After a stellar 2012 that marked its heralded return to releasing hiplashing, dancefloor-ready techno and tech house, Blackflag Recordings kicks off the new year with another drum-driven gem, this time from rising Spanish star Paco Maroto who delivers his 'My Way' EP.

In keeping with the Blackflag ethos of nurturing the next wave of impressive DJ/production talent, Maroto remains one of the most lauded new artists to bubble up from Barcelona's fertile underground. His music has been supported by Richie Hawtin, Umek, Steve Lawler, Nic Fancuilli, Slam, Sebastian Leger and of course Stacey Pullen on labels such as Fresco Records, Younan Music, Stereo Pro, Insert Coin and Definitive, among others. Since 2009, he's also headed up his own imprint Muzak Records, while proving his DJing stripes with gigs at Space Ibiza, Amnesia and Privilege.

For his debut release on Blackflag, the Catalonian has bagged a winner with 'My Way', a no-nonsense techno stomper that's complemented by catchy synth notes and tailor-made for peak-time dancefloors. On remix duty Rafa Barrios offers a quirky tech house cut packed full of low-end groove and tribal rhythms, while fellow Spaniard Darkrow adds a chunky rolling re-rub to the mix. Maroto's 'Old School' completes the package and does exactly what it promises on the tin, dishing up an intricate concoction of breakbeats, multilayered drums, warbled vocal samples and '90s-style rave sirens into a tasty slice of retro-flavoured tech.

"We are pleased to welcome Paco Maroto to the Blackflag family. He is another guy who is currently an important figure within Spain, but also in our circle of producers. Paco, a good friend of Sergio Fernandez sent me some tracks soon after I released Sergio's EP in 2012. The tracks he sent me have that unmistakable dancefloor punch we look for with our Blackflag releases and we've included some remixes from Rafa Barrios and Darkrow that are a nice alternative to the originals." -- Stacey Pullen

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