CDVS

There are two ways of comparing English twosome Layo & Bushwacka with Dutch pair Pako & Frederik, and the fact that they're both rising-star electronic music producer/performer duos isn't one we'll explore here. Rather, both tag teams spin, craft and/or reinterpret deep, progressive works that aren't so much club anthems as they are cerebral, rhythmic compositions. Additionally, each pair is reminiscent of other, more renowned prog house producer/DJ duos, with Layo & Bushwacka evoking Washington, D.C.'s Deep Dish and Pako & Frederik calling to mind Britain's Sasha & Digweed.

In today's commercial environment, it's surprising that Layo & Bushwacka--architects of 2002's ubiquitous, Nina Simone-sampling "Love Story"--waited until after its second artist album to release a compilation album. However, the move was a smart one, as All Night Long has the feel of a set that's been honed by time, experience and experimentation. On All Night Long, L&B seem unburdened by genre, but they are influenced enough by music to smoothly blend the right tracks (original or remixed) together, be they jazz, breakbeat, electro or house. This is where the Deep Dish link comes in. During L&B's darker moments, you can envision DD's Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia behind the decks, the club rumbling with his style of throbbing, minimalist house. And when the tunes exhibit more playfulness and vocal resonance, partner Sharam Tayebi's instinctively pop programming skills seem the most obvious reference point.

As for Pako & Frederik, it's almost unfair to weigh their recent work against that of their London peers, for the former have gone the original music route, where, at least in electronic music, spontaneity and sonic diversity are tougher objectives. That said, Atlantic Breakers--not only the duo's debut, but the artist-album premiere by revered house brand Global Underground--dabbles in an impressive tonal and stylistic palette. Like most English progressive musicians and jocks of late, P&F incorporate a fair amount of breaks--more so here than the standard 4/4 house rhythms--but they're subtle and finessed. More noticeable are the glowing keyboard notes; the ambient sheen tends to overshadow the beats--much like the songs Sasha tends to write or spin. And when selections veer more to the sinister, almost tribal side of progressive breakbeat, it feels more like the approach of John Digweed.

Head to head, Layo & Bushwacka's mix is more appropriate for grooving along, while Pako & Frederik's finely crafted instrumentals are geared for the day's more reflective segments. If you switched roles, though, L&B proves to be more versatile.--Mike Prevatt