DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Blu Mar Ten – Slipstream / Future Proof

1997

As the calendar turns into 1997 we move onto the next Good Looking release and the first release on the label for an artist who we reviewed on their own label, around three years ago in the reviews and also on 720° & Ascendent Grooves. They are the mighty, Blu Mar Ten. A big shout as always to Chris Marigold & Leo Wyndham! This releases their second official release, following their amazing Way Out Records release ‘The Fountain’ in 1996.

    Before we launch into the magic, It’s crazy first of all to think how long these words have been falling onto the pages. I always knew this project would be like a long therapy session and at times, wondered if I could keep going. Now I’m this far into it, I realize I have no reason to slow down, nor want to. Not only has it been a passion creating this and now the blog (see link on end of this post), but having the connections with everyone who reads and comments means a lot. You are all a huge incentive to do this, so thank you to everyone who takes time to read, leave comments and study the photos. 

   The other crazy aspect is how this label between 1992 and 1997, gave us not only music that will cement in history, but the way the music was developing. If you were to dive into any years after 1992 and take a five year snapshot, where else would you find the speed of evolving and change like 92-97? Where have we come, from 2020 for example? I always wonder if there is a jolt in the navigation looming with jungle and drum and bass. Technology has made things easy but also created a crux in how things are created. Who knows, the standard of music is still out there as many of us that dive in deep and seek the good stuff can still extract incredible music. 

   Having shampoo’d and rinsed that out my hair, let’s move into the high end world of Blu Mar Ten. Todays release is a real gem of a 12”, catapulting just how musically gifted their work is. The atmospherics were becoming a palette of grandiose pads that rolled out landscapes on which musicians were peppering their personal colours onto. This plate was such a huge impact for me, that of nearly all the yellow spine releases, it remains in the record box on pretty much every occasion. 

   ‘Slipstream’ sweeps the loose granules off the ramp that leads onto the rolling sand banks,  unlocking the beach of lucid dreams with a tender expression. Blu Mar Ten worked such a vast array of sounds behind their drum and bass that you almost forget that these key two components are even in here at times. Such is the glucose enriched purity of the sound. This track is really one of the most laid back on the label, since Remnants on GLR 002. The way it can make the most crazed, caffeine filled nutcase become transfixed, statuesque and calm is one that Blu Mar Ten could always produce. That might not surprise you as the follow up to ‘The Fountain’ which also had that deep, spiritual hypnotic thread of bliss. This track ‘Slipstream’ is one that you’ll awaken to after listening and realize that the clocks, money and energy you thought you needed, can wait for another listen to this diamond encrusted piece of music.

   And the balance that comes from Side A is now equated with something that shuttles you away from the tranquil and into a slice of Blu Mar Ten’s top gear of dance floor movement. ‘Future Proof’ has that warm tempting intro before the killer, sub-bass pads and synths create this black hole scarred portal into the depths of the mind. The amen build up just lets the lights glow in intensity, until the main break just smacks you hard. This tune explodes and carries with it every steel girder, concrete block and cast iron furnace, disintegrating every molecule and melting it to an organic plasma of intense, rich musical prowess. The jazz notes from the saxophone season the tune, rounding off the edges and sanding the borders, making it a masterpiece of tearing atmospheric gold. Once we’d heard this from BMT, it was only a matter of time before the spectrum of their abilities were truly in full flow. Listening to this one again has brought back a shit load of memories as it was in a lot of my mixes back then. Many people were surprised when they saw it was a Good Looking tune, as they nearly always expected something more like the A Side. With the live jazz sounds opening one door, the slamming amen bordered rinse outs were prizing open another. The moods could now shift within its own circle and the journeys now available were forever expanding. What a time to soak it all up, and now squeeze it out for today’s listeners. A real treat of music. 

   The last time I heard from Chris from BMTM they were moving to a new studio. I’m sure things must be close, if not ready, to start pushing the music out again. I saw ‘Wardance III’ had been released recently so that’s a good sign. Big respects to Chris, Leo and Mike.