[.ca] Big Beach Boutique 2

From Amazon.com:
For a few hours one scorching July day, Brighton Beach became the venue for the Big Beach Boutique II, one of the biggest parties the UK has ever seen. Thanks to the city's star resident, one Mr. Cook (a.k.a. Fatboy Slim), 250,000 revelers were able to forget a decade of shindig-stifling legislation and party for free while perfecting that great move "the pebble shuffle." Predictably, a wave of negative press followed, but for anyone who was there, it was one of the most memorable events since the sun set on the Summer of Love. It's nearly impossible to bottle that kind of atmosphere, but Big Beach Boutique II is a good attempt to bring the sun to your speakers. While excerpts from support DJ sets such as Groove Armada's midpaced "Superstylin'" and the Lo Fidelity Allstars' feisty "Tied to the Mast" create a carnival feel, it's only when Cook kicks off with Tim Deluxe's "It Just Won't Do (dub)" that things really get going. If not the most eclectic mix album ever made, it has enough superb moments, like Cook's magnificent mix of X Press 2's "Lazy," to make BBB II a great slice of nostalgia. --Christopher Barrett

Our Boy Norman Is Losing His Touch:
I have to say, I was extremely disappointed with this release. I am a true Fatboy HEAD, so I was dying to get my hands on this CD when it came out. I think Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) is the more innovative DJ and producer in the scene. I could go on for days about the importance and influence of Fatboy Slim. Unfortunately, in this case, the first 30% of the CD isn't even beatmixed. Just picks faded on top of each other. Secondly, the "big beat" style you'd expect from Fatboy Slim with massive overdubs and multiple cuts and playfulness in the mix is completely missing. This is more in line with what appears to be the new philosophy of DJ compilations: Why mix it, why be creative? Anyone will buy it anyway. The industry seems to expect DJ mix fans are lazy minded and will purchase anything, regardless of talent, energy, or effort. Save yourself the heartache and pick up the "Big Beat Boutique" instead... You'll still enjoy the sound and will hear a DEFINITIVE big beat mix. This is really just a compilation of favorites with crowd noise mixed over it to give it a live "sound". A complete let down. I'd give less that 1 star if Amazon allowed. Very very very disappointed in our boy on this one.

Not his Best Work...:
Fatboy Slim reminds me of just about every techno artist nowadays. Given, his music is much better, his use of soul in his songs is good despite his complains of constant droning by many of his fans. But his attempts are really going in the gutter, and it gets to the point where sometimes you have to be stoned just to tolerate him. Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad; Track 1 in this song definitely gives this record a big boost, a really great song, but from there it tends to go downhill. After about track five, you are left with a bunch of songs that don't give you much but a beat, which you could get anywhere. Glen Masters (track 10) is just TERRIBLE, and the last song (by All Saints) sounds like it just came out of Radio Disney. But the first few songs are really good, and if you like the fatboy, you might want to think about getting this CD. Hopefully he'll stop taking so much acid, however, because he's just getting sloppier with each effort.

Horrible!:
This is not like the DVD at all. This is a totally different. Some of the tracks are the same but mixed in the wrong order. I would not not buy this CD. I loved the DVD and have watched it many times - the CD is not the same and you will be disapointed. I wish I had better news.

Get the DVD Instead:
This disc is only half fatboy slim and is NOT an exact live version of what happened. Geth the DVD and copy it to your computer. The first half of this CD is Midfield general (the not-really-mixed stuff), the second half is kind of a mix of the mix that actually took place. I LOVE the DVD truly live mix though. The commentary is pretty funny too. The DVD shows why fatboy is THE DJ to beat.

Fatboy Slim Does It Again:
This is definatly one of Fatboy Slim's best mix records. It doesn't have all the "You've Come A Long Way, Baby" antics of big-beats and stupid lyrics, its much more House/Progressive House oriented. Think more "Halfway Between The Gutter And Stars." With that said, lets get onto the songs. ~~~ 1\c Midfield General Feat. Linda Lewis - Reach Out This track is definatly a good opener. Theres no real steady danceable beat to it, but it definatly sets the pace for this awesome album. Linda Lewis has really nice vocals, so the song isn't a total wreck. 2\c Fatboy Slim - Talking 'Bout My Baby (Midfield General's Disco Reshuffle) This track was one of those hit or miss tracks from "Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars," but here, it sets a nice pace. Once again, this isn't a real danceable track, like #1, but its not bad at all. 3\c Groove Armada - Superstylin' Now this is where the album starts to get goin with those danceable riffs that Fatboy Slim is known for. Groove Armada are one of my other favourite artists, and this song is really good. The mixing from track #2 to this one isn't the best, but once you hit the beat, you forget all about it. 4\c Danmass - Haze The shortest track on the album, but still a pretty good one. A nice chugging bass line, and some cool synths make this one a nice short little ditty. Nothing too amazing, but it was just a fun track. 5\c Lo Fidelity Allstars - Tied To The Mast This was a pretty cool track, although I don't really like the "roughness" of it. It didn't really appeal to me, but it doesn't mean you won't like it. It has a nice big-beat sound to it, with drums a'blazin. 6\c Tim Deluxe - It Just Won't Do (Dub) Now HERE is where the album really picks up. Quite posible the saver of the whole album, just because of its great placement, and awesome beat. Fatboy Slim has a thing for picking great tracks that make you just wanna get up and shake ya butt, and this one is no exception. 7\c Kurtis Mantronik Presents Chamonix - 77 Strings Another really good track that just plays off of #6's great beat and pacing. The track has a nice violin line that goes great with the awesome beat and a great dancing atmosphere. Definatly a keeper. 8\c Space Cowboy - Crazy Talk (Dub) This track is one of the fun ones. It has a great bouncy rhythm which is always good when you're in the middle of an album (basically what this track is). Nothing too special about the track, but its pretty good. 9\c Mint Royale - Sexiest Man In Jamaica The song is a pretty good track. One of those songs that'll make you go "I've never heard that before, but I love it." Not a real album highlight, but I enjoy it lots. A nice tropical-ish rhythm with some Jamaican vocals. Overall a good track. 10\c Glen Masters - Hi Jackers Definatly not one of my favourite tracks. It is just a mediocre big-beat track, with no real standout things to it. I normally memorise what tracks are coming next, but this one I just can't seem to remember - And thats an idication that its pretty much just an okay track. 11\c X Press 2 - Lazy (Fatboy Slim Dub Mix) This is definatly a really great track. Fatboy Slim has always done great re-mixes, and this one is really fun. It has a great rhythm, and fits perfectly with the rest of the album. The beat is great, and has a distinction from the rest of the tracks. I like it. 12\c Camisra - Let Me Show You\o/b\c "Let me show you what I'm capable of." Well, Fatboy Slim certainly is capable of picking kick-butt tracks, because this one rocks so much! The track makes you just want to pump your fist in the air and jump up and down. Its an all out beat fest, with the great pounding bass and just awesome atmosphere. Definatly my favourite track on the album. Greatness. 13\c Static Revenger Feat. The Mullet Men - Long Time One of the most "summery" feeling tracks on it, it has a great pulse-pounding beat, with some nice vocals. One of the most House/Progressive House sounding songs on the album, its definatly a keeper. Fatboy Slim sure does know how to select his tracks. 14\c Cylone - Lord Of The Land A mediocre track at best. Nothing to distinguish it from the rest of the crowd, its just there to keep the flow going, and the beat up. Its not technically a bad track, some might like it, but Its just not really that great. 15\c Fusion Orchestra - Farfisa Now THIS is what I call a nice unique track with some awesome beats, and just a pulse-pounding energy to it its just fun. The synths add a sort of "outer space" feeling to the track, and it works really well to distinguish it from the rest of the tracks, definatly making it one of the highlight track from the album that you just have to hear. 16\c Mighty Dub Katz - Let The Drums Speak A nice chugging bass, with some great danceable rhythms make this a pretty good track. Although, I'd say its a hit or miss one. Not bad, but definatly nothing too amazing about it. Just an okay song. 17\c All Saints - Pure Shores (Norman Cook Re-Edit) This is definatly not a way I'd end an awesome album so far. Its basically just teen-pop music with some danceableness to it. Fatboy Slim has always known how to make his albums go out with a "bang," but this one was just... not a good closer. Not a bad track by any means, its just too slow and "groovy" for this album. ~~~ Phew, that was alot of typing! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my review of the great mix CD by the master of beats Fatboy Slim. Its definatly a diverse selections of songs that anyone could find one that they just love. I'd definatly recommend buying this great album. You won't be disappointed!

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