i have newfound respect for my bigbeat idol Norman Cook. I had heard of his extensive music background but i never really got a chance to taste it.... yummy. I was used to the fatboy slim sound and late beats international sound but i thought that he was stuck to his style like he couldn't write it any other way. This cd proved me very wrong, the only common ground that all these songs have is that they have the Fatboy aura of just feelgood beats. Ain't nuttin wrong wit dat! This cd covers his new sound and his earlier sound which includes some reggae flavored songs and some treats like tribute to king tubby (the father of dub). If you are a dedicated norman cook fan then buy this cd! If you're an openminded techno fan and interested in the history of mr cook then check it out, it takes some getting used to but once you break the cd in its fan-damn-tastic,

Love, peace, 'n grease ya'll, Alex

With this release Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, puts together several previously released tracks under the project, "Beats International", most of which was produced in 1991. The CD also includes several nicely remixed songs including, Shinehead-Start an Avalanche, that features Mc'ing by, E.C. Aiken Jr, and scratching by Tyrone "Cut Master" Ffyfe. Also, several other mixes that are included on his UK release of "On The Floor At The Boutique", and his, "Fatboy Slim's Greatest Remixes". This is an excellent CD that expresses several sides of Norman's musical capabilities. This should tide your Fatboy Slim needs over until the realease of his US Debut of "On The Floor At The Boutique" and the anticipated release of "Vol. 1-Essential Selection".

All I can say is God Bless Norman Cook... this collection goes way back for me because I was a club dj when all these songs were coming out and I used to spin just about all of them on a regular basis. Todays dance music producers (and even many hip-hop producers) owe a lot to Norman Cook because he helped pave the way for todays scene! This CD Rocks!!! If you were clubing when back when these songs were coming out, you'll remember how refreshing they sounded compared to everything else that was going on!!! so to those who say "don't waste your money", I'd probably guess they have very limited music collections and we're bummed it wasn't "You've Come A Long Way Baby 2", and simply have a long way to come themselves when it comes to music.

I bought this cd for a roadtrip to Austin and it was perfect! It isn't as technoey as his other stuff, but it is still good. It's also very old skool. If you're looking for something like better living...or you've come a long... this isn't it. However, if you want something with clean basslines and catchy lyrics, go for it. Altogether, I'd like to see more music of this style from Norman Cook.

If you know Norman Cook only from his "You've Come A Long Way Baby" Fatboy slim, Funksoulbrother days, you might think he was all about gettin' cats up on the dance floor with pouding beats and heavy house- but no way, his range of talent and influences go way beyond that.

This album is completely different from "You've Come A Long Way Baby," but oh, my what a pleasure to listen to. Check out tracks like "Left my Wallet in El Segundo" (my favorite cut) and I defy not to crank it and jam out in your home, your jeep, your wheelchair, or wherever you happen to be. All the styles blend effortlessly here and you should blend effortlessly with the hip crowd too when you throw this on at the next party at your digs.

This album has it all, reagga beats, old school hip-hop influences, house, dub, you name it. And its all put together to create some very funky, very tasty tracks a la Norman Cook.