In many ways, Equalized can only be discussed as two rubber stamped records, each carved with of a deep understanding of and flexibility with rhythm. The scope of sounds found on their four sides could point to a number of talented, Hardwax-affiliated producers, solo or in collaboration. While the A side of “Equalized #001” contained listeners with rubbery plucks and Detroit-influenced swells, the sky-scraping rhythms of the B side needled their air around them. “Equalized #002” manages to be more diverse and possibly even better.
The glow emanating from its A side is white hot yet lulls the ears, its worming synth lines reaching out from inside, wriggling around the scale. A fierce, galloping breakbeat bursts through the calm, carrying ethereal chords straight off a cliff, only to return once dancers land back on the floor. It’s a thrilling, euphoric ride unlike almost anything I’ve heard recently. The B side seems more familiar, if only because it shares a dry, friction-laden synth sound with the similarly anonymous “Wax #001.” Its quarter note pattern plunges into echo-laden caves and emerges just as acerbic on the other side of the tunnel. The sides seem so divergent from each other and “Equalized #001,” so fiercely independent and hungry for vigorous rhythms. Because I can only speak of Equalized as records, I must strongly encourage you to track down “#002.”
its Shed.
as is Wax…
This is a excellent record especially the B side with its dreamy melodies and breakbeat percussion. I had the pleasure of hearing it out at the weekend and it killed the dance floor. My guess would be that Shed is behind it.
You seem awfully sure of that, Andrew. I wrote the review a few weeks ago and arrived at the same conclusions recently. Still, I didn’t want to play the guessing game in the review itself (that’s what comments sections are for).
and the track up here has definately got some elements of the wax001 going on…
Damn, I actually meant to put the other track up. I’ll be switching that shortly, so get your licks in now.
This is indeed a great record.
This EP makes me run the gamut of emotions from happy to sad to stunned. Amazing.
I get where the possibility of EQD/WAX being Shed is coming from, but I am starting to think s/he* might be T++. Listen to the B side of 002. It’s very T++-esque to me.
*It could be a woman, you never know. Someone we have never heard of….
I think its burial. 😉
I just bought this from Honest Jon’s, and they sure seem to think it’s Shed based on their description… “Deadly Shed-ly.”
So if we presume Shed made “#002,” does that mean he made “#001” as well? Because the first Equalized reminded me more of the Ben Klock/Marcel Dettmann/Norman Nodge axis of producers, especially the tremendous b-side.
don’t really care who’s responsible. just want this one to arrive on my doorstep now. these tracks are so great and versatile.
Struggle = OTM!
Not sure if 001 was Shed but this one definitely is. It doesn’t sound anything like t++… Honest Jons is basically Hardwaxs sister store, by the way.
So if we presume Shed made “#002,†does that mean he made “#001″ as well?
I’d say so, also “001″ has more Shed like resemblences than “002” in my ears. 001 is also very similar to Wax 001 but not only this if you look at Sheds way of writing, for instance he uses numbers much more than words take his ssgs podcast & the tracklist he provided I havent seen anyone use a tracklist by just giving the number or catalogue code & the label name. Perhaps I’m looking too deep but, yeah I’d say Shed is behind both & I’m looking forward to 003.
Honest Jons is basically Hardwaxs sister store, by the way.
It is indeed — I usually order from them on things like this because the postage to the US from Hardwax is pretty stiff, and Honest Jons seems to have (slightly) better prices.
just ordered.
maybe someone could just call the hardwax tsore for infos on the composer?
… 😉
Maybe I have the A and B sides mixed up…heck, when I first heard it on RA.135, I thought it was drum’n’bass for a moment…
The A side is streaming right now…
My other guesses are Redshape, someone from Sandwell District, Burial, Shackleton, heck even Ricardo attempting to confuse us all!
heck even Ricardo attempting to confuse us all!
its not 45min. long, so it can’t be ricardo.
_its not 45min. long, so it can’t be ricardo._
Maybe that’s part of the confusion.
On another note… great review, Steve. I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve read a review in which the writer’s excitement for the track shines through so thoroughly. I was practically convinced before I even listened.
Harpo, your guesses are cute, but not necessary. seriously… it’s Shed.
@ Sarah
Thanks for the kind words! Means a lot, especially from someone who wrote this excellent piece.
Fine, I’ll add him to the list. S/he’ll be found out in a few months, what with all this internet business.
really great record this yep! more anonymous rekkids plzz
anyone who wants to hear a shed track in a similar vein to the breakbeat side on here, check out his 12″ under stp on subsolo (pertinently, t++ and peverelist remixes of this come out this week…)
i think andrew is shed
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