Label Focus
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Good Looking Records
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There have been many labels in drum and bass that have proven to be successful and long standing, all independent, all featuring top artists, and all producing good tracks. But few can boast such a diversified and influential history as
"Good Looking" records. We, in one of many label focus features, take an in depth look into the label that has, and still is the pinnacle of the music we love.LTJ Bukem, now one of the many don’s in the scene, decided to set up his own record label back in the early nineties, at a time when bassheadz were dancing around on the dance floors to his killer tune "Demons Theme", which of course was to become Good Looking’s first release. Bukem's popularity grew immensely, and was recognisable through the many gigs he was playing at the time, getting a chance to test out his label's tunes, "Atlantis" proved to be a big hit, and became even bigger than his previous debut track.. With two hit records under their belt, it wasn’t long before Bukem and Kru were on the look out for prospective artists for their ever - growing label, releasing some one off tracks produced by the likes of Peshay, PFM and Photek, Good Looking were able to establish a good artist roster, of which included:
Blu Mar Ten, Big Bud & Blame, with MC's Conrad & DRS.
Good Looking wanted to be something different, the scene needed a new sound, something different from the hard and dark that was being produced far too often enough. They wanted a strict music policy of putting out some good mellow jazz and bass music, a sound that was welcomed by most bassheadz. One of the first labels to pioneer this type of new genre in drum and bass, their tunes plagued clubs all around the country. Bukem's burning ambition to put Good Looking firmly on the drum and bass map, came in 1995, when he decided to set up the "Logical Progression" project, which gained mass reviews in the media, leading to many offers for Bukem’s label to be taken over by various business tycoons, which adamantly he turned down, preferring to keep his pride and joy totally independent. Business was booming, and the logical progression club nights were proving to be all too popular, which is what led to the Good Looking click into setting up a new sister label called "Lookin Good", and in 1996 it saw the first of what was to become a huge series of successful compilations entitled "Earth" & "Cookin". 1997, saw the "Logical Progression" album released, and from the success of this package, one year later, Good Looking put together a series of mix cd’s entitled "Progression Sessions" which showcased the talents of Conrad, DRS, Blame and Bukem himself.
With all of these albums and of course the many many singles that had been released on 12” Bukem and Kru put their heads together to think of a way to get all of their achievements together as one whole venture, and the outcome being “Points in Time” a massive set, and series of cd’s focusing on all of Good Looking’s releases. Again these albums were sold like hot cakes, and with the millennium up and coming, it was time for Bukem to focus on a solo album. Something which we had all been waiting for since the very beginning of the Good Looking era. Along with Bukem’s solo work, also came another in the form of Big Bud, widely regarded as one the best producers in the scene, he was also hard at work, producing some of his own solo work ready for 2000. Released last year, "Journey Inwards" by Bukem and "Infinity + Infinity" by Big Bud, were released, two of the biggest selling albums of 2000 in the scene, and two of the best produced albums in the scene’s entire history. "Journey Inwards", breaking the boundaries of musical ingenuity, and also an album which quite evidently was an inspirational look into Bukems influences and life, stormed the national commercial press and charts. Good Looking as always, are still continuing to surprise us with their amazing experimental outlook, and this year alone have had success with the new "Producer" series albums and more recently finishing the "Cookin’ Ingredients" duo collections, which again are set to sell out in all major drum and bass stockists. There is no denying that this is a label that will continue to prove that it has more to offer and a whole lot more to give in respect to producing decent ambient soundz that no one else dares to go, and you can expect to see them at the forefront of this scene, for another 10 years at least!. Take a breif look at the family:
MEET THE FAMILY:
ARTEMIS
An Artist for Good Looking since 96, he is more well known for his 'Silver Dawn' and 'First Light' on Earth 2 and 3.
BIG BUD
Shot to fame for his Creative Source release 'Fantasy', His debut solo album "Infinity + Infinity" Gave the scene something to talk about!
BLAME
Owner of his own label "720 Degrees" he started off working for Moving Shadow before he joined the Good Looking Kru.
BLU MAR TEN
Through remixing Erykah Badu's 'On & On' LTJ scouted these two before luring them to the camp where success has been at their peril
LTJ BUKEM
Obviously no introduction needed, the head man and brains behind their success.
CONRAD
One of the best MC's in the business, he has just recently released his own compilation on the producer series.
DRS
Another fine MC, hooked up with Conrad which is how he became a Good Looking regular.
FUTURE ENGINEERS
Came to light in 1997 with tune "Silence", they now put out a few tunes on Blame's label.
PFM
Defintely a bad bwoy when it comes to old skool, PFM hit national interest with his "One and Only" tribute to LTJ tune.
RANTOUL
A great DJ, Rantoul signed to Good Looking with a debut tune entitled "Too High" he has gone onto appear on many Progression Sessions Compilations.
Other Artists:
Intense, Makoto, Nookie, PHD, Seeba and Tayla
For more information and to buy merchandise from the Good Looking kru, check out their website:
http://www.glo.uk.com
