DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Big Bud – Mr Nice EP

1998

Today, we reach the third EP in this breathtaking tapestry of the Good Looking Records EP series. If there has been one artist that we have written the most words about so far on this lab, it’s this guy. Robin O’Reilly. Big Bud. 

   The artwork continued to be contracted out to Propeller Design at this stage, and I do really like the way that they packaged these records. Saying that, this is the final Propeller Design of the series, as Nick Purser reclaims his rightful place back on the bridge, with GLREP004V (with a little collab on the design).

   This release is again, stating the Limited Edition Release of 5000, and this one is No: 0364. 

   The title of this EP was pretty much the blend of not just Big Bud’s reference to the green leaves of a cannabis nature, like that was a big surprise, but it also references the 1996 book by Howard Marks, titled ‘Mr Nice’ where the humourous exploits of a guy who had connections with all sorts of big organizations, legal and illegal, did some of the most crazy drug deals imaginable. I think a film came out eventually, but the book is a great read. 

   The track that pours paraffin on the fire is ‘Soulfood’, which was featured on Big Bud’s ‘Late Night Blues’ LP. This is prime cut Big Bud, served as the ultimate farm to market flavor of discerning distinction. The swerving, smooth slalom of sounds bubble beautifully. Huge bass, crystal beats and that piano.  As the crowd applaud, we get, Composed somewhere in Texas on the bottom of a garbage can”… ha ha, well I’ve just looked on mine and it’s just loose bits of old tarmac and ants. Robin was keeping the most lubricated machinery of his work, turning in ways that had no barriers. “Get some soul…in my soul”. Hearing this again, and not sending you back via a link, to the ‘Soulfood’ write up of mine on his ‘Late Night Blues’ LP, shows how impressive and destined this tune was for more words on it. The most perfect slice of Big Bud cut from his tiered gateaux of gourmet, musical gastronomy. 

   Side B has the track ‘Pistachio’ running a trench of lifelines through the furrows of ploughed and fertilized land. The beats sound as prominent as ever, those simple Rhodes chimes, a monstrously ear hugging bass and Big Bud yet again releases the greased chocks away from another beautifully crafted piece of music. It’s the deeper, more blues lensed jazz interpretation we have here, dancing between the darkness and the devil at times, but leaving nothing but a somber and spirit stirring digestion of emotion. I’d love to know why this track is called ‘Pistachio’? Maybe a bowl of them on the table next to the Blueberry Muffin? Ha ha! Let us know, Robin.

   This is a terrific tune and one that really rolls out of the late night and pre dawn fog and into the early fire lit streaks on the Eastern horizon. 

   What a great plate to get this EP underway. The second plate is up tomorrow. There’s a lot of Big Bud reviews on this blog if you want to dive back into some of Robins incredible music. I hope you get to enjoy the words and photos on here. For all those already checking them out, it means a lot. All for the good of the community and love of this music.