It was the golden age of trip hop. And The Sneaker Pimps benefited quite a bit from the attention American club DJs were paying to this new British dance music scene, with the release of their début album Becoming X, out 17 years ago today. What they themselves would become is a staple of clubs and even some radio, and a new favorite of remixers everywhere. Founders Liam Howe and Chris Corner (best known these days as IAMX) were the musical architects, but it was the soulful vocals of Kelli Dayton that made songs like “6 Underground” and “Spin Spin Sugar” such hits. She only lasted the one album before Chris took over the mic, but that’s fine. Becoming X remains the Sneaker Pimps’ singular classic album.
– Liisa Ladouceur
