence of your ability away and makes the mix a little to contrived and sterile. just sayin...

Soap&Skin + Apparat = so good!

Pure class, pure class. Enjoyed it from go to whoa, just as I knew I would. This is what dance music is all about, flowing, emotive, funky and soulful. Thanks James and RA, this will get many listens.

JZ: mad respect for this dark moody journey .. love the selection and flow ..

Amazing mix. One of the best RA podcasts ever. Period.

beautifully compiled work of art...BRAVOO!!

You can tell James put a lot of work into this. Well done Mr. Zabiela!

Great set

haha yeah was thinking the same thing, proper politician answer! nowt wrong with studio mixes anyway

Loved it.

just pressed play - and my god it sounds wonderful

My sentiments exactly! (But then again, I'm an old timer too!)
Too clever by far for its own good - like most of his work since about 2005.
This man has forgotten a long time ago about the dance imperative of "dance" music.

I've got to say I thought the Bass at the beginning was the best part (so much love for Synkro), though I liked the way it transitioned into the 4/4. I do worry sometimes that all this melodic stuff is getting a little bit too trancey, but it stayed the right side of cheese for me.

It's not a full-on dance mix, I agree, but then I rarely listen to podcasts when I want to dance. This mix is great for around the house, walking the streets or taking the night-bus home.

My eyes welled up at the end and had goosebumps the whole way through.. An emotional seamless beautiful journey. Thank you Mr Z!! My mix of the year..

This set is amazing, very well put together and some of the tracks are mind blowing.

Credit to James Zabiela

Very interesting mix, but as a "concept" mix it was not very cohesive and a little too shaggy for my tastes. It reminded me of Djrum's mix earlier this year, with less atmosphere.

i thought it was shitty and offensive at points.

YES thank you... i thought this mix, was offensive. No other word for it.

Love his use of samples as transitions.

brillitant as usual . one of best dj's out there

Agree 100%. I listened to this again, and the mix just isn't very interesting or inspiring to me.

i've listened to this mix about 5 times, and it takes on a new meaning with each listen. not exactly the mix i was expecting, but it had enough cohesiveness to grab you from the beginning and not let go until it's over. overall, i commend the effort.

Anyone know where to get a tracklisting for this mix?

Quality mix, not all mixes have to be banging all the way through, I like the journey personally.

What movie is the first quote from?

Fair play to Zabiela. I didn't know what to expect from this or think I'd be interested, but it's probably my favourite RA mix for ages. Stands up to repeated listening. 5*.

He has done it again fave Dj since 08, always challenging the senses. Great mix well done and thanks

Fantastic. A mix that never keeps on being fascinating for all its 90 minutes.

best mix i've heard this year .... end of