Monday, September 30, 2013

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "PEPPERMINT" - Julio Bashmore feat. Jessie Ware


The amazingly versatile Jessie Ware finds herself back in the clubland on this stomper of a house collaboration with Julio Bashmore, perhaps returning the favour for his production on her eminent single "Imagine It Was Us" earlier on this year. This one's going to be big! Bashmore's debut album is out next year via Broadwalk Records.

Peppermint by juliobashmoremusic

Friday, September 27, 2013

CHOON OF THE DAY: "THE SWEETEST THING" - Lulu James


I love pretty much everything about "The Sweetest Thing". Lulu James' smoky voice, the perfect melody reminiscing some of the most memorable UK soul moments of the 1990's (Mica Paris anyone?) and the fact how consistently and excitingly the artist builds up the anticipation of her full album which I know myself I absolutely cannot wait for! "Closer", "Step by Step" and now "The Sweetest Thing". 3 out of 3 so far and counting!



Sweetest Thing by Lulu James

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "L'AMOUR NAISSANT" /// "LA RITOURNELLE" - Sébastien Tellier


So it looks like "La Ritournelle", one of the most defining tracks of the noughties, a sonic odyssey by Sébastien Tellier now has a baby sister. "L'Amour Nassant" announces the release of the French pop wizard's brand new LP "Confection" out 14th October en France and 8th November worldwide. The elegant black & white video for this piano and string-laden jewel of a song was directed by the legendary Jean-Baptiste Mondino. It's always such a thrill to hear new music from Monsieur Tellier.





Tuesday, September 24, 2013

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "WONDERHOW" /// "CRUEL" - Germans


Germans are actually based in Brooklyn. Julia Kwamya and Kurt Feldman compose the sweetest slow disco jams, pop break-up songs, balearic ditties and vintage grooves. This sound is right up my alley and will from now on become a guaranteed antidote to any moody day I might encounter. Listening to these two blithesome tracks one is not surprised anymore to notice David Bowie, Level 42, Sade, Empress Of and Local Natives among their influences. Blissful self-released sounds.

Wonderhow by Germans

Cruel by Germans

Monday, September 23, 2013

SHREM'S ÜBER-SUBJECTIVE TOP 200 BEST SINGLES OF ALL TIME 10 - 1

10 "PASS THIS ON" - The Knife (2005)



09 "UNFINISHED SYMPATHY" - Massive Attack feat. Shara Nelson (1991)



08 "VIOLENTLY HAPPY" - Björk (1994)



07 "EROTICA" - Madonna (1992)

Madonna - Erotica (Uncensored) from M-U-S-I-C on Vimeo.

06 "RECKLESS (WITH YOUR LOVE)" - Azari & III (2009)

Azari & III - Reckless (With Your Love) by Turbo Recordings



05 "PURE PLEASURE SEEKER" - Moloko (2000)



04 "PEEK-A-BOO" - Siouxsie & The Banshees (1988)



03 "GROOVE IS IN THE HEART" - Deee-Lite (1990)



02 "BEDTIME STORY" - Madonna (1995)



01 "BACK TO LIFE (HOWEVER DO YOU WANT ME)" - Soul II Soul feat. Caron Wheeler (1989)



SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "DJ WAKE UP" - Jolie Chérie + Remixes


Those of you who happen to be regular readers of my carousel would know by know that I have a rather soft spot for Jolie Chérie, one of my personal favourite French dance scene acts of the past few years. I have already been praising their latest superb offering "Dj Wake Up" but now that we're approaching its global release (15th October) we've also received this hilarious 90's rave montage video. The remixes are all rather juicy particularly the one by Mauvais Cliché which is an explosion of uplifting house vibes. Voilà!



Jolie Cherie - "DJ Wake Up" by OpusLabel

Sunday, September 22, 2013

CHOON OF THE DAY: "THE MOVEMENT SONG" - Joy Wellboy


"Yorokobi's Mantra" is the title of a debut album from Brussels based duo Joy Wellboy. "The Movement Song" was an instant favourite when I listened to this eclectic record for the first time. A track amalgamating slick electronic production with a melody worthy of a synth-pop classic tag, while throwing in some cosy familiar trip-hop elements too. Another extraordinary to come out of Belgium in the most recent months.

THE MOVEMENT SONG by JOY WELLBOY



Thursday, September 19, 2013

SHREM'S TRIP-HOP RETROSPECTIVE: "BLUEPRINT" - Attica Blues


ARTIST: Attica Blues
TITLE: "Blueprint" + Attica Blues Remix
RELEASE DATE: 1995
LABEL: Mo Wax
LOCATION: London
ALBUM: "Attica Blues"





SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "LOVERS IN THE PARKING LOT" - Solange


So Solange has just dropped the official video for my favourite song taken off her sumptuous EP "True" which is a collaborative effort between herself and the one and only Devonté-Blood Orange-Hynes. This song is a pure pop perfection, among the finest tracks in years big time.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "CHAMAKAY" - Blood Orange /// "OVER YOUR SHOULDER" - Chromeo


Two long-anticipated singles hugely influenced by 1980's have emerged this week. First of all the incredibly talented Devonté Hynes, better known as Blood Orange, released his smooth piece of oldschool flavoured funk pop "Chamakay" featuring one of his female muses Caroline Polachek from Chairlift (although have I almost immediately mistaken her for Solange). This is the first teaser from Blood Orange's new album "Cupid Deluxe" and it does sound rather delicious and promising. Then we have the Canadian heroes of funk Chromeo and their disco answer to Daft Punk's more-than-tiring-at-this-stage "Get Lucky". Sleek production, summery vibe and instantly catchy melody pretty much guarantees this come-back single a total success. Sunny grooves.



Over Your Shoulder by Chromeo



Monday, September 16, 2013

SHREM'S ÜBER-SUBJECTIVE TOP 200 BEST SINGLES OF ALL TIME 20 - 11

20 "SUGAR WATER" - Cibo Matto (1996)



19 "LOVE IS A STRANGER" - Eurythmics (1982)



18 "I WROTE THE BOOK" - Beth Ditto (2011)



17 "BIG FUN" - Inner City (1988)



16 "SLY" - Massive Attack feat. Nicolette (1994)



15 "CLOWN" - SSION (2008)



14 "VOGUE" - Madonna (1990)



13 "OVER" - Gus Gus (2011)



12 "THE TIME IS NOW" - Moloko (2000)



11 "JUSTIFY MY LOVE" - Madonna (1990)



CHOON OF THE DAY: "AT YOUR BEST/FAST LOVE" - MNEK


No one, I repeat no one does re-fixes of songs as deliciously as MNEK! This time around, the velvet voiced singer took on Aaliyah's cover of the Isley Brothers' classic "At Your Best" and George Michael's Patrice Rushen sampling "Fast Love" and re-interpreted them together to an astonishing effect. I am such a huge fan of this super-talented kid! Boy can he sing!!!

AT YOUR BEST x FASTLOVE (AALIYAH x GEORGE MICHAEL REFIX) by MNEK

And here are the originals:





Saturday, September 14, 2013

SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "PAPI PACIFY" - FKA Twigs


What a song to wake up to on a Saturday morning. I have been utterly blown-away by the enigmatic FKA Twigs for a few weeks at this stage, listening to "Water Me" quite obsessively... We're treated to another fascinating song today by this half Spanish half Jamaican musical mystery, also produced by Arca. "Papi Pacify" is a futuristic medley of alternative R'N'B and electronica accompanied by another sophisticated video. The EP#2 is out on Monday. I have recently read in the Bullett Magazine that FKA Twigs is what would happen "if TLC met Aphex Twin at a psy-trance carnival and had a kid in deep slow motion". I could never dare to try to top this comparison. This year's most original music act by a long mile. Exuberant.



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

SHREM'S ACADEMY OF ALL TIME BEST SINGLES: "RECKLESS" - Afrika Bambaataa and Family feat. UB40


RELEASE DATE: 1988
CHART PEAK: NED #5, NZ #13, UK #17, IRE #19



SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "ELECTRIC LADY" [feat. Solange] + "PRIME TIME" [feat. Miguel] - Janelle Monáe


So Janelle Monáe's 2nd album is out. It's an explosion of quality funk and soul with a multi-colourful avalanche of collaborators and guests: Erykah Badu, Miguel, Solange, Prince to name just a few. The title track featuring Miss Knowles is an instant and definite winner on the album, closely followed by an astonishing duet with Esperanza Spalding. You can also enjoy "Prime Time", a rather sexy slow jam with the ubiquitous Miguel. Hearing Monáe's formidable debut concept album "The ArchAndroid" and catching her live a couple of times, I just knew there were things even bigger and more stunning ahead for this very talented young lady.



PrimeTime - Janelle Monae ft. Miguel by Studio43

And in case you missed it, here's Miss Janelle's latest video for the impossibly catchy "Dance Apocalyptic":



Monday, September 9, 2013

SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "THE WARDEN" - Chelsea Wolfe


Every now and then I am blessed to discover something magnificent I wouldn't normally come across at all if it wasn't for my always reliable and alert muso friends. This happens particularly often when it involves an artist or a band that normally wouldn't be my "cup of tea". So I am ashamed to admit I have never heard of Chelsea Wolfe until yesterday and even though I tried very patiently to digest her whole new album today and didn't succeed, I must confess I have completely fallen in love with this one ethereal track, "The Warden" which is just hypnotising. A perfect lullaby for tonight me thinks.

P.S. Muito obrigado Joaninha!



CHOON OF THE DAY: "ANOTHER" - Seekae


Seekae are from Sydney and make these kind of chilled alternative soundscapes. "Another" is balancing between two separate musical planets with its instantly attention-grabbing powerful super-melody of a modern pop classic and its cold, ascetic, atmospheric production associated with the electronic world. File somewhere between The Irrepressibles, HURTS, Sohn and Cut Copy.

Seekae - Another by Electro News