James Zabiela came up in an era in which a mixtape in the right hands could kick-start a DJ career. This is famously how he got his break when in 2000 he won the Bedroom Bedlam competition in UK magazine Muzik. The excessive care and attention poured into the mix is an approach that's never left him. Zabiela has mixed four compilations for UK specialists Renaissance down the years, each displaying surgeon-like precision in their application of samples, track selections and flair. Yes, we said flair: Zabiela's dizzying technical skills have been his most famous asset, applying a technologically enhanced hip-hop style to house and breakbeats. Zabiela has also been on the books at DJ gear manufacturer Pioneer for years, road testing their flagships models and aiding their design. (As he explains below, his suggestions have resulted in features on the market product.)