Various Artists - Wired (New Directions In Dance)

Released in 1997 by PolyGram TV, Wired (New Directions in Dance) is a definitive 2-CD compilation that captures the peak of the UK’s electronic and "Big Beat" movement. The album is lauded for its high-energy curation, featuring 35 tracks from the era's most influential heavyweights, including The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, and Leftfield. Rather than sticking to a single niche, it successfully bridges the gap between mainstream chart-toppers and the gritty, harder-edged sounds of the underground club scene, making it a polished time capsule of late-90s dance culture.

The compilation is particularly praised for its pacing and diversity, blending high-octane anthems like "Breathe" and "Leave Home" with sophisticated downtempo and trip-hop contributions from artists like Massive Attack and Morcheeba. By including essential remixes—such as Danny Saber's take on Garbage—alongside genre-defining techno and drum and bass tracks, Wired remains a highly-regarded "car stereo" classic. For listeners, it offers a seamless flow that encapsulates the optimistic, experimental spirit of a time when electronic music was rapidly evolving into a global phenomenon.

Wired (New Directions in Dance), a 2-CD compilation released in 1997 by PolyGram TV, serves as a high-octane archive of the UK’s electronic and "Big Beat" era. Spanning 35 tracks, the album expertly bridges the gap between mainstream chart-toppers and the grittier, experimental edges of underground club culture. It captures a specific moment when dance music was rapidly evolving into a global phenomenon, balancing accessible anthems with sophisticated production.

The first disc is a relentless showcase of high-energy "heavyweights," opening with the raved-up electropunk of The Prodigy's "Breathe" (Single Edit) and the "monster" bass-heavy "Leave Home" by The Chemical Brothers. It maintains this momentum with "juddering" tracks like Fluke’s "Atom Bomb" and the confrontational vocals of CJ Bolland’s "Sugar is Sweeter". Highlights include definitive remixes, such as the Dust Brothers' take on Manic Street Preachers and Danny Saber's remix of Garbage's "Stupid Girl," which help define the album's polished, "car stereo" appeal.

In contrast, the second disc explores more diverse and atmospheric terrain, featuring influential downtempo and trip-hop acts like Massive Attack and Sneaker Pimps. It incorporates legendary indie-dance crossovers, including The Stone Roses’ "Fool’s Gold" and New Order’s "Blue Monday" (Hardfloor Mix), demonstrating how electronic textures were reshaping traditional alternative music. This breadth ensures that the compilation is more than just a collection of hits; it is a carefully paced journey through the various "new directions" that were emerging in the late 90s.

Ultimately, Wired remains highly regarded for its curation and flow, often cited as a classic example of the era's high-quality TV-marketed compilations. By distilling sprawling 9-minute album tracks into "cracking" radio edits—like Underworld’s "Pearl’s Girl"—it provides a succinct yet powerful distillation of a pivotal decade. For fans of the genre, it remains a definitive time capsule that perfectly reflects the optimistic and boundary-pushing spirit of 1997.

Ripped to MP3

Disc 1

Focuses on high-energy Big Beat and Techno anthems, featuring tracks from The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Fluke, CJ Bolland, Manic Street Preachers (Dust Brothers Mix), Garbage (Danny Sabre Remix), Underworld, The Grid, Orbital, Lionrock, Death in Vegas, New Order (Hardfloor Mix), Chicane, Grace, Goldie, and Alex Reece.

Disc 2

Features more Trip-Hop, Downtempo, and alternative dance-cross-over tracks, featuring tracks from Garbage (Wicked Mix), Sneaker Pimps, Morcheeba, Massive Attack, Everything But The Girl, The Aloof, Booth and the Bad Angel, Leftfield, The Orb, Archive, Dubstar, The Stone Roses, Pulp (Remix), The Beloved, Dreadzone, Electronic (12" Remix), 808 State, and The Shamen.