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Lord of the Dance Fatboy Slim returns with the key tracks
from July's unbelievably riotous Big Beach Boutique 2, the epic tabloid
bothering jamboree that attracted about two million people to the Brighton sea
front (okay, maybe it was closer to 250,000) one summer Saturday.
Excitable red tops predictably focused on the negative aspects that emerged,
like the unfortunate handful of fatalities and alleged environmental damage
to the beach. However, the enormous popularity of the Fatboy was clearly
demonstrated by the fact that 210,000 more people turned up than was
expected. The man truly is a dance legend.
His story has been told many times before, the early days in the
Housemartins, the depression and liberal drug use, the million
albums sold, the hundreds of alter egos, Zoe Ball and Woody, the
superstar DJ. You have to admire Norman Cook for his ability to rise
above the tough times and succeed, but also for his humble attitude to
stardom. This ain't no moody DJ with a king-size chip on his shoulder, just a
grounded guy who loves what he does, and is not afraid to show it.
What's more, Norman's gift for creating and selecting records that
demand to be danced to is unsurpassed. Okay, so his mode of thinking is
unashamedly populist, but really, who cares. This is a guy with his finger
firmly on the pulse of the wider dance nation, not the geeky underground
trainspotters. His heart probably beats at around 120 bpm.
And the music? Exactly what you would expect, but this itself is no
bad thing. Chunky, groovily funky party house, topped by plenty of sing
along vocal samples. Several recent favourites are present and correct, from
the likes of Tim Deluxe's Ibiza gem It Just Won't Do through to
Mint Royale's bold as brass Sexiest Man In Jamaica. And Norman is
not afraid to plunder from the past either. The Midfield General's
uplifting Reach Out gets the party started, whilst Groove Armada's
bassy stunner Superstylin' takes the bpms up a notch or two.
Camisra's undeniably large Let Me Show You gives the mix a big fat
rocket up its' arse and fittingly the Fatboy finishes with his own re-edit
of the really rather ace Pure Shores.
This is a mix album that wears its smile loud and proud. It's
having a ball and is not scared of letting people know. It's not packed with
'hip' or 'ironic' electroclash crap favoured by urbanites with funny
haircuts. It might not be the 'coolest' dance album you could buy this side
of Shoreditch but quite frankly, I couldn't give a monkey's nuts. This is a
collection tailor made to give people a fantastic time and no more,
regardless of fly by night fads, and that's more than good enough for
me.
For those that were at Brighton beach in July this album will
undoubtedly bring the memories flooding back. For those that weren't, I'd
recommend you get this anyway as it's damned fine. A BBB3 is not confirmed,
so this is a great chance to grab a slice of dance history. After all, when
was the last gig you went to that was attended by a quarter of a million people?
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