Artist: Muz & Mann
Title: Backseat Bandit / Panik
Label: Trojan Records
By: Nick Williams | 25 February 2007
Tracklist:

• A: Backseat Bandit
• B: Panik

Muz & Mann "Backseat Bandit / Panik"

Muz & Mann, better known as Vance Musgrove and Mikah Freeman, give us a taste of how the Australians do it with their latest release on Trojan Records. These two tracks have already filled the sets of many DJs, Australia and beyond, marking another milestone in an already impressive resume from these two. Vance already has releases on Dorigen, EQ [Grey], Vapour, Orc, Lobotomy, and now Trojan Records. If that isn't enough, Mikah also has an impressive start with his remixes as Tangleray on Arabica, Spinifex, and Kindred Sounds. It looks like they have cornered the market on underground dance music labels from Australia, and this is an excellent example of their talents.

'Backseat Bandit' starts off quite angry with a sharp snare and pounding kick. This definitely is a peak time track, led throughout by a thick, round, and bendy bassline. While aimed towards the main room, it still possesses some depth to bring some interest from those chinstrokers in the room. As we progress, every aspect of the song changes in some way or another, giving the song a very liquid nature with a fat sound. A gallop is brought with a fairly trance-like feel, yet some small funky elements break it up and prevents the song from becoming too cheesy. The breakdown brings some fun noise delays, dumping us back into the groove with some cooler chords to peak the energy. This is a solid dance club track that rides the borders of electro, tech, and progressive.

Similar angry, upfront beats give the foundation to 'Panik'. The frequencies are separated very well here, giving way for loads of edits and manipulation of the sounds, leading to some excellent peak time electro-house. The bassline reminds me of the previous song, but this version is a bit more cutup and squirmy. We build up to the introduction of some cooler dub inspired chords that gradually build in intensity. The most interesting aspect of this track is this dichotomy of hot beats and cool chords, not only taking you by a bit of surprise, but also to allow you to go in any direction afterwards. This is definitely my pick of the two tracks on this release.

All in all another solid release for Luke Chable's Trojan Records, as 'Panik' appears on the recently released EQ Recordings mixed CD, 'Electric_02', mixed by King Unique and NuBreed. If you enjoy these, check out Vance and Mikah with another studio mate Ross McGrath as The Aston Shuffle. They have their own label together under the same name, and have already had a few releases under their belt collectively.