Who knew that the Finns could be so funky? SUPER SOUND, the debut by Pepe Deluxe, gets the party going and doesn't really let up with the samplitude. The aching vocal snippet from Nina Simone on "Woman in Blue" manages to be both upbeat and slightly sad. The beats seem to be larger than life, but they never overshadow the songs themselves. Listen to how they complement the soporific voice on "The Beat Experience" or the faux-Western cutting and scratching of "The Ride." There's a definite sense of play on this album. Who else would give Delta blues the beatdown on the amazing "Everybody Pass Me By"? The range on the album is impressive as well: the dark and nightmarish "Thru the Motion" is followed by the tender and melancholy "La Femme" (another standout). And if "Maddaddy" doesn't make you want to go out and buy records, something's wrong. And the final track, Sonorous Star's languorous remix of "Woman in Black" which goes a more pensive route. While the rest of the album is pure party funk (and great party funk at that), the last track lets you cool your heels some.