DJ Alex Corton – Vinyl Reviews

Good Looking Records

LTJ Bukem – Suspended Space EP

2000

    As we turn the page once more, leaving dates in the history of our music, we continuing to defy time. The music that raises us up when we’re down, wraps its arm around us and lets us loose when we need to. Time is a constant on our planet, but music bends it. Our memories at times, transport back to what seems like a few years ago when we pick up that record, but then it shows, stamped on its label, that it was from thirty years ago. I suppose you could relate this to anything though. “Time flys when you’re having fun”. A sanctuary of pure passion and continual satisfaction. As we move closer to 2026, leaving the 30 year ago (‘95 Jungle onslaught) anniversary, we are about to move to the 30 year anniversary of 1996. I can already hear the 2nd LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad Essential Mix from Radio 1, beginning to surface for another landmark from 3 decades ago.

    It’s on that note that we move into the second record on Bukem’s ‘Suspended Space’ EP. I hope your weekend was a good one, and some of musical notes danced your way?! Before we dive into the tracks, let’s look at some more of the artwork, from Nick Purser on this plate. 

  The image on the record label of ‘Viewpoint’ looks like it’s taken from a photo from one of the Good Looking documentaries? I know there’s a clip in that film of the boys messing around in the water and acting like loons. This looks like a snap shot of one of the crew wading out. I also love the reflective finger on the mixer controls blended in, from the inside gatefold cover of ‘Journey Inwards’.  Side D is also the same figure wading into the water, and it has a glimpse of a Roy Ayers, album cover faded in which was also featured inside the gatefold of ‘Journey Inwards’. Superb artwork! 

    Now to the music. ‘Viewpoint’ is on Side C of this EP. This is another of the tracks that was on the CD, but not the vinyl release of ‘Journey Inwards’. We need no longer fret though, as this delightful snare based roll out delivers more epic, future jazz with a pinch of that resolute music dust that Bukem supplies. The live stage imagery and the way the strings work into this are sweet to the ears. While it springs and jostles it also has a melancholy cloak draped around it. 

   Last up is ‘Sunrain (Instrumental)’ with additional mixing by Dan Duncan from Intense. In all, there are 3 variations of this track, the Vocal Mix, (found on ‘Journey Inwards’ and the 12” single) Flying Fish Remix (12” Single) and this outstanding Instrumental Mix, which highlights the underlying beauty of the music, minus Elliot’s vocals here, (which I do like for that little extra heat in the sunbeams shining down on my face). That said, there’s something a little special with this version. It seems to dismantle the overground placement of the vocal version and unlock the procession of dams, letting things flow more openly and widely. A smooth underground jazz haze, designed for any direction on your internal thought compass. 

 A classy EP from the Good Looking Records head honcho. One that is a nostalgic, and most worthy addition in anyone’s collection. We move into the eighth chapter in the EP’s, tomorrow. My blog is here for your enjoyment too. There’s lots of Good Looking info, pictures  of records and you don’t need any money to enjoy it. What’s keeping you?