Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) is back with his latest project The Brighton Port Authority, or The BPA. The liner notes give a funny, fictional account about the music on this disc and how it came to pass. Norman Cook stretches out on The BPA by utilizing different vocalists on each of the 12 tracks.
What's the result? Well, a mix between Fatboy Slim and each vocalist, really. I only knew a few of the vocalists such as Iggy Pop on a brilliant cover of The Monochrome Set's 1983 song "He's Frank (Slight Return)". David Byrne on "Toe Jam", Pete York on "Dirty Sheets" and Martha Wainwright on "Spade". New to me are Connan Mockasin from New Zealan on "Jumps The Fence", Ashley Beedle a DJ from England on "Should I Stay Or Should I Blow", Justin Robertson a DJ from England on "Island", English singer/songwriter Jamie T on "Local Town", English singer/songwriter Emmy The Great on "Seattle", English engineer/producer Simon Thornton (who also produces this cd with Norman Cook) on "Superman", remixer Cagedbaby on "Superlover" and someone named Olly Hite on the excellent cover of Nick Lowe's 1978 classic "So It Goes" from the "Jesus of Cool" album.
The BPA really starts 2009 with a bang, with most songs being very catchy and above average in terms of melodies and quirky, funny, memorable lyrics. A great idea, in other words! I hope Norman Cook and Simon Thornton do a second BPA album with 12 more singers.
My choice selections are "He's Frank (Slight Return)", "Should I Stay Or Should I Blow", "Island", "Local Town", "Seattle", "Spade", "Toe Jam" and "So It Goes".
I am glad I got my copy early thanks to its exclusiveness. The wide release date is February 3rd, 2009. If you are a Fatboy Slim fan, you should check this out, you will not be disappointed.