SHREM'S CAROUSEL OF ÜBER NERDINESS: November 2013

Saturday, November 30, 2013

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "REBOUND" - Dornik

Wow! There is so many reasons why I love this track! Dornik's debut single, the ultimately lush "Something About You" brought sexy back to music a few months ago. Now the latest revelation from PMR Records, home for a whole gang of artists I worship: Jessie Ware, Julio Bashmore, T.Williams, Cyril Hahn or Sam Smith, is back with "Rebound" an absloute belter of a tune. This sleekly produced song sounds like it borrows from Apollonia 6's naughty "Sex Shooter" and manages to sound funkier than anything Prince has recorded since "Diamonds & Pearls" over 2 decades ago. Dornik's one to watch in 2014 big time!

Rebound by "Dornik"

Thursday, November 28, 2013

CHOON OF THE DAY: "SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME" - Midnight Magic

This fabulous track was originally released as part of Midnight Magic's dazzling "What The Eyes Can't See" EP back in 2011. The song was then deservedly added to the Brooklyn disco ensemble's "Midnight Creepers" compilation (out now via Permanent Vacation) which combines the finest moments of their debut record "Walking The Midnight Streets" and the previously mentioned EP. This stupendous live rendition of "Someone's Watching Me" echoes some of the darker, grittier corners of early 80's post-punk and space disco. Tiffany Roth's voice remains one of most unique, powerful and goosebump-causing vocals among all the divas of the current dance & electronica scene globally. I'd absolutely love them to release this version!!!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "NOMALIZO" - Letta Mbulu + "PEACE & FREEDOM" - Itadi

Travelling to African territories for this edition of my Worldly Delights. Itadi's soulful "Peace & Freedom" was released in 1977 in Togo while Letta Mbulu's dreamy "Nomalizo" was initially included in her 1983 album "In The Music The Village Never Ends" released in her homeland South Africa. Two incredible grooves to satisfy even the fussiest world music aficionados. I'm still at a very early stage of my mission into discovering the music of African continent so having to stumble upon such jewels is a treat.

P.S. Thanks Leda for introducing me to "Nomalizo"!

Monday, November 25, 2013

SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "I KNOW" - Rosemary

I never thought I could see the hugely Avant-garde electro duo Rosemary going so high budget! "I Know" comes from their phenomenal EP "Pomegranate" which emerged last week and is now accompanied by this twisted visual banquet or perhaps even the video of the year. The EP includes some of the most unusual electronic productions I've heard in months confirming the uncompromising attitude of this multi-talented and enigmatic Danish/Iranian duo and this massive track which may resemble some of the early stuff by The Knife but that is never a bad thing. I first became hooked on Rosemary when they dropped "A Persian Tale" - their debut EP including "Friends" and "Sleep Alone" - two songs I mentioned among Top 100 Tracks of 2012. I am beyond myself just imagining what the future may reveal for this highly intriguing act.

CHOON OF THE DAY: "APPLE" - Towa Tei feat. Shiina Ringo

Not quite sure how I missed this release back in July especially considering Towa Tei has a status of sort of electronic music genius in my books. Here he collaborates with Shiina Ringo - a Japanese singer-songwriter, music composer and music producer to another astonishing effect in his long list of excellent singles featuring female artists the likes of Kylie Minogue, Ayumi Tanabe, Lina Ohta, Miho Hatori or Bebel Gilberto. The track comes from his 8th studio album "Lucky". Simply delectable!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "THE BOOGEYMAN" - Nyteowl

This truly bizarre slice of disco noir from the Minneapolis-based Nyteowl is right up my alley of sounds. Hypnotising, almost cacophonic journey into the darker side of nu disco with some new wave post punk vibe that is so uncanny I wouldn't be surprised if it was coming from some obscure European label circa 1982... Oh and that bit "You can never be my boyfriend" is so Janet Jackson! "The Boogeyman" made me rather excited about the band's debut album "Gold Girl" which is out now!

THE BOOGEYMAN by Nyteowl

Saturday, November 23, 2013

SHREM'S TOP 100 JUICIEST R&B SONGS OF THE 1980'S [part 8]: 30 - 21

30 "Juicy Fruit" - Mtume (1983)

29 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - Michael Jackson (1982)

28 "A Night To Remember" - Shalamar (1982)

27 "Keep On" - D'Train (1982)

D ~ Train - Keep On (Original 12" Inch Vocal Mix) by Marcus Chavis

26 "This Is My Night" - Chaka Khan (1984)

25 "When Doves Cry" - Prince (1984)

24 "Never Too Much" - Luther Vandross (1981)

23 "Slave To The Rhythm" - Grace Jones (1985)

22 "The Pleasure Principle" - Janet Jackson (1986)

21 "Love Come Down" - Evelyn "Champagne" King (1982)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "NATURE TRIPS" + "EVERYTHING WE TOUCH TURNS INTO GOLD" - Eyedress

Surprises like Eyedress are such a bliss for people like myself who are addicted to both electronica and music coming from exotic parts of the world. Idris Vicuña hidden behind a pseudonym of Eyedress comes from Manila and both of the tracks come from this mysterious artist's debut EP "Supernatural" released on December 2 by Abeano. Who would have thought I'd get to discover some electro and glo-fi from the Philippines? File somewhere between Grimes, Washed Out and oOoOO.

Eyedress by EYEDRESS

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "THE MAGNIFICENT" /// "I FEEL SPACE" - Lindstrøm

Norway's prime magician of electronica, Lindstrøm is taking us on a space disco odyssey again. "The Magnificent" is an aptly titled track built around hypnotising soundscapes echoing late 70's cosmic disco and Norway's very own distinctive take-on the genre, the one he's already been a major part of defining in his 2005 epic single "I Feel Space". Don't they just sound ehm... magnificent when played back to back?

Lindstrøm -The Magnificent by Lindstrøm

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

CHOON OF THE DAY: "GET THY BEARINGS" - Bonobo feat. Szjerdene

Bonobo covers Donovan exclusively for another smashing compilation in the Late Night Tales series and it turns out to be one of his most wonderful recordings in years! This string-laden rendition, beautifully sung by Szjerdene is a perfect autumn moment and the selection Bonobo has just curated includes tracks by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Shlohmo, Nina Simone, Lapalux and more. Classy.

Bonobo ft Szjerdene - Get Thy Bearings (Exclusive Late Night Tales Donovan cover version) by LateNightTales

Monday, November 18, 2013

CHOON OF THE DAY: "SOMETHING IN MY HEART" - Röyksopp feat. Jamie McDermott of The Irrepressibles

Oh how impatiently was I waiting for the Norwegian wizards of Röyksopp to release a track as beautiful as "Something In My Heart". Featuring the lamenting vocals of Jamie McDermott from cult orchestral pop ensemble The Irrepressibles. The exquisitely layered, magical production is Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland's signature trick at this stage. This is a b-side to their brand new single "Running To The Sea" featuring Susanne Sundfør which is out 25th November. Blown-away and so glad to see the boys back in top form!

Something In My Heart (feat. Jamie Irrepressible) by Röyksopp

Oh and this is how Röyksopp and The Irrepressibles originally met, when the talented Tromsø duo came up with this mammoth remix:

Saturday, November 16, 2013

SHREM'S TOP 100 JUICIEST R&B SONGS OF THE 1980'S [part 7]: 40 - 31

40 "Pull Up To The Bumper" - Grace Jones (1981)

39 "Ain't Nothing Goin' On But The Rent" - Gwen Guthrie (1986)

38 "Hold On" - High Fashion (1982)

High Fashion - Hold on (extended) by masterb

37 "Cold Hearted" - Paula Abdul (1988)

36 "Another Part Of Me" - Michael Jackson (1987)

35 "Girls and Boys" - Prince & The Revolution (1986)

See all music videos Prince

34 "I Feel For You" - Chaka Khan (1984)

33 "Lover In Me" - Sheena Easton (1988)

32 "Just Be Good To Me" - S.O.S. Band (1983)

31 "My Prerogative" - Bobby Brown (1988)

Friday, November 15, 2013

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "TOGETHER" - Sam Smith x Nile Rodgers x Disclosure x Jimmy Napes

Wow! What a mighty collaboration! What an instant weekend essential! Sam Smith. Nile Rodgers. Jimmy Napes. And... Disclosure!!! An utter musical epicness built around oldschool 80's R&B vibes. I'm sort of speechless so will just leave it at that and enjoy it for the 6th time in a row...

Sam Smith x Nile Rodgers x Disclosure x Jimmy Napes - Together by METHOD RECORDS

CHOON OF THE DAY: "FORGIVE ME" - Austra [Video]

The fittingly unsettling video for Austra's 3rd single from their excellent outing "Olympia" is out now. The single's out next week with 2 b-sides "Hopeless Place" and "Holy Place" and I absolutely can't wait to see them live, here in Dublin at Button Factory, next Friday.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "BAD DANCER" - Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Band

"Bad Dancer" put a huge smile on my face when I saw it first on Monday. Yoko Ono's latest video is a 3 minute long feast of all things berserk, cacophonic and absurd with an impressive array of special guests including Roberta Flack, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda, Reggie Watts, ?uestlove, Justin Vivian Bond, Ad Rock & Mike D from Beastie Boys, Greg Saunier, Heems and more! It's also probably Ono's best single since "Walking On Thin Ice". When your heart is dancing, your mind is bouncing. Bounce, bounce, bounce, BOUNCE!