Live on Brighton Beach

Live on Brighton Beach

On a crystal clear English summer's evening in 2001, Norman Cook played a celebrated DJ set in front of an estimated 30,000 loved-up Brightonians, generating two hours of typically hedonistic party mayhem. It's these two hours--or, at least, an edited version of them--that make up Cook's first mix album in ages and a perfect souvenir of the night now known as "Normstock." Soundwise, the album sees Senor Fatboy doing what he does best--mashing up thumping dance floor favorites with a sweat-drenched party panache. Those expecting classic big beat belters are in for a shock, though, since Mr. Slim is more into straight-up house and techno these days--albeit with a party twist. So, we get some of 2001's biggest records--Basement Jaxx's "Where's Your Head At?," Raven Maze's "The Real Life," a couple from Santos--alongside a smattering of classics (Leftfield's "Phat Planet," an anthemic version of Underworld's "Born Slippy") and the off Fatboy number to keep the regulars happy. The result is a hot, sweaty, grimy mix that captures the sound and feel of Norman Cook's DJ sets, even if it does feel a touch out of date. <I>--Matt Anniss</I>