Equinox “Acid Rain V.I.P.” 2×12″ (Planet Mu) [ZIQ134]

“Acid Rain” is the sort of tune around which DJs must – and should – plan an entire set. Equinox’s 1996 lo-fi original laid out a sourcebook of hyperactive and mind-bending drum wizardry in the traditions of Bizzy B and Remarc (who are now, perhaps not coincidentally, his labelmates on Planet Mu.) In his second version, the “Final Chapter Mix,” Breakage further unravels the phrases and rhythms, hurtling them together again in cascading fractals. Draw at your own risk. “Breakestra Ting,” employing an obscure break sampled from the hip-hop/funk band, is also tough and stuttered but less distorted, thickened instead with ominous chimes, creaks and whispers. Combining these two techniques is “Do You Understand Me?,” a sleeper tune that ping-pongs fiercely between Apache and Amen, hailing the “old school ways.” By the D-side, “Forgiving,” we see Equinox has started as he means to go on, rolling out more manic choppage, sub weight and creepy film samples. Pick this one up if you can lift it! DJ M

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