DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Big Bud – State Of Mind / Transmission

1999

While we work through the Good Looking Records label, there will be names that come and go and then names that bob up to the surface more often. Last week we arrived at Big Bud’s entrance into Good Looking Records and as if to say “the tank is still very full”, Robin returns with two more breath taking pieces of music. We were mearly scratching the surface to be honest, as there are so many more quality tracks coming up from him. Let’s rejoin the phenomenal world of Big Bud.

    Side A is ‘State Of Mind’ and if you could transform any state of mind, this tune will activate that motion. It’s a great tune to mix and is superbly produced as always, by Robin. In terms of the quality of this tune. For me, it’s on par with Intense’s work and even has that air of their huge resonating basslines, crystal clear beats and harmonious pads. Robin delivers a tune here that sends all the feels, pinching those thermals and rising higher than ever. When we level out at the breakdown, those vocals and synths stretch the imagination a little bit further still. I also love the way the stuttered, edited amen sits on top of those magical main beats. Take that second long sip of some of the highest quality atmospheric drum and bass from the challis of this great music. A true gem in the GLR vault. 

   On the other side we have ‘Transmission’, position its aerial toward the gaping night sky, the dial turning slowly, yearning to pick up the distant signals, erratically staggered within the concept of distance between light and sound. You can absorb the true sound of Big Bud within this tune, with its steady break, lined with those high hat taps, and the bass from the tool belt of catchy riffs. As the tide of the breakdown crawls up the sand, the chords and that angelic guitar string wake the inner emotions and spread out before you’re even aware. This one is a fucking incredible tune that has such a submerging, underlying coherence that you’ll take a few, to return to the land of the living after hearing it. Seductive, hypnotic and unbelievably produced by Big Bud. He really was at a cruising altitude that had the ultimate combination of ideas within this period of the music. 

   It is yet again, the work of Nick Purser on the cover design. What’s the story with this one? Who’s the person in image you used? Always good to hear your developments putting things together. 

    We have more Big Bud, in the not too distant future. Maximum respect Robin!