Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars (Astralwerks)
Rating: 5 out of 7
By Rob O' Connor
How do you go from being a replacement bass player for the Housemartins to the hottest DJ in demand? IΓÇÖm certain there are plenty of former child actors trying to figure out how to make such a successful transition. Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, this time hooks up with the very tall Macy Gray and the impact is obvious. DJs like to get freaky, and who better to get freaky with than someone whose voice personifies the quality?
Concept is king in what is the musical equivalent of modern art. Why else to include an obscure Doors track (from An American Prayer) on a sample for ΓÇ£Sunset (Bird of Prey)ΓÇ¥ than to get a cool dead guy on the album and show off how well you know your history? Lots of weird references here and there. The presence of Bootsy Collins is a nice hook-up as well. And hey, isnΓÇÖt that sun on the album cover shining out of someoneΓÇÖs behind? This dude is a sly whippersnapper, I swear!
All recordings courtesy of Astralwerks. ΓÇ£Ya Mama ("Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya"?)ΓÇ¥ written by N. Cook, F. Cutlass, C. Smith, J. Hiseman, D. Heckstall-Smith, D. Finley; courtesy of Universal Music Publishing, LTD/Twenty Three West Music/Cutlass Music/Universal Songs Of PolyGram International, Inc./Dick James Music, Inc./Coloasseum Music LTD/Cotillion Music, Inc./Fede Yon Music, administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)/Veinte Tres Music/Cold Rock Publishing (ASCAP). ΓÇ£Mad FlavaΓÇ¥ written by N. Cook; courtesy of Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP). ΓÇ£Sunset (Bird Of PreyΓÇ¥ written by N. Cook, J. Morrison, J. Densmore, R. Manzarek, R. Krieger; courtesy of Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc./Doors Music Co. (ASCAP)/James Douglas Morrison Music.
