Few producers have shaped the modern hardgroove sound as persistently as Aitor Ronda. The Barcelona artist has been playing vinyl since 1996 and releasing records since 2001, building a catalogue that has landed on Terminal M, Filth on Acid, Octopus and Tronic while earning long-standing support from Carl Cox. His 2018 cut ‘Tweezer’ topped the world techno charts and helped push the swinging, percussive strain of the genre he champions back into the spotlight. Now he returns to his own imprint with a release that leans harder than ever into the fun side of the floor.
‘I Am The Prize’ is a three-track EP that captures Ronda’s unmistakable vision of groove-driven techno. Blending funk, disco and old-school house influences with his trademark power and energy, the record moves from infectious 70s and 80s inspired grooves to uplifting piano melodies and irresistible disco-funk vibes. Fresh, energetic and full of personality, all three tracks share the same purpose: pure groove, made for the dancefloor.
Our premiere, ‘My Loved Ones’, shows exactly what that looks like in practice. It is a warm, rolling piece of groove techno that puts its percussion front and centre, with a bassline that keeps the pressure on and just enough disco-leaning colour to keep the whole thing bright. Ronda has always understood that a peak-time record does not have to be a punishing one, and this is a fine example: heads-down enough for the thick of a set, but with a swing that keeps a room moving rather than bracing.
WHACK has been Ronda’s home base since 2020, an imprint built around hypnotic rhythms and infectious grooves, or as the label puts it, where the groove takes control. Forty-five catalogue numbers deep, it has become one of the most reliable sources for clubbing techno with genuine funk in its step, and ‘I Am The Prize’ is a fine reminder of why.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘My Loved Ones’ exclusively on When We Dip Radio. Enjoy!
Release Date: September 18th, 2026. Buy Here
Aitor Ronda: Instagram / SoundCloud
WHACK: Instagram / SoundCloud