DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

MC Conrad – Logical Progression Level 4 (Remixes)

2001

Today, we reach our final plate on not just the last record in this Logical Progression Level 4 LP, but also the last two tracks in the whole series. It’s onto the next project tomorrow. Let’s live for today though and wallow in the memories, the music and the future sounds of a time that still holds a very proud and immortal foundation of the music of today. We had come a long way, in a short time, from those early breakbeat beginnings into the organically created worlds and imaginations of the soundtrack for the rest of our lives. 

    We have two artists featured here, that continue with as much vigor and status in today’s scene, as they did back during this era, 24 years ago. Makoto had energized the music world in a big way, not just by ingraining his style in the drum and bass world, but by opening up doors to the world and spearheading the global acceptance and love for the sound, across to the East. Good Looking knew the way forward came from taking the sound out to other countries other than the UK. With Makoto on board, the plan built momentum. His connection with Conrad needs no introduction either. A friendship and bond formed, which lasted right up until MC Conrad’s untimely death in 2024. 

   We begin today’s review with Makoto on remix duties. 

   Side E on Plate 3, is ‘Futures Call (Remix By Makoto)’ which holds such a perfect balance of Conrad’s vocals and Makoto’s way of composing. You infuse a jolt of high octane drum and bass here, taking that funk pepped jazz ride out for the ride of your life. You don’t only get that vivid image in your mind, of Makoto’s musical performances, you also have the clearest image in your mind of Conrad doing that body dip, the mic held right up to the mouth piece and his sweat dripping all over the place. It’s the sort of tune that brings to life every aspect of both of these legends, jamming the fuck out, the vivid moves and film that plays in my head is fucking strong picturing MC Conrad doing what he loved and bringing something that will never leave me. In my personal matter of opinion, he really was the best to ever connect the music with words. Truly one of a kind. 

   On Side F we have ‘Energetic Poetry (Remix By Nookie)’. If there’s one producer who had the music made for a Conrad fountain of words, it was Nookie. The nourishment and groove that bleeds its way around the senses, splashes a decadent spray of finely cut sounds in this track. This era of Nookie’s work held a candle that burned with a vast expanse of experience and some killer funk. He tended to either reach into the mighty pads for a mind drift, or take things for a jive on the stage. The range was 150 things in between. Gav was definitely one of the essential components to the Good Looking history. Nothing but the upmost respect as always! 

   That’s the Logical Progression series complete. Tomorrow we move onto the next Good Looking project. There are a couple more LPs to review, a few special 12” singles and then we’ll also hit a scan over Points In Time, The Producer series and whatever else we have left on the shelf. Next up..the EP’s 

I can’t wait to get going with them! 

   My blog is building the Good Looking stable of music in one place, minus the very few I don’t own, so I hope you get the urge to read back through some of them or you are working your way through them, and enjoy them. It’s a pure joy and honor to put them together!