DJ Alex Corton – Good Looking Records

Good Looking Records

Various – GLR-X X10 DB (1CD-) &

Phazer / Scalar – Project: Studio X – Fields Of Mars / Solar

2002

The Friday flow encroaches and we reach the weekend, the ending of another week of Good Looking Records reviews and hopefully a time for those essential sounds to make more of their way into your lives. 

   Today we have the first of a series of releases from Good Looking Records, that I don’t feel have the recognition that they deserve. While the label was not as constant at churning out a torrent of anthems like the good old days, it still lent a very important piece to the world of drum and bass. 

   The Studio X and X2 releases conveyed a somewhat exclusive message in its presentation, with several established artists along side some fresh new ones. The way it was perceived from my angle, was one of tracks being sent into Good Looking, and being held for future release, following a “yay” or “nay” from Danny Bukem. What actually happened was that Good Looking got together some tunes that were floating around the organization and then thought, “let’s make a compilation” instead. 

   Now, this could have been a calamity if it had just been the CD’s, which featured some very interesting marketing for downloadable screen savers, behind the scenes footage (which I never watched, so can’t tell you about), and a remix CD. The technology was creeping in wasn’t it? 

   For the first Studio X release we have artwork by Nick Purser and Gareth Jones, which began on this project in 2002 and took us up to 2004 with the second part of the series. Any info on the design for this one Nick or Gareth? It was definitely another 3D program being utilized. It gives a migratory feel with the way the cylindrical tubes seem to flock across the view. Maybe it’s the migration of technology that comes to mind.. I don’t know. 

    There was only one 12” single that came from this LP, which is the white label we have pictured here with the CD. The vinyl 12” takes track 1 & 3 from the Studio X compilation, which considering the strength of the other artists on this, is a pretty bold call. Oliver Smith is Scalar who I believe has only ever had this one track released. He has the B Side on the 12” release here, and the first track on the CD, which is a beautiful space jazz excursion, taking a lighter style and spiraling off into the orbiting paths of cosmic equilibrium. Why Oliver never made more drum and bass material is fucking insane. He is now into trance production and was one of the earliest (and most frequent) artists to feature on the Ajunabeats label. His talent has been put to good use.

  Pariah’s ’Spiral Spirit’ is up next, with that trademark perky, assortment of sounds and little, off the trail beat pattern. The Pariah sound is very apparent as the capsule of intergalactic exploration continues into the clusters of rhythmic desires. That midnight saxophone is a true peach. 

   Phazer is Massimo Lombardo who we featured during the Deep Rooted label side of Good Looking Records. Here he has the third track on the LP, and the Side A cut on the 12” plate, ‘Fields Of Mars’. This has a brewing cloud of fine red dust bellowing across the uncharted terrain of the red planet, as the beats intricately roll and that Makoto style harmony comes brushing in. The guitar work adds a lucrative ambience to the piece.

   Soul Purpose are up next with a track that has a beat sounding like globules of bass jelly are being smacked around a pinball machine. It a real bouncy beat and has a very different flow because of it. ‘Where You At?’ Mark Wilkins and Ross Marshall put together an energetic and somewhat uplifting production in the sense that it captures a bit of quiet chaos on the bridge. 

   Intersperse are up next with ‘The Life On Me’ and provide this incredible piece of music that I wish had been put on vinyl. Why this first X Series was so sparse with the vinyl is a sacrilege. Layers of pads, an addictive bass and the rhythmic prowess of the Greek duo is a gift from the gods. 

  Greg Packer has track number six, ‘Touch Me’. This seems to slingshot a rapid ray of space funk around the bright orbs of the universe. This is engineered by a fellow Ozzy, Adrian Sardi, who Greg had worked with on previous projects. The piano in this reminds me of Hype’s ‘Dreams’ on the Roll The Beats plate. 

   Avid Nation’s ‘Constant Motion’ is up next. This is a very similar style to their previous work on Good Looking, with the addition of Daniella Delmonte on vocals. The woman from Del Monte, she say “Yes”..  remember those commercials? 

  Pariah has another track here called ‘Forever Real’ which is another belter of a track that could so easily have been a Good Looking release as a single in the catalogue of the 12”s. Like a lot on this compilation, it becomes hidden all too easily and for me, misses a prime opportunity for establishing itself as a really solid and respected tune. I just wish it had been pushed out more. 

  J Laze provides us ‘Arrow Warz’ as the penultimate track of the LP. This has a beast of a double bass, catching such a creative frequency of sound. J Laze pretty much guaranteed a first class journey when he wrote his music, and we have here another example of how on top of his game he was. Another one that should have a lot more recognition and praise. The breakdown alone, shakes everything into focus and we have this spine tingling shiver coursing through us. Just perfect! 

    Last up is a track from Omni Trio & Deep Blue, that did hit the vinyl 12”s as it came out on GLR061, so the review is in my blog, featured below. It’s well worth revisiting. 

    That’s the first part of this Studio X series written, we’ll crack on with the X-2 series when we return next week. Have a wonderful weekend and spin those tunes!