The American Wesley “Diplo” Pentz and the Brit Dave “Switch” Taylor have – each on their own – been involved in the making of the most creative and innovative club music from this dwindling decade. They have both cooperated closely with M.I.A. and Santigold as songwriters and producers, and through their DJ-ing they have contributed to familiarizing the Western audience with Brazilian funk carioca, Angolan kuduro and Argentinian neo-cumbia. Together, these two musical soul mates turn into the war hero Major Lazer, a fictional Jamaican commando soldier with a wicked lazer gun instead of a right arm. In between battles against vampires, zombies, mummies and similar creatures, the awesome super hero likes to party and do a little dancing, preferably with the debut album Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do pumping through the speakers. This eclectic and highly danceable project was recorded in Jamaica, with both local talents and international names behind the mike. Worth mentioning are Turbulence, Jahdan Blakkamore, Vybz Kartel, T.O.K., Mr. Vegas, Mr. Lexx, Ms. Thing and Busy Signal, as well as more familiar names like Mapei, Santigold, Amanda Blank and Nina Sky. There are elements from several decades, continents and genres, but it’s worth noting that digital reggae and dancehall are the main focus points of the album, which therefore has turned it into a varied and uncompromising mixture with an extreme commercial appeal. Just who Major Lazer, Diplo and Switch will be bringing along to Øya in 2010 isn’t an easy guess, as they have many to choose from, but the gig will definitely be wicked and groovy. As the major himself would have put it: Pon de Floor!

www.myspace.com/majorlazer