DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

Big Bud – Pure EP

1999

Our next EP in this Good Looking Records series, runs in conjunction, as a kind of sampler for Big Bud’s LP, ‘Late Night Blues’. Although this is dated as a 1999 release, it was catalogue numbered after the year, 2000 Intense EP. The four pieces of music on this EP contain brilliant tracks, three of which we have investigated and spilled a smattering of words too, while the other one track is exclusive to this EP. A remix of Big Bud’s first release on Good Looking, from 1998 (GLR026). 

     The artwork on this EP is classic, Nick Purser, with the foliage and exposure tricks, along with those water drops refracting and reflected the light within. The art translates the music to a tee, which is always the sign of a great creative eye (and ear I suppose), complementing the senses perfectly. Big shout as always and if you have any clips or stories to unveil on this one for us, drop it in or I can hunt a clip if you did your video story mate? It’s better when you talk about it! 

   My Limited Edition sticker on the front of the gatefold states this release as No: 2801 (or 2891 as it’s a bit faded, so if you have either one of those, let me know and then I can establish which one mine is!) The number has also dropped from 5000 to 3000, so wasn’t this ‘Extremely Limited..rare..once in a life time. Miss it at your peril”, situation. Ha ha ha! 

   Sides A and B on the first record were both featured on ‘Late Night Blues’ but only on the CD, so having these two on vinyl is a must. We also reviewed the ‘Pure Re-Mix’ from Big Bud’s first LP, ‘Infinity + Infinity’, from 1999, which confirms how this EP was a little bridge between his two monumental LP’s on GLR. For today, we have the original ‘Pure’ to relish, here on Side A. Cast away signals that echo like the dense depths of the submerged aquatics, seem to lurk and explore out into an abyss of intrigue. It’s music like this that raises the clarity of the beats and the nourishment of the bass with such exotic pads and flavors, which Big Bud was churning out so abundantly, that makes you wonder how many tunes he was making in 1999-2000. The echoes hit the underwater sandbanks and disturb the peaks with puffs of granule explosions, ejecting the spirits of the deep into the new paths of exploration. The movement within this track is phenomenal. Let the tales of the currents and swirls carry you on that journey. ‘Pure’ takes you wherever your thoughts need to. 

    Side B is ‘My Spirit’ which is on the CD of ‘Late Night Blues’. I’m so glad that this found its way onto vinyl, as it’s one of those addictive tunes that sinks a barbel hook in from the very first electronic tech loop. The acid squelch bass and light footed beats combine, and the sail has been hoisted, welcoming the bellowing winds that stretch the fabric of your mind. Big Bud, lays out a tune here that is just fucking sublime. The breakdown has the prism of light casting a ray that has the stained glass windows collapsing as the beam pelts you with radiance and seek every color of your mood. This track is one that may not hit the dancefloors with a vengeance, but it’s got every moment that grants you a visual landscape of the spectacular, covered with ease. One of the top drawer from Big Bud’s extensive catalogue of quality. 

  Tomorrow we move onto the second record on this ‘Pure EP’ and continue the mystical drift through some of the best of Big Bud.