SHREM'S CAROUSEL OF ÜBER NERDINESS: April 2015

Thursday, April 30, 2015

CHOON OF THE DAY: "DEEPER SHADOWS" - Jaakko Eino Kalevi

Jaakko Eino Kalevi, alongside Cola & Jimmu and Femme En Fourrure, lead the list of the most interesting musical acts to emerge from Finland the past few years. Oscillating between folk, electro and funk, this attractively enigmatic, local hero of the underground scene, bewildered us already once with the eclectic "Dreamzone EP" and now continues to inspire with his dreamy and panpipe-laden new single "Deeper Shadows".

Both "Deeper Shadows" and the mellow "Double Talk" can be found on Kalevi's upcoming new self-titled album, due for release 15 June 2015 via Weird World Records. Here's what else we can read in the official press release for this highly anticipated record:

"The ten-track collection finds Jaakko on spellbinding form, composing sumptuous and wildly original music that teems with ideas and more than delivers on the promise of its predecessor, the breakthrough 2013 EP Dreamzone. Jaakko Eino Kalevi marks the start of a striking new chapter for the Berlin-based artist – a former tram driver in Helsinki – who’s already made quite an impression on the international stage these past 12 months."

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: Top 200 Best Singles of The 1990's part 5 [120-101]

120 "HUG MY SOUL" - Saint Etienne (1994)

119 "TAKE ME BABY" - Jimi Tenor (1995)

118 "MY ARMY OF LOVERS" - Army of Lovers (1990)

117 "MY LOVIN' (YOU'RE NEVER GONNA GET IT) - En Vogue (1992)

116 "IF" - Janet Jackson (1993)

115 "ALL IS FULL OF LOVE" - Björk (1999)

114 "FEELING FOR YOU" - Cassius (1999)

113 "NOTHING REALLY MATTERS" - Madonna (1998)

112 "HIT" - Sugarcubes (1991)

111 "BABY" - Brandy (1994)

110 "FU-GEE-LA" - The Fugees (1995)

109 "CALIFORNIA" - Mylène Farmer (1996)

108 ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY?" - Aaliyah (1998)

107 "GOOD BEAT" - Deee-Lite (1991)

106 "COTTON WOOL (Fila Brazilia Mix)" - Lamb (1996)

105 "MIRACLE" - Olive (1996)

104 "OPEN UP" - Leftfield feat. John Lydon (1993)

103 "I WANT YOU" - Jody Watley (1991)

102 "ON & ON" - Erykah Badu (1996)

101 "STARLOVERS" - Gus Gus (1999)

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

CHOON OF THE DAY: "DEAD BIRD" - Germans

I first became acquainted (and slightly obsessed!) with Germans back in September 2013 when both of her singles "Wonderhow" and "Cruel" completely stole my heart. Julia Kwamya, the versatile and unique vocalist behind the project, has prepared this retro flavoured "Perfect Party Playlist" exclusively for my "carousel" and is now celebrating her 3rd single "Dead Bird" being premiered on Billboard no less. Produced by Asher Zeitschik and Julia Kwamya herself, "Dead Bird" brings back some sweet late 80's/early 90's Swing Out Sister and Banderas memories. The song is an appetising first taster of Germans' debut album arriving this autumn. Sumptuous.

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "JUNGLE (Midnight Magic Remix)" - Legs /// "TROUBLE T (Deniz Kurtel Remix)" - Midnight Magic

There's more of those cosmic disco delights from the irresistible Midnight Magic on the horizon. While the Brooklyn collective is putting finishing touches to their brand new, highly anticipated LP, they came up with another stellar remix this time for their fellow New Yorkers LEGS who advertise themselves to be "blending modern indie pop with Stax-worthy hooks" and to be "a mobile cauldron of everything retro and cosmopolitan" (as read on their Soundcloud). The mix is a dancefloor-ready summer cocktail party slice of hedonistic beats, balearic vibes and oldskool flavours.

Midnight Magic's "Trouble T", the track I confidently chose as "2014 Song of the Year" in this countdown last December, was also recently remixed by Deniz Kurtel to a superb result. The fascinatingly epic twisted disco stomper was revamped into a deep house odyssey, using most of Tiffany Roth's sensational vocals from the original version. These two tunes back to back bring out the sunshine. Heavenly, lush and saucy.