FATBOY Slim returns to the turntable this autumn with a new single, album and eight October dates.

Norman Cook, who swapped Hull and The Housemartins' perky pop for the Brighton dance culture and Fatboy pseudonym, will visit the Octagon, Sheffield University, on October 14 and Leeds University on October 22 on his A One Way Ticket To Palookaville Tour.

Palookaville, the album that gives the tour its title, will be released on October 4 on the Skint label, preceded by the single Slash Dot Dash on September 13.

This was always Norman's choice for first single: it is the biggest and dumbest track off the album, built on repetitive samples and monstrous guitars.

"Slash Dot Dash is a mix of old and new Fatboy," he says.

"There is repetition but this time the track actually has live guitars. The plan was to throw in a bit of Buzzcocks and The White Stripes.

"The track is just a comment on this new language people seem to have, although I don't even own a computer. Well I do, the Atari in my studio, but no one ever sent me an e-mail on that."

The various formats for the single incorporate a wealth of "beats and pieces". Dancefloor cut Jin Go Lo Ba, from the album, is featured alongside a remix from Jon Carter; Close To Home, Norman's music for the O2 advert; the exclusive B side What They Looking For; an a cappella version of Slash Dot Dash; and the Slash Dot Dash video.

Fatboy Slim's videos have become an industry benchmark, and this time the video finds veteran video director Tim Pope working on his first music project for nearly ten years (fresh from scooping the lifetime achievement award at Music Week's CADS awards).

Palookaville will be boosted by vocal contributions from Blur's Damon Albarn, Lateef from Latryx, Bootsy Collins, Justin Robertson and Brighton band Jonny Quality.

In the excitement of Fatboy Slim's return, one landmark should not be overlooked: Slash Dot Dash will be the 100th single release from Brighton independent label Skint.

Updated: 15:12 Thursday, August 19, 2004