DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Apollo’s Two – Volume 1

1993

Release number three on Good Looking, brings together Bukem and one of his old school mates (Witty Jnr.) into play, for one of those 12”s that spreads an even coat of purity paste across the surface of music. It’s no shock to have a plate like this with one side focusing on main stream drum and bass and a more techno based track on the flip, when you have LTJ Bukem expelling his background and vision out through his label. Having already pushed the door open on his personal trajectory he continues to develop his own path with this ageless release. It’s Friday and time to crank this one up beyond the levels of comfort and into the cosmos.

‘Return To Atlantis’ takes one of those techno laced routes as it brings to Side A, a composition that deserves a standing ovation. This track may not have had the impact or lure that the anthem on the other side has, but it has grown into a classic in its own right over the years. While the “OK, take it slow and easy going in” sample from The Abyss, prepares you for the rhythmic fruits and gentle but engaging synths, the perfect pace and character is something that you have to take your hat off and respect toward Bukem. It’s a 45RPM tune this, as opposed to the 33RPM we’ve had on the last two GLR’s. Theatrical tribal techno that fills every pore with golden music. How fucking bold was it putting this out!! The future is now.

Side B really is one of the most prolific tracks on GLR…among the other 20 or so…you know what I mean. Bukem’s remix of ‘Atlantis’ (I Need You)’ is one of those tunes that opens up any set with something you’ll be hard pushed to better. The tune breaths a life of its own when you kick it off on its own. Rolling atmospheric perfection with a metronomic bass, great bongos, luscious pads and that ever graceful guitar twanging breakdown. “Gotta..gotta..gotta have.. mmmMMM” then that little hiss which sounds like a Fabio “S” of respect, or inhaling auras of musical vibrations. When this drops, the place will never stand still, will never become baron and will always contain people that get taken somewhere they never knew about. This has a hall of fame stamped through it for eternity. A legendary track on a legendary label.

That’s this review complete from me. The fireworks of Good Looking are now well under way, so we move into the next five on the label, situated on this blog. I better rest my fingers as I feel I’ll be typing up a vast number of words over the next few weeks. As long as this music plays, the emotional writing flow remains.

Now, go dig out those GLR’s and celebrate THE best in the business.

Cheers folks.