'Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars'

Fatboy Slim releases third album

Fatboy Slim's creations can be heard everywhere: movie soundtracks, television commericals and his new CD, "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars"

By Adam Kluger
CNN Producer

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, is back, this time with "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars," released earlier this month.

It's been an eagerly anticipated work, because the 37-year-old British disc jockey is one of the most sought-after music producers around. His songs have been featured in films ranging from "Charlie's Angels" to "10 Things I Hate About You" to "Cruel Intentions."

He's equally popular on Madison Avenue, too. Nike, Oldsmobile and other advertisers have turned to his catchy hooks to move their products.

On the personal front, Fatboy Slim recently married Zoe Ball, a British radio personality. The happy couple has a baby on the way.

	AUDIO
Fatboy Slim's 'Sunset (Bird of Prey),' from 'Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars' (astralwerks records) WAV sound

Small wonder, then, that he was all smiles here at a recent party celebrating the release of his latest album, which features a voice truly from the past: that of the late Jim Morrison of the Doors.

CNN: "Sunset (Bird of Prey)" is the first video single for the new album, and it features Jim Morrison. How did that happen?

Fatboy Slim: It was (from) the outtakes to an ... album, and most of it's just poetry, but in the middle of it he just sung these three lines. And since I heard them I just thought, "Oh, that sounds like a song waiting to be made."

CNN: How is your new album different from the last two?

Fatboy Slim: Well, the main difference is actually working with live singers ... The new discipline on this album is actually working with live musicians and sitting there with them and doing it."

CNN: How does having live singers like Macy Gray on this album change the sound?

Fatboy Slim: It kicks it into a more soulful vibe.

Superstar DJ Fatboy Slim spins records at his CD release party in New York City

CNN: As DJ, do you find that the new technology has turned you into a mixologist of sorts?

Fatboy Slim: When I DJ, it's kind of honest to goodness, two turntables and a mixer. For me, the whole point of being a DJ is like you are totally flexible, because you are just playing records. You can react to the crowd. You don't have to play your own songs all night; you can play everybody's.

CNN: When you are creating an album like this what goes through your mind? Take us through the creative process.

Fatboy Slim: It's ... working with samplers, and being a DJ putting beats together is no problem whatsoever. It's finding that hookline that drives the song and works -- so, from my point of view, the hook has to come first. Then you got to find the music to fit it. And then the last thing that happens is the drum beat.

Fatboy Slim: Better living through DJing
May 9, 2000
DJs rise from party-spinners to superstars
May 5, 2000

astralwerks records
Fatboy Slim

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