Layo
and Bushwacka!
"Night Works" CD
XL
Recordings
Genres: electronica, electro-jazz, acid house
Sep 16 - 22 2002 |
Layo
and Bushwacka! a.k.a. Layo Paskin and Matthew "Bushwacka"
B. have recently had their hands full working on Night Works,
the follow-up to 1999's Low Life, and fans will be joyed to
discover that they've done good.
Released on Beggars Group member XL Recordings, Night Works
is a carefully-assembled album that acts as a continuous mix,
completely devoid of gaps in between the tracks. This unaffected flow
works amazingly, taking you through a whole number of club-friendly
cuts with precision and skill, only ever slowing down for the few
minute-long interludes.
The songs themselves will appeal to pretty much any electronica fan
looking for something to move around to. "Shining Through,"
for example, is an airy, Orbital-esque track that lays an
ethereal soundscape over a deceptively foot-moving beat. "Sleepy
Language," meanwhile, is a much more funky track that is sure to
get people moving on the dancefloor. However, the duo's most
successful track is "Love Story", a jazz-infected cut that
brings to mind comparisions to St. Germain, Plaid, and The
Cinematic Orchestra. With a laidback jazz beat, a warm piano chord
progression, and a fantastic vocal sample, it's got all the makings of
the next electro-jazz single.
Altogether, Layo and Bushwacka! have created a fine
sophomore album that both fans and new listeners will be able to sink
their teeth into. Incorporating elements of acid jazz, acid funk, and
breakbeat, the duo have proven themselves to be master DJs. This stuff
is sure to be all over the clubs this season.
86%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
48 min 13 sec; 14 tracks; distributed by the
label;
released July 2002] |