Fatboy Slim

Signature Series, Vol. 1: Greatest Remixes is a ten-track collection of Norman Cook postproductions, though the claim in the title is doubtful, considering Cornershop's "Brimful of Asha" and the Beastie Boys' "Body Movin'" are nowhere to be found. Still, the ones that are here are excellent; Cook's production skills are impeccable, and his knack for both a cleverly tweaked, oddball old-school sample and an irresistible groove are displayed to even better effect than on his original albums. Most of the inclusions here originally came from the dance community -- the licensing fees are always cheaper -- and though it's more of a budget-label cash-in than anything else, it turns out well. Highlights include remixes of Stretch'n'Vern's "Get Up! Go Insane!," Christopher Just's "I'm a Disco Dancer (And a Sweet Romancer)," Wildchild's "Renegade Master" (originally by the late Roger McKenzie, a friend of Cook's), and the surprisingly midtempo "E.V.A." by tape-music pioneer Jean-Jacques Perrey. Over the course of ten tracks, Cook's tricks of the trade pop up just a bit too often to make for a solid listen, but fans and collectors alike will enjoy Signature Series, Vol. 1: Greatest Remixes. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide