Steppin' Out (Cleopatra album)

Steppin' Out is the second studio album by British girl group Cleopatra, released on 22 August 2000 by WEA in the majority of the world and Maverick Records in the United States.[6]

Steppin' Out
European cover
Studio album by Cleopatra
Released	22 August 2000
Recorded	1999–2000
Label	WEA Maverick
Producer	Jam & Lewis Stargate Dallas Austin Daryl Simmons
Cleopatra chronology
Comin' Atcha! (1998) Steppin' Out (2000)
Alternative cover
US and Japanese cover

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Billboard	(favourable)[2]
MTV	(favourable)[3]
PopMatters	(favourable)[4]
Vibe	(favourable)[5]

Overview

Cleo Higgins served was the main songwriter on the album, which was also co-written by her bandmates. As well the album features production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin and Stargate.[6]

Recording and production

After the success of their debut Comin' Atcha! and gaining attention in the US, including a Top 40 entry for "Cleopatra's Theme", the girls entered the studio to start work on their then-untitled second album. The girls decided the direction of this album would be R&B and not pop like their first album. Cleo again was the main songwriter, having penned the entire first album with her sister and bandmates credited as co-writers.

Employing a variety of production teams including Cutfather & Joe, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Stargate and bass guitarist and background vocalist Debra Killings, the album was recorded across the US and UK as well as in Norway and Denmark.

Cover artwork

Photography duo Markus and Indrani, best known for their work with Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, were brought in to shoot the album artwork.

Reaction

Upon release, the album earned favourable reviews from critics.[1][2][3][4][5] The lead single from the album, "Come and Get Me", reached No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart.[1][7]

Track listing

1. "Press Here to Start"
2. "Come and Get Me"
3. "U Got It"
4. "Sweat Me"
5. "Who's Your Woman"
6. "Nobody Said"
7. "Number One Fan"
8. "Voo-Doo"
9. "Yes, This Party's Going Right"
10. "You Can't Be in My Life"
11. "Bingo My Love"
12. "Questions and Jealousy"
13. "Take Me Now (Stop, Stop...)"[6]

US version

1. "Press Here to Start"
2. "U Got It"
3. "Take Me Now (Stop, Stop...)"
4. "Sweat Me"
5. "Nobody Said"
6. "Come and Get Me"
7. "Questions and Jealousy"
8. "Who's Your Woman"
9. "Bingo My Love"
10. "Voo-Doo"
11. "Yes, This Party's Going Right"[6]

Bonus tracks

• "All Talk No Action" (Japanese release)[6]

Credits

Cleopatra Higgins: Lead vocals Zainam Higgins: Backing vocals Yonah Higgins: Backing vocals Christine Higgins: Backing vocals Jimmy Jam: Arranger, producer Terry Lewis: Arranger, producer Debra Killings: Producer Daryl Simmons: Keyboards, programming, producer, vocals (Background) Che Guevara: Producer Markus Klinko and Indrani: Photography Kenneth Hayes: Producer Xavier Smith: Assistant engineer Ivy Skoff: Production coordination Bradley Yost: Assistant engineer James Poyser: Producer Warren Riker: Mixing Kim Biggs: Package design Joe Belmaati Keyboards, programming

Michael Norfleet: Keyboards, programming Andrea Wright: Engineer Lee Monteverde: Engineer Vernon Mungo: Assistant engineer Bradley Spalter: Keyboards, programming David Harlan: Package design Tue Roh: Fender Rhodes Stargate: Producer Amy Foster: Creative director Tim Scrafton: Producer Adam Kagan: Keyboards, engineer, programming John Horesco IV: Engineer, mixing Dorian Daniels: Bass, keyboards, programming Leslie Brathwaite: Mixing Rob Chiarelli: Mixing Steve Hodge: Engineer, mixing Kevin Lively: Assistant engineer

References

1. "Cleopatra: Steppin' Out". Allmusic.com.
2. "Cleopatra: Steppin' Out". billboard.com. 26 August 2000.
3. "RUFF ENDZ, JESSICA, CLEOPATRA COMING TO STORES". mtv.com.
4. "Cleopatra: Steppin' Out". popmatters.com.
5. "Cleopatra: Steppin' Out". vibe.com. October 2000.
6. Cleopatra: Steppin' Out. WEA/Maverick Records. August 2000.
7. "Cleopatra". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.