Georgia, Chalin & Cherish aka JUCE vel the most interesting UK girl band since Sugababes back in their prime original line-up, are treating us to another portion of their sweet pop sounds. Following the invincible "(H)ours", one of the brightest pop moments in 2014, the funky trio offers "6th Floor" an equally jolly and nonchalant number promoting the release of their mini album "Taste the JUCE!".
If you missed their previous videos here's "Burnin' Up" and "Call You Out" also included on the EP:
Yasmine Hamdan is one of the most unique ambassadors of the Arabic music globally. Her sensual vocals and natural charisma are some of the reasons why she continues to have a cult following internationally whether it's through her original Beirut based, now-legendary trip hop duo Soapkills, through her electro incarnation as Y.A.S. with the electronic wizard that is Mirwais Ahmadzaï or finally through her sophisticated solo recordings. Both "Nediya" and "Hal", recently used in Jim Jarmusch's excellent "Only Lovers Left Alive", come from her latest solo album "Ya Nass". Both tracks are oozing class and musical finesse. Back in April last year Yasmine Hamdan created THIS playlist especially for my blog.
So it looks like we might have another candidate for the video of the year. Alex & Liane directed this pastel visual feast for Hercules & Love Affair's "Do You Feel The Same?" featuring the awe-inspiring Gustaph and his impressively diverse vocal range. The first single from "The Feast Of The Broken Heart" gets re-released via Defected in February 2015.
Have you ever heard of Interplanetary Bass? Alo Wala is a new multi-vibrant dance act created by individuals from Chicago, Copenhagen and Stavanger. Their ebullient hybrid of Bollywood, dancehall, global beats, ragga and urban vibes is genuinely quirky and instantly appealing. "Cityboy" lies somewhere between Linkoban, M.I.A. and Buraka Som Sistema. An immediate winner.
"ALO WALA is the sound of a new Europe, a new world, and a new way of thinking about one another as belonging to an interconnected global society. Today in a time when dancehall and hip hop informed culture has taken hold worldwide, local club DJs, multi-lingual rappers and bedroom producers are coming into their own and becoming leaders of a new generation. ALO WALA is poised to step out as one of the bright lights of this movement." - we read on their official Facebook page. The 5-track EP is out now via Enchufada and the luminous video was directed by Jamil GS.
It's "hit and miss" with me and iamamiwhoami but I have to admit "Shadowshow" is one of the most beautiful songs I heard in years... This is synth-pop at its most refined and its sleekest. The closing track from the enthralling Swedish songstress' latest LP "Blue", is yet to be portrayed visually but its astounding melody and impeccable production will melt any sensitive listener's heart. Extremely impressed I am almost certain "Shadowshow" will end up among Top 10 best tracks of 2014 in my annual countdown. I just can't get enough of it. "Blue" is out now!
No surprise I went completely berserk and ecstatic hearing this teaser just about 2 hours ago for the first time. After all Róisín Murphy is the artist I have been worshipping for the past 2 decades continuously and she also happens to be the artist I blogged about the most in the 5 year old history of my musical "carousel". A separate exclusively dedicated thread speaks for itself I suppose and is something only La Murphy can acquire ;-) So the Irish disco empress is back with an absolute dancefloor stomper - "Invisions" is a join effort with the Italian duo Luca C & Brigante, a pair responsible for "Flash Of Light", their collaborative slice of moody deep house which graced us back in 2012. The single is out soon via the cult house label Hot Creations and shapes to be the last great dance record in 2014. Irresistible melody, classic production, those goosebump-causing vocals and with some delicate Moloko reminiscences, surely a recipe for a club anthem.
"Invisions" is a wholly refreshing Italo House dream with old school melodic synths riding under Róisín’s seamless vocal. The release also features a ‘Club Version’ adding warm, rounded chimes and an infectious bassline. Hot Creations boss Jamie Jones delivers his ‘Submerged Remix’, deep and dark, destined for the earlier hours of the morning. The highly respected Luke Solomon also makes his first appearance on the label, rounding off the package with his ‘Body Dub’ version, directed straight at the dancefloor with a prominent hypnotic loop, driving hats and a distinctive, abstract melody."
It's time for the 3rd single from Kindness' excellent new album "Otherness" and I am delighted he chose to release his wonderful collaboration with Robyn, a charming synth pop moment filled with broken beats and early 90's club and urban nostalgia. Melancholic, absorbing and unique. You can listen to an interview with both of the artists, talking about each other, their music inspirations and making of "Who Do You Love?" video HERE if you skip to the 30min mark of the show.
Doc Daneeka's serving another ultimate house stomper with the release of "What's It Gonna Be" from his collaborative EP "From Mine To Mistress" with Seven Davis Jr. As vibrant and dancefloor-ready as its 1990's flavoured official video. The EP is out in Ireland today and elsewhere on Monday via Ten Thousand Yen.
The atmospheric soundscapes by Eyedress, the most promising musical export from the whole South East Asia, are already such a sonic statement on the global scene of electronic music. The fascinating "When I'm Gone" lived up to my rather high expectations, considering its predecessor, the wondrously peculiar "Nature Trips" is among the greatest singles of the decade so far. Here's Eyedress' new single combined with his mesmerising remix of "Stills" by London based Panes.
"Buscabulla (Spanish slang for troublemaker) is the music project of Puerto Rican designer and Brooklyn resident, Raquel Berrios and Luis Alfredo Del Valle. Heavily influenced by vintage Latin music like salsa gorda, Cuban psych and '80s Argentinian rock, the project combines both electronic and live instrumentation. Their diverse influences make up a hybrid that combines a mellow Caribbean sensibility with subversive wit."
I just stumbled upon this exotic duo browsing through the latest compilation from Kitsuné. With echoes of Trip Hop nostalgia and vintage Latin flavours their first self-titled EP is an instant treat for those musos always peckish for some exciting, fresh global grooves. I am hooked on these intriguingly eerie, ethereal songs since last night. Highly recommended.