The duo of Layo Paskin and Matthew "Bushwacka" B. are also known as co-owner and resident DJ at the End (tech-house club founded by the Shamen's Mr. C). The club soon became one of the best in England, and there emerged a record label as well for related productions. Now Layo & Bushwacka! have launched their new mix CD for Global Underground – a two-disc album covering some of their all time favorite tracks and what's currently fitting their fancy from a live slice of Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Layo & Bushwacka!'s love affair with music started as teenagers at the dawn of acid house; it's led both of them through techno, breakbeat, electro, dub, electronica, and many other genres that may have been termed. L &B! have come a long way and have taken the emergent strains of techno, tech-house, electro and breakbeat and shaped the sounds onto blues, classical, and film soundtracks of recent eras, creating a very futuristic dancefloor sound. The fact that this disc was cut in Rio exemplifies the fact that the centers of clubbing are no longer restricted to the typical affluent ones.
CD2 is all about more recent, trendy, and bumpin' electronica. Highlights included "Bang" by Phonique; "Hay Consuelo" by Pier Bucci; "Belly Dancing" by Guy Gerber; "Aurora" by Stefan Goldman; "What's Your Name?" by Martin Buttrich; and "Walk Music" by Henrik Schwarz. Also included in the mix are a host of Layo & Bushwacka!'s own material, including "Tabloid" and "Saudade."
Their choices ultimately seemed refreshing without being too rigid, combining familiar elements in juxtaposing positions that could be enjoyed on a dance floor or late night at home. Honestly, this double album took me about 5 listens before I could even stand the classic house sounds. However, once the concept sunk in of the duo putting together their faves as well as the historic nature of many of the tracks, I could not get the tunes out of my head! This is definitely another classic in the making – and one not to be missed.
