Norman Cook - All-Star Breakbeats

Fans of producer and DJ Norman Cook in his various incarnations as Beats International and, most recently, Fatboy Slim should be warned not to jump at this disc without reading the fine print on the front cover. Although it does include what looks like 11 new tunes, these actually are bare-bones drum loops and samples designed not for listening or dancing, but as raw material for use by other producers and DJs. In the case of "Prince of the Beats," for example, the entire track consists of a single drum loop and a repeated three-word vocal sample; Leisure Boys is similar, with electronic drums and the occasional incursion of synthesized bass. Read More