SWEET – New York Connection [Remastered Reissue +4 bonus] (2025), MP3+FLAC

SWEET – one of the most legendary, influential, and enduring names in the history of rock music – will re-release an updated remastered version of their 2012 studio album ”New York Connection” on April 18th via Metalville Records. This CD version (featured in exclusive at 0dayrox) also includes four bonus tracks not included on the original release.

”New York Connection +4” is a selection of tracks originally written by other artists, which Sweet have given their own distinctive sound. “As well as a decent selection of must-haves, we’ve also added guitar riffs, drum beats, or vocal lines from our own classics where appropriate,” says founder Andy Scott.
For example, the guitar line from Sweet’s “Burn On The Flame” was incorporated into “It’s All Moving Faster,” while “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones contains elements of Sweet’s classic “The Ballroom Blitz.”
Of particular note is the fusion of Russ Ballard’s “New York Groove” (previously covered by both Hello and former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley) with Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind.” When you read it, you might not believe it… but it works!

It’s not the first time that we see cult rock figures breaking radio silence by releasing some kind of a cover selection, but rarely has a band resurfaced with as much diversity as shown on “New York Connection”, the mind puzzling and eyebrow raising comeback effort from ’70s glam rock icons, The Sweet.

Combining the lipstick and glitter romp of “New York Groove” with the breathless urgency of “Blitzkrieg Bop”, and throwing in a dash of lucidly accessible rock poetry with Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” this definitely is an interesting draft of songs.
Even the most surprising choice for a band of such reputation, the charts topper “Empire of State Mind” cleverly implemented in the album opener, works remarkably well. The list of odd choices doesn’t end here. Who would it thought The Sweet would ever dare tackling Yardbirds’ “Shape of Things”, not to mention “You Spin Me Round” of the 80s disco pop outfit Dead of Alive, both proving to be bouncily enjoyable.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with takes on “New York Connection”, “All Moving Faster” or “Sweet Jane”, that is if you’re not too picky. Pete Lincoln’s silk cushioned voice is to be heard on 8 of 11 cuts, making them catchy rock offerings in their own right.
Fun stuff! Highly Recommended

01 – New York Groove / Empire State of Mind (Hello / Ace Frehley / Jay-Z)
02 – Gold On The Ceiling (Black Keys)
03 – All Moving Faster (Electric Frankenstein)
04 – New York Connection (Sweet)
05 – Shapes Of Things (Yardbirds)
06 – You Spin Me Round (Dead Or Alive)
07 – Because The Night (P. Smith)
08 – Sweet Jane (Velvet Underground)
09 – Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones)
10 – On Broadway (George Benson)
11 – Join Together (The Who)
BONUS TRACKS:
12 – All Moving Faster (PDQ Mix)
13 – Join Together (Original TV Mix)
14 – New York Groove (Acoustic)
15 – You Spin Me Round (Live at Sweden Rock 2013)

Pete Lincoln – bass / all lead vocals
Andy Scott – guitars / lead vocal on track 8
Bruce Bisland – drums / lead vocal on track 9
Tony O’Hora – Keyboards / lead vocal on track 7

MP3 FLAC