Album Review: Fatboy Slim – The Fatboy Slim Collection
3 min read
Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook) is one of the most influential DJ’s and producers of our time, being one of those few responsible for bringing the big bear genre into the mainstream in the late 90’s. With nostalgic hits such as Right Here, Right Now and Praise You it’s not hard to have heard of him, his hits still receive radio play here and there and have been featured in multiple movies and TV series, as well as for sporting events. His latest instalment is The Fatboy Slim Collection, which consists of a handful of his classics as well as an array of other influential electronic/dance and big beat tracks, which is sure to bring back memories and expand your big beat/dance collection.
One of his most recognised tracks, Right Here, Right Now sounds just as fresh as ever and it’s hard to believe that it was released over 16 years ago! The Chemical Brothers receive a nod with Block Rockin’ Beats, another influential electronic act who are still just as relevant today as they were in the late 90’s. Wildchild’s Renegade Master received the Fatboy Slim treatment and was remixed to perfection with its energetic enthusiasm; Soulchild’s remix of Gorillaz’ 19-2000 was also featured, giving one of the most seemingly bland songs an uplifting renovation. Fatboy Slim’s radio edit of Groove Armada’s I See You Baby is one of his most memorable remixes, and his remix of X-Press’ Lazy also made the cut. Nostalgia comes back for Armand Van Helden’s NYC Beat which has been heard absolutely everywhere, and the war between Justice vs Simian was also relived with We Are Your Friends. Moog Cookbook’s remix of Air’s Kelly Watch The Stars also received a worthy inclusion with its airy vibe and feel good bass line, Cassius’ 1999 deserved a slot also.
Although there may not have been much going on in Pizzaman’s Trippin’ On Sunshine, you can still hear why FBS would include the track in his collection, the lifting vibe is enough to get you bopping. The collection would not be relevant enough if Slim hadn’t of included his remix of The Beastie Boys’ Body Movin’, its thumping goodness has lifted many bums from the couch. Scanty Sandwich’s Because Of You made the cut, which uses the instantly recognisable voice of a young Michael Jackson performing Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day from his Motown years, this is easily one of the best tracks featured on the collection. The bumpy Magic Carpet Ride by Mighty Dub Katz is a throwback from 1995 and is incredibly diverse with its dance/club beat and its sampling of Latin culture. Clivilles And Coles’ mix of A Deeper Love has a more intense vibe and you can hear why FBS is attracted to it with its precision and attention to detail. Atlantic Ocean’s Waterfall is repetitive but it sure sounds solid, whereas Calvin Harris’ radio edit of Slim’s Eat Sleep Rave Repeat is a little more interesting and intensifying; lastly, Fatboy Slim joins forces with Jerome Robins and vocalist Idris Elba for their special edition of Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk, and it’s amazing.
Fatboy Slim sure has taste and that’s evident with his Fatboy Slim Collection, it’s great when you get an insight into what music influences/inspires an already influential artist. You may feel that some if his tracks were missing, even though you’ve heard songs like Praise You and Weapon Of Choice a thousand times, but essentially we weren’t listening to a greatest hits compilation so all is forgiven! The artists featured should feel a sense of honour in pride that somebody of Fatboy Slim’s calibre would include their music on his own compilation, even though a handful of them could be considered being of the same status (like The Chemical Brothers and The Beastie Boys). All in all a decent compilation, and we can thank Fatboy Slim for opening his fans up to music they may not have heard or treating us all to a massive throwback to what was and still is cool.
