Fatboy Slim
You've Come a Long Way, Baby

THE REVIEW

Norman Cook is an absolutely extraordinary character, gifted with an eclecticism and musical culture that are truly astounding.

English, active since the '80s as a bassist in the Pop-Rock band the Housemartins, with the beginning of the next decade, Norman dedicated himself fully to the activity of DJ, producer, and "sound digger": his hands are involved in projects like Beats International (do you remember "Dub Be Good To Me"?), and from '95 he breathed life into the alter-ego Pizzaman, with which he produced an album, various 12" records, and remixes.

However, it is with the pseudonym Fatboy Slim (!!) that he literally hit the big time, more precisely in 1998, the year of the release of "You've Come A Long Way, Baby", a second work released two years after the noteworthy "Better Living Through Chemistry" (a title that says it all!). The album is stratospheric, an explosive and masterfully assembled blend of Breakbeat, Hip-Hop, Acid, Electronica, and more, and it is rightly considered as one of the undisputed masterpieces of that entirely English trend of the '90s, known to most as "Big-Beat".

It is undoubtedly superfluous to recall and describe the various tracks (also because there are as many as four very famous singles), but a special mention deserves the work of our subject, who samples from everywhere, from Funk to Surf, passing through Rock & Roll, the golden age Hip-Hop, soundtracks, and blends everything with the wisdom of a careful chef in the kitchen. Just remember the epic atmosphere of "Right Here, Right Now", the irresistible "The Rockafeller Skank" (also chosen as a leading track for the 'Fifa '99' video game soundtrack), the 4/4 beats of "Gangster Tripping", the tremendously 60's and beach mood of "Soul Surfing", the memorable voice and piano sample in "Praise You" (in addition to the hilarious video, directed by the great Spike Jonze), then closing with the delirious blend of engaging and regular drumming combined with menacing synths of the conclusive "Acid 8000", with which an album ends that to define it over the top is an understatement.

In conclusion, a lot has been said and written about a work like "You've Come A Long Way, Baby", about Fatboy Slim, about Big-Beat in general, and continuing to do so ten years on may not make much sense. However, it is equally true that our future is also (in part) our past, and it is right, even today, to express our gratitude to a true musician like Norman Cook, and for an album that, in all respects, can be defined as a milestone in the electronics and music of the '90s.

Essential.