Electronic > 2000 to 2005 Electronic > Fatboy Slim

Halfway Between Middling and Mediocre

Advantages: 'Bird Of Prey' and Macy Gray's contributions are pretty cool...
Disadvantages: some weak tracks, familiar sounding formula in places

Norman Cook has recorded music is more guises than most people have had hot dinners. He had been a member of the chart-topping bands The Housemartins and Beats International, as well as scoring dance hits under the monikers Pizzaman and Mighty Dub Katz before arguably reaching the peak of his critical acclaim as Fatboy Slim. After releasing his debut 'Better Living Through Chemistry' and the critically acclaimed and bestselling 'You've Come A Long ...
...'Halfway Between The Gutter and The Stars', which was released in 2000. However, it sold a fraction of what it was expected to and was widely received as being disappointing. Somewhat more adult orientated than his previous efforts, the album starts off with 'Talking Bout My Baby', which features a simple piano melody with a repetitive vocal sampled from 'Macon Hambone Blues' by the interestingly titled band 'Wet Willie'. Not the strongest track ...

stoffy 09.01.2003 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars [PA] - Fatboy Slim

The very best of Big Beat

Advantages: The very best of Big Beat talent mixed by the best DJ in the world 8-)
Disadvantages: Too loud for your average granny

On the Floor truly represents "the mad musical mishmash that the Boutique was all about" - it is a varied mix of some of the best Big Beat I've ever heard. Fatboy Slim fans will certainly be pleased - if you liked "You've come a long way, baby", you'll like this - it's the same mad, upbeat crazy sample-fest. The advantage of it being a mix album is that, despite obviously being the styles Norman is really into, it is actually quite varied. If you ...

jonm2001 24.03.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of On The Floor At The Big Beat Boutique (Mixed By Fatboy Slim) - Fatboy Slim

The "Miles_Gurtu" experiment

Advantages: A blend of intricate beats, varied jazzy melodies and experimental soundscapes.
Disadvantages: Over-tweaking disrupts the ambience occasionally. No mainstream appeal. Some tracks don't work.

Take a Swiss-Italian ambient trance producer (Robert Miles) and blend together with an Indian percussionist (Trilok Gurtu). Add other talented musicians to the mix and allow to simmer gently, making sure you season generously with electronic sculpting and processing. The resulting album is an interesting fusion of acoustic instruments, electronic processed sounds, intricate beats, jazz and experimental soundscapes. Released in 2004, “MilesGurtu” ...
...the dream trance that he became famous for. It builds on his previous album “Organik” (released in 2001), which was his first attempt at creating an experimental sound. This album is characterised by being completely instrumental although 3 tracks feature vocal samples. Double bass, strings, guitar and rhodes performances feature frequently, creating delicate melodies whilst complex beats are generated from drums and tabla. Many tracks shift and ...

music-mad 22.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Miles_Gurtu - Robert Miles & Trilok Gurtu

Slightly disappointed but still good

Advantages: some golden oldies
Disadvantages: alot of the tunes you will have on the older gatecrasher cds

When I saw this product advertised on the television I was so excited because I have all the gatecrasher albumns and I just loved the idea of a best of gatecrasher albumn but then you get the the idea of, is it worth buying it cos you will have most thesongs alreadyalbeit on 10 different albumns. So there is the first good point of this albumn, all the classics on one albumn that you can stick on, on a saturday night and dance away till your hearts ...
...tunes and some not so good tunes so like me I was tempted just to buy it off itunes and download the tunes I liked but at 99p each I found I like more than £9.99 worth of tunes so I bought the albumn. Theres some old time favourites and some current classics with some great remixes and with 3 cds you really do get your moneys worth. Its a mixture of house and dance and a little bit of trance thrown in. You can dance to this music and it really would ...

Mogette999 24.11.2009 · Read full review

Review of Gatecrasher's Club Anthems 1993-2009 [Digipak] - Various Artists

Soil Festivities - Beautiful, soothing instrumental music.

Advantages: Music to really relax to.
Disadvantages: Movement 3 breaks the mood somewhat!

...first track (movement 1) of Soil Festivities, and showed him actually playing and recording it. It started with thunder and rain, and then lots of birds and animals gathering around an African watering hole to drink. I was captivated. There are no actual animal sounds used but birds are mimicked by the synthesisers. The music is so gentle, uplifting and soothing. Layer upon layer of beautiful sounds. Very warm feeling. Completely instrumental throughout. ...
...really make synthesiser music that is full of emotion and feeling. There a 5 movements to this album. Movement 3 is less relaxing, more turbulent, and not one of my favourites. The other tracks more than make up for this. Perfect for background or upfront listening. Good for bedtime (except movement3). Highly recommended if you like relaxing instrumental music. ...

Snaplight645 14.11.2009 · Read full review

Review of Soil Festivities - Vangelis