Connected is the third studio album by Stereo MC's. The tracks "Connected", "Ground Level", "Step It Up" and "Creation" became hit singles.
Critical reception
In a contemporary review, James Muretich from Calgary Herald said that "the hour-long program does wear a wee thin but, hey, while the groove-mood lasts, it`s a blast". Music critic Robert Christgau for The Village Voice, wrote that, although its music is amiable and rhythmic, Connected is also "so multifaceted that its functionality is fungible and forgettable." In June 2000, Q placed Connected as #52 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. The album won Best British Album at the 1994 Brit Awards, was shortlisted for the 1993 Mercury Prize, and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Track listing All songs written by Robert Birch (Rob B)/Nicholas Hallam (The Head), except where noted "Connected" (Birch/Hallam/H.W. Casey/Richard Finch) – 5:14 Contains a sample from "Let Me (Let Me Be Your Lover)" by Jimmy "Bo" Horne. "Ground Level" – 4:13 "Everything" (Birch/Hallam/James L. Worthy) – 3:47 "Sketch" (Birch/Hallam/Tuzé DeAbreu) – 5:44 Contains a sample of "Passarinho" by Gal Costa. "Fade Away" – 4:25 "All Night Long" – 4:07 "Step It Up" – 4:59 "Playing With Fire" – 4:20 Uses the piano progression from the introduction to Monkey Man on Let it Bleed by the Rolling Stones Contains a sample of "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" by Pet Shop Boys. "Pressure" – 3:50 "Chicken Shake" – 3:50 "Creation" – 5:03 "Don't Let Up" (feat. Mica Paris) – 3:09 "The End" (Birch/Hallum/Carole King/Toni Stern) – 3:47
Personnel Stereo MCs Robert Charles "Rob B." Birch – vocals Nick "The Head" Hallam – DJ Ian Frederick "Owen If" Rossiter – drums, percussion Cath Coffey – backing vocals
Additional personnel James Hallawell – keyboards, organ Paul O. Kane, Matthew Seligman – bass guitar Chicu Modu – saxophone Ivan Hussey, Johnny T., Anya Ulman, Laura Cochrane – strings Kick Horns – brass
Singles "Connected" (#18 in the United Kingdom, 14 September 1992) "Step It Up" (#12 in the United Kingdom, 23 November 1992) "Ground Level" (#19 in the United Kingdom, 8 February 1993) "Creation" (#19 in United Kingdom, 17 May 1993)
Charts + Chart performance for Connected Chart (1992–1993) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 86
Chart (2026) Peakposition Greek Albums (IFPI) 57
Certifications and sales
References