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THE REVIEW
When I first saw the cover, I must have been between 10 and 11 years old, and I remember very well that I burst into laughter for I don't know how long. Anyway, aside from the lard ball, I must say that I really love this album. Some, or rather, almost all of the tracks, among Adidas commercials, Fastweb and Nastro Azzurro, games like "FIFA 99", movies like "Bruce Almighty", and TV shows like "la Domenica Sportiva" (and there would be many more examples), I've heard more times on TV and in video games than on the radio; when I first listened to the album, I said: "Ah! I thought I had already heard this song somewhere else...".
All the tracks are hilarious for a great hour of dance, but the well-made kind, and they came out in a period ruled by Chemical Brothers and Prodigy. I believe that "The Rockafeller Skank" has been heard at least once by each of us; some might not know the title, but they surely have heard it; it's impossible to forget that blessed phrase "Right about now, the funk soul brother, check it out now, the funk soul brother..." repeated for 7 minutes in every possible variation.
The repetition itself is one of the main features of the album; all the songs are made of small fragments repeated ad nauseam with the sole purpose of penetrating inside the mind.
"The Rockafeller Skank" is preceded by "Right Here, Right Now," the opening track, which perhaps involved me the most, thanks to a tune that quickly hacked the access code to my brain, where it settled never to leave; the video is cute as well, ending with the beautiful image we see on the cover.
Another great masterpiece of the album is the beautiful "Praise You," with a magnificent piano that accompanies one of the most danced dance songs at the end of the '90s. A San Siro style sound in the first minutes of "Soul Surfing," complete with stadium whistles and trumpets, which I think makes it the most particular song ever. If instead, you are maniacs of audio systems, there is nothing better than the terrifying bass of "Love Island" to test the power of your sub.
Finally, it is worth remembering that Fat Boy Slim really has an excellent and unmistakable mixing style, which quickly made him one of the best artists in his genre. "You've Come A Long Way Baby" is perhaps the best rabbit that the friendly deejay has ever pulled out of his hat; along with "The Fat Of The Land," it's my favorite dance album.
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Summary by Bot
The reviewer fondly recalls first encountering the album cover and praises the album's infectious dance tracks, many of which have been featured widely in media. Iconic songs like "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You" demonstrate Fatboy Slim's signature repetitive style and excellent mixing. The album is lauded as one of the best dance albums of its era and a personal favorite.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim is the stage name of English DJ and producer Norman Cook, associated with the 1990s UK big beat scene. Reviews highlight his sampling-heavy production, genre-blending approach, and mainstream breakthrough with “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” and its hit singles.13 Reviews
Other reviews
By Zimo_26
The atmosphere of "Right here right now", a track you will have certainly heard, of unparalleled atmosphere.
I appreciate well-crafted dance music, not the trivial kind.
By ZiOn
The album is stratospheric, an explosive and masterfully assembled blend of Breakbeat, Hip-Hop, Acid, Electronica, and more.
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.
By Gabbo
Fatboy Slim shuns any type of label since it would be a futile effort to categorize and enclose his vast musical production.
'You've Come a Long Way Baby' stands as the masterpiece of the English musician, perhaps more than any other album representative of the kind of artist he is.
