DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

MC Conrad – Logical Progression Level 4 (Remixes)

2001

For our last tune of this week, we begin the final Logical Progression LP, with six exquisite remixes of tunes from MC Conrad’s music, found originally on the format of CD 1 of the Logical Progression – Level 4 LP we have just reviewed. You only need look at the remixers on this LP to wave any hesitation in snapping it up. I mean, holy fucking god. Big Bud, PHD, Blame, Nu Noon…do I need to continue? You asked for it.. Nookie and also Makoto. Six big league artists that had established their unquestionable talents on Good Looking Records. Needless to say, like a starving wasp trapped in a jam jar, we will be overdosing on the good stuff. 

    It mentions this as a Limited Edition. But I don’t know how many were pressed up. It wasn’t really doing exactly what it says on the tin, most of the time back in those days. My one shows No. 001722, so now like me, you can sleep easy knowing that. Nevertheless, those digits imply a large quantity of releases but I’m sure there’s a psychology to it that I’m missing, even being a Psych major. 

    Photography on this LP remains the same prints used for the last Level 4 LP, by Nick Purser, taken at the offices of Good Looking at the time. I had thought, how cool it would have been to have had similar personal pictures taken for the GLR EP’s that were released. The photos of Conrad hold such a dear place with so many of us, of a time and a place and now the fondest memories of such a vibrant and free flowing era. 

    Track A on this Plate 1, is ‘Dawn Of Harmony (Remix By Big Bud)’ slicing its way through the machines of the workhorse of one of the most prolific producers we have the honor of hearing. Robin keeps that smooth glide of the original and garnishes the inner core with those lavish and luscious Big Bud auras. The double bass layering of live electric  guitar and electronic sub bass, stacked in a holding pattern while the beautiful guitar work cools the soul, let the deep chords and pads carry you over the horizon with the biggest smile on your face. That constant synth that stabilizes your equilibrium, sends a viscous maneuver out, rotating your mind in all sorts of directions, searching for the relics and forgotten dreams of a future bound voyage of discovery. A fucking seriously impressive remix, and justifiably our intro to this LP. A big shout to Robin as always.

    Track B is ‘Nadiresonance (Remix By PHD)’ taking its place at the center of the shuttle’s controls and reeling off one of those powerhouse atmospheric gems to eject you out into the orbits of our thought control. Patrick Henry works up something that totally blows my mind right here. He puts this supremely edited percussion beat out, along with the sounds of the stars, a million voices harking the secret codes of a musical manifesto, fit for the gods. There’s a liveliness, a pulse, bouncing throughout this track, dancing between the strands of a deeper level of momentary unconscious flashes within a world that only the genial talents of someone like PHD can reach. If you do one thing today, promise me you’ll revisit this absolute diamond of atmospheric wonder. It really does not get much better than this. Utterly transfixed, is the feeling you’ll be guaranteed on hearing it. 

   Patrick was a huge part in Conrad’s path with his music, having worked together on ‘Reminiscent Rhythms’ and ‘Presence’ on the first Ascendant Grooves release in 1997 (AG 001) and then again on Looking Good Records also in 1997, with ‘Progression Session’ & ‘3 By 4’ (LGR 011). The bond between them was a most valued one. 

    Have a great weekend and make sure that you get some quality time to do the things you Love (such as listening to music perhaps?) and that you are able to join me again for more dives into the history of our wonderful music. My blog has several articles about Good Looking Records releases so if you want to have a break, and a Kit-Kat, while taking in some words and pictures of the golden oldies, you can find them here. I hope you enjoy them.

Bless up!