From behind the turntables to the Housemartins and back again – Norman Cook talks about remixes and the gear and politics behind them. Interview by Tim Goodyer

Norman Cook is a busy man. To date his remixing credits include The Jacksons’ ‘I Want You Back’, Eric B & Rakim’s ‘I Know You Got Soul’, Jame Brown’s ‘She’s the One’ and Kid ‘ N Play’s ‘Do This My Way’. He’s just fïnished another James Brown remix, ‘It Began in Africa’, and is currently lining up some work with the Wee Papa Girl Rappers. Not bad for a Housemartin.

Taking four years off from being a club DJ and remixer to become a pop star may sound like an odd twist to a career in music. Yet this is Norman Cook’s story: originally a popular Brighton DJ, recently bass player with the Housemartins, now a much-in-demand remixer.

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