Connected (Stereo MCs album)

Connected
Studio album by Stereo MCs
Released	5 October 1992
Genre	Acid jazz, alternative hip hop, trip hop
Length	56:10
Label	Fourth & Broadway/Island/PolyGram Records 512 743
Producer	Stereo MCs, Veronica Davis, Andrea Groves
Stereo MCs chronology
Supernatural (1990) Connected (1992) DJ Kicks (2000)
Singles from Connected
"Connected" Released: 14 September 1992 "Step It Up" Released: 23 November 1992 "Ground Level" Released: 8 February 1993 "Creation" Released: 17 May 1993

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	link
Robert Christgau	B–[1]

Connected is a 1992 album by Stereo MCs. The tracks "Connected", "Ground Level", "Step It Up" and "Creation" became hit singles.

Critical reception

In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau said that, although its music is amiable and rhythmic, Connected is also "so multifaceted that its functionality is fungible and forgettable."^[1] In 2000 Q magazine placed Connected at number 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.^[2]

Track listing

All songs written by Robert Birch (Rob B)/Nicholas Hallam (The Head), except as noted

1. "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.
2. "Ground Level" – 4:13
3. "Everything" (Birch/Hallam/James L. Worthy) – 3:47
4. "Sketch" (Birch/Hallam/Tuzé DeAbreu)– 5:44
   • Contains a sample of "Passarinho" by Gal Costa.
5. "Fade Away" – 4:25
6. "All Night Long" – 4:07
7. "Step It Up" – 4:59
8. "Playing With Fire" – 4:20
   • Contains a sample of "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" by Pet Shop Boys.
9. "Pressure" – 3:50
10. "Chicken Shake" – 3:50
11. "Creation" – 5:03
12. "Don't Let Up" (feat. Mica Paris)^[3] – 3:09
13. "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
• Chicu Modu: Sax
• Ivan Hussey, Johnny T., Anya Ulman: Strings
• Kick Horns: Brass

Singles

• "Connected" (#18 in the UK, 14 September 1992)
• "Step It Up" (#12 in the UK, 23 November 1992)
• "Ground Level" (#19 in the UK, 8 February 1993)
• "Creation" (#19 in UK, 17 May 1993)

Audio sample

	The Stereo MCs - Connected excerpt An excerpt from Connected
Problems playing this file? See media help.

References

1. Christgau, Robert (23 November 1993). "Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
2. Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
3. "Stereo MC's – Connected". Discogs. Retrieved 19 March 2013.