Layo & Bushwacka! are one of electronic music’s most esteemed duos. Comprising of Matthew ‘Bushwacka’ B – a percussionist in the London School Symphony Orchestra who was converted into a member of the infamous Rat Pack after a warehouse party in ’88. And Layo Paskin – a North Londoner immersed in the acid house scene who met Mr C at one of the legendary Clink Street parties in 1988, before setting up their world renowned night club together, The End, based in London. It was via their mutual friend Mr C that Layo & Bushwacka! first met, whilst Matthew was working at Mr C’s studio, and by the mid 90s the two had started writing music together. Over a decade later, the partnership has yielded three artist albums, three mix albums, internationally renowned club residencies and a superb record label.

By 1999 they’d already composed their debut album, ‘Low Life’, released on End Recordings, the label spawned by The End. The album announced the arrival of the duo as a force in electronic music; with a record that brought together electro, house and breakbeat, fused with blues, dub and downtempo, all underpinned and informed by their collective experience of underground culture. This inclusive and open minded approach to sound became the blueprint for their future work.

Their second album followed in 2002, this time released on the mighty XL Recordings. Entitled ‘Night Works’, the r

cord featured their unforgettable top ten hit ‘Love Story’, and took their sound onto a bigger and broader canvas, selling 100,000 copies in the process. The accompanying live show brought further acclaim with sellout shows from Glastonbury to Sonar, whilst their famous DJ sets had now garnered residencies at some of the world’s finest clubs, including of course The End.

Their End residency, known as All Night Long, became one of London’s most revered nights with Layo & Bushwacka! taking the club through an edifying tour-de-force of electronic music. The night gave birth to their second mix album ‘All Night Long’, which followed the success level of their first ‘The End’, mixed in conjunction with Mr C and released on XL Recordings in the late 90s. ‘All Night Long’ became a perfect reflection of a Layo & Bushwacka! DJ set; inspirational, educational and all encompassing, it slaloms through all manner of house music and includes their own reworks of such timeless classics as Bebel Gilberto’s ‘So Nice’ and Sly & The Family Stone’s ‘Dance To The Music’, all without missing a beat.

The expansive musical tastes demonstrated on ‘All Night Long’ came together perfectly with the release of their third artist album ‘Feels Closer’ in February 2006. Released on their newly launched label, Olmeto Records, ‘Feels Closer’ saw them broaden their sonic palette with the addition of live musicians – including legendary percussionist Mino Cineleu – on a record that unites their myriad of influences without ever losing sight of their electronic background and home territory. Highlights of the record include Green Velvet’s vocal turn on the electrifying electro-techno of ‘Life 2 Live’, the warm downtempo of ‘Sunshine in Ipanema’, featuring the talents of Brazilian legend Rogerio Flausino, and the jaw-droppingly incredible ‘Isn’t This A Lovely Day’, for which the boys fuse vocals from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with some killer live percussion. The album was again highly critically acclaimed, further cementing their reputation.

2007 saw Layo and Bushwacka! release ‘Global Underground 33: Rio’. Born out of the ongoing love story between the duo and their second home of Brazil. Layo and Matthew have a unique and unshakeable relationship with the world’s most effervescent nation. Disc one saw them scour their record collections, revisiting gems from the past twenty years; flowing through the music that helped shape the DJs they’ve become. Whilst disc two represents the new wave of electronic music with a track listing that includes the most dynamic producers in dance music today.

Since its 2005 beginnings, Olmeto has continued to provide an exclusive outlet for Layo and Matthew’s creativity. All tracks are by only themselves, with key artists invited to give their interpretations to the duo’s work – from Green Velvet and Loco Dice, to Unkle and Nic Fanciulli. Forthcoming Olmeto releases include the edgy soundscapes of Layo and Bushwacka’s ‘The Longest Day’, with remixes from Mirko Loko and Audiofly. Whilst outside of Olmeto, the duo have recently remixed ‘Dimension Intrusion’ by Fuse (Richie Hawtin) on Plus8, as well as Guy Gerber and Ralph Lawson. In 2010, the duo

Following the closure of The End in January 2009, Layo & Bushwacka! launched ‘Shake It’, a new bi-monthly warehouse party in London. After so many years in one home in London, they felt the freedom to move around would be the perfect antidote – and so it has proved. It not only allows total freedom but is in keeping with the changing times and nightlife landscape.

In December 2009, Layo & Bushwacka! launched a Brazil only compilation entitled ‘Shake It Brazil’, which also saw them undertake a 10-date tour of Brazil. The compilation features much of their own new work as well as releases on labels including Cadenza and Cocoon.

Layo & Bushwacka!’s reputation as two of the world’s foremost DJ duos is rock solid. Three artist albums have proven them remarkably talented producers – capable of mixing styles, tempos and genres to create enduring and engaging electronic music. Their trio of mix albums and international club residencies have shown they are masters of the turntables; sonic connoisseurs who can guide a dancefloor on an epic journey through the many facets of their sound. Their label Olmeto, meanwhile, has become a bastion for quality, a label that, much like its figureheads, has become a stamped seal of class.