I guess Layo and Bushwacka!’s sound could loosely be described as a combination of breaks and tech house, but labelling is always such a contentious issue. Released late last year, ‘Low Life’ is the work of British producers Layo Paskin and Matthew Bushwacka! B., long time pals of ‘tech house pioneer’ Mr C (ex Shamen).

Released on Mr C’s End Recordings, the album is chock full of edgy nu school sounds, as well as the more percussive electronic elements of techno and tech house. Much like the DJing style of long time fan Adam Freeland, the duo combine the best elements of house, drum and bass, breakbeat and techno.

The pair have created a somewhat paradoxical piece of work. Simple breaks artistically combined with Balearic bass, floaty keyboards and layered beats. Elements which should be disparate, are somehow combined to exploit what are quite obvious influences. They’ve cleverly identified what makes great dance music, and used it very much to their advantage.

The album’s big tracks kick in quite early in the piece. Bombastic atmospheric funky sounds in ‘Spooked’ and ‘Dead Man Walking’ moving into classy breakbeat assaults such as ‘Bad Old Good Old Days’ and ‘Perfect Storm’. A clear standout is ‘Deep South’, nine minutes of smooth deep house, layered with a Deep South Gospel sample which should show Moby how it’s really done.

‘Low Life’ is a nice piece of work indeed, comparable in quality to classics such as Leftfield’s Leftism. The duo have created an anomaly – an intelligent piece, yet something you can, well, dance to.

Buy:Low Life from Chaosmusic