This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
The perfect simple machine has a minimum number of parts, which align and work together smoothly without overlap to produce a desired effect. In the world of electronic hip-hop, Finnish trio Pepe Deluxe may be the perfect musical machine.
The parts: One (1) record collector to supply the raw material; one (1) sampling whiz to separate the useful bits from the dross; and one (1) DJ to reassemble the parts into artistic new combinations. Think of their tightly constructed debut disc Super Sounds as their first catalog. Choose from the spaced-out blaxploitation soul of Beat Experience, the Mobyish slide-guitar blues of Everybody Pass Me By, the organ-grinding chicken-picking funk of Maddaddy, the jazzy bass ’n’ whistling of Big Muff or the robotic dancehall grooves of Super Sound. No matter what you pick, the effect produced is pure chewing satisfaction, accompanied by a sudden desire to throw your hands in the air and wave ’em like you just don’t care. It’s so simple it’s brilliant.
