DJ Alex Corton – Good Looking Records

Good Looking Records

Makoto – Joy EP plate 1

2004

Today we reach the last review for the Good Looking Records EP’s before we embark on the next section of the label. We have a few 12” singles to roll through along with a couple more LPs and then the Producer, Points In Time, Progression Sessions and another compilation. 

    I hope that your weekend was one that found the golden nectar of the music, at some point along the way? It seems to be the constant median for stabilizing one’s mind and while it allows that escape, it also makes you wonder if it’s the pinnacle of emotional stability. The variations in moods that you can pick out are like having all the medications of the world, at your fingertips. A pharmacist with the self medicating access. Let’s roll out this one today. 

   This is half an EP with just this one plate, and no artwork to accompany it. Gareth Jones did have plans for the art for this, which you can see in the photo below:

Makoto did put out another couple of releases in 2004, just before the label closed its doors for the first of its gap years, although 2005 did see GLR & ZYX combine for ‘Golden Girl’ in 2005. Makoto was definitely in his rhythm by now, being only the third artist to feature on the Progression Sessions series (Volume 9), which is another mix where you’ll find today’s music. The Instrumental mix is the intro track on that mix and then there is a vocal mix at the end of CD 2. 

    I also wonder if Makoto had the other two tracks lined up for this EP or he just held back until the ‘Believe In My Soul’ EP in 2007? Either way, I feel cutting a project in half is almost like Indiana Jones reaching for his hat as the stone door descends and he loses his arm. I know it was the labels control (or lack of), more than Makoto’s He still has another one but there’s an unbalanced feel. Maybe that’s a bit drastic but you get the point…maybe. 

    Side A is ‘Joy’ which is labelled and etched as ‘Joy (Vocal Mix)’. Alas, it’s the instrumental that is on Side A. As EP’s go, based on the tracks we’ve ventured through in this series, I have to say that this one is not a frequented disc. While it delivers a catchy a hook, it just seems to repeat it for the entire tune with the segments being dropped and lifted in and out. I love the frequency of the bassline, the funky guitar samples and the clarity of production, but Makoto’s catalogue leading up to this was a heck of a lot more creative and thought out. “Music is a joy”.. it is that indeed. 

   Side B is labelled ‘Joy (Instrumental)’ but is the Vocal Mix with Deeizm on lyrical duty having worked with Makoto on his ‘Human Elements’ album. Of the two of the versions on this EP, I’m going to say that the Instrumental is my favorite, which may be dependent on the mood I’m listening to these tracks? I think the Vocal Mix does flare up a bit of a live summer session which may sound more appealing to me during the summer? It doesn’t seem to bring the heat too much right now. Deeizm’s vocals don’t click too much for me when she MCs, but on this track she does bring a solid performance. 

    That wraps up the EPs. If you have a favorite, or fancy immersing yourself in some of the back catalogue of the Good Looking label, then my blog is here, so I hope you get the chance to read a few from the last few months and see some of the artwork that adds so much to the overall experience.