Fatboy Slim makes a great role model as Southern Fried Records reach milestone

EVERYONE loves Fatboy Slim, a multi talented home grown chameleon of dance music and a treasured UK house ambassador.

Whilst Norman Cook defines what it means to be a household name, his Southern Fried Records imprint has co-existed somewhat under the radar in comparison, yet few labels have stood the test of time quite like them and they  have just released their 500th single with a party at Akasha, Ibiza this week.

The new track Role Model, written with Dan Diamond and Luca Guerrieri welcomes back the label head himself and is his first original piece of music this year.

Founded by Norman Cook and Garry Blackburn in 1994 as an outlet to release tracks under Norman’s Might Dub Katz alias, the label’s first ever release was ‘Super Disco Brakes Vol, followed by early releases from Space Cowboy, Kurtis Mantronix and Scanty Sandwich, before achieving huge success with Ashley Beedle’sremix for Elton John’s ‘Are You Ready For Love’ which was a No.1 record, and Armand Van Helden’s’ My My My’ and ‘I Want Your Soul’.

Southern Fried Records has served as a springboard platform for artists over the years including Maribou State, Crookers, Eats Everything and The Black Ghosts. Championing new talent is an ethos Norman has been keen to develop, with the three new label acts toinclude Meg Ward, Van Damn and Sam Girling. 

We caught up with Fatboy this week and he talked us through 10 essential records from Southern Fried including no1 smash hit Sir Elton. Listen to the music and read what he had to say about the tracks below and find out above why Elton and Ian Brown were an inspiration behind The Night Bazaar Music Show this month.

FATBOY SLIM’S 10 ESSENTIAL TRACKS FROM SOUTHERN FRIEND RECORDS

Elton John – Are You Ready For Love (2003)

This was our biggest hit, which took the UK No.1 spot in the charts. The 1979 original was released alongside 3 remixes / versions from Linus Loves, Mylo and Ashley Beedle. It was a huge triumph turning an unnoticed gem into the hit it deserved to be. We were most happy to have Sir Elton on the SFR roster.

Scanty Sandwich – Because Of You (2000)

The perfect way to have a hit…..to hear a friend drop a tune into his DJ set and asking if it was unreleased, and how we could get the rights to it, I then had this track signed to the label. After we put this out it entered the pop charts, which is an A&R fairy tale. 

Markus Nikolai – Bushes (2004)

Another record I heard, loved and managed to sign eventually. We had a journey with this one, as we lost Markus’s music many times to other labels. I still think this beguiling tune is underrated. We wanted Kylie to cover it.

Kurtis Mantronik – How Did You Know (77 strings) (2003)

The anthem of the big beach boutique, this had to be on my label. Kurtis was a legend to us as a producer, so it was a thrill and a pleasure to work with him on this.

Caged Baby – Hello There (Radio Slave Remix) (2005)

Tom Gandey was a stalwart of the label and a great personal friend of mine. He is integral to the Southern Fried story and my only regret is that I didn’t manage to make him a household name. His talent and knowledge of music is limitless. Matt Edwards pulled off a timeless mix on this one.

Meg Ward – Check (2024)

A nod to the new young talent on the label’s roster. Meg is one of the new rising talents that will hopefully take Southern Fried into the next decade.

Armand van Helden – I Want Your Soul (2007)

The history of the label would not be complete without a nod to friend and sparring partner, The Witch Doktor himself. After playing his tunes to DJing with him, to signing him, and then the label to taking him to No.1 in the UK charts is an adventure that warmed my soul. Armand helped shape and define the label, sharp cutting edge ground breaking production mixed with style and humour equals hit records. For the trainspotters, yes, the video for ‘my my my’ was filmed in my house.

Mighty Dub Katz – Just Another Groove (1997)

The Dub Katz was how the label started. When I made records that were too stupid for any other labels to release, my manager Garry and I would just press it up ourselves and sell 12” singles from a van. This was one of those records. No other label would put it out, so we released it ourselves and a record label was born.

Percy Filth – Show Me Your Monkey (2002)

This was the first Southern Fried record that came from our newly appointed A&R department rather than through me, I still remember the joy of Nathan Thursting bringing this round my house and suggesting we pick it up. It had all the qualities we loved… dirty, mischievous, simple and catchy as hell. Still sounds great today.

Red – Release The Pressure (Fatboy Slim Remix) (2005)

There was a time when many Southern Fried releases had an obligatory remix by me, and this sits in that category. I’m still very proud of this mix for pushing the envelope of dirty electro with a catchy hook.