DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Big Bud – Emotionography / Alzir

1998

Robin O’Reilly is the one and only Big Bud. We reviewed three of his works during the posts on Creative Source (which one day I’ll transfer onto a blog of some sorts..patience…). It was only a matter of time, therefore along with Bukem’s matter of opinion…see what I did there?, that Big Bud would be scooped up by the GLR label.      

    Robin’s output on the label has been one of the most extensive by any artist, with work across Earth, Cookin’ GLR & LGR, along with the two albums ‘Infinity + Infinity’ & ‘Late Night Blues’. He also had his one off project on Blue Vinyl which was that 7” we covered way back, called ‘Runaway’. Whatever was going on with him between 1995 and 2000, the work and high standards just poured out, providing a torrent of music which never faltered and stands as some of the most beautiful and inspiring music ever produced. 

   On Side A, we have the special something that awakens a gaggle of hidden feelings which rise up and erupt through this piece of pure brilliance from Big Bud. ‘Emotionography’ clutches the pulsing strands that connect the distant galaxies and stars through a seasoned break, along with that infamous Big Bud bass that always carried its own tune, and your simmering conscious state. 

If you crank this one up (which I presume comes naturally anyway), you can hear this distant scream in the track saying, I think? “Yes..fuck you”? There’s also the spoken sample in here which I’m not entirely sure of, origin wise. Any takers? 

   You can also catch a remix of this track on Big Bud’s ‘Pure EP’ (GLREP006V). It’s a slightly extended version. I love this original though, as the main characteristics define how the essential components sit scaled along the wall of majestic reason. This tune was a big gateway for Big Bud, onto a label that not only flourished with his work, but provided us with a deluge of wonderful pieces of music. The studio he was in was about to become a hotspot of creativity. Saying that, he’d already delivered so many golden tunes. 

    For our track on Side AA we have ‘Alzir’. Now I can’t vouch for the title as to whether it’s based on the Algerian use of the name or (knowing Robin), it being ‘Rizla’ spelled backward. I’m sure Robin, you can confirm more on this one though (as you did with Blueberry Muffins, ha ha ha). When I bought this plate, I found that both sides measured up in quality. This side has that waft of the desert sands spinning off the dunes and launching into the chaotic whirlwinds of the sky. The beats hit clearly, the bass does the usual Big Bud riff which carries everything so perfectly, and then we get the real wizardry with its breakdown and key change. There’s a flowing energy and thoughtful tenderness within this tune. If that’s not enough we get that piano chord striking in. What a fucking incredible jam going on with this tune. It goes from an atmospheric joy into this lively freestyle development. Classy music from the maestro. 

This 12” is a real gem. A gleaming jewel of the label and a very poignant and pivotal release for Big Bud. The door would remain open for many more to follow. 

   We will have plenty more incredible pieces of music from Big Bud on Good Looking Records, so for now we’ll soak up the divine sounds on the is 12” and then place the ‘Do Not Disturb’  sign back on his door until the next one. Big respects as always to one of the strongest pillars within Good Looking and the romantic, flavorful sounds of one if the best to deliver those jazz tinged atmospheric works. 

   I also want to acknowledge Miles Showell on the mastering for this release, at Metropolis. His background and experience shines through with his rich history of work.