- Shed's jungle-inspired alias gets ruffer and tuffer.
- Hoover1 started out as something of a jungle project, but in typical René Pawlowitz fashion, the 12-inches have fanned out stylistically. (In a way mirroring the development of the genre into drum & bass in the mid-'90s.) Also in typical Pawlowitz fashion, the project has never been straight-up retro—as Ryan Keeling noted in his review of the first 12-inch, the man of the Most Recognizable Kick Drums in the biz "can't quite submit to jungle's wild nature." As the project has evolved, however, Shed has adapted its inspirations to better fit his style, culminating in the excellent fourth volume, which sounded like Hoover1 being remixed by EQD. Enter number five, which is one of the most creative and dextrous Pawlowitz releases in a while.
Ever a fan of surprising samples, Shed centers the A-side around a vocal that sounds like it's saying "bitches" over and over. A sooty break augments the broken kick pattern, before a spiraling synth figure crashes its way in—it's all a bit Origin Unknown, with a mean disposition borrowed from both darkside jungle and techstep. The flip is a little lighter on its feet. It's a UK hardcore approximation with soaring synths, a gospel-styled vocal and a fluttering rhythm that finally captures the abandon of jungle with the typical Shed drums. One of the best parts of being a Pawlowitz fan is hearing how all his compartmentalized projects eventually bleed together and cross-pollinate, and Hoover1-5 presents jungle and hardcore revivalism with a genuinely original twist—the Shed sound.
Tracklist01. Hoover1-5 A
02. Hoover1-5B