SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: Top 200 Best Tracks of the 1980's part 8 [60-41]

60 "Don't You Want Me (Dance Remix)" - Jody Watley (1987)

59 "Theme From S-Express" - S-Express (1988)

58 "Fairplay" - Soul II Soul feat. Rose Windross (1988)

57 "Love Song" - Madonna & Prince (1989)

56 "Promised Land" - Joe Smooth (1988)

55 "Who's That Girl" - Madonna (1987)

54 "Poison" - Lisa Stansfield (1989)

53 "I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)" - Grace Jones (1981)

52 "Blue Monday" - New Order (1983)

51 "101" - Sheena Easton (1989)

50 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - Michael Jackson (1983)

49 "I'll Be Good" - René & Angela (1985)

48 "Left To My Own Devices" - Pet Shop Boys (1988)

47 "Keep On" - "D" Train (1982)

46 "Double Dutch" - Malcolm McLaren & The Ebonettes (1982)

45 "Holiday" - Madonna (1983)

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

43 "No Way Back" - Adonis (1986)

42 "What Have You Done For Me Lately" - Janet Jackson (1986)

41 "Burning Up (12" Version)" - Madonna (1983)

Tweet

SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: Top 200 Best Tracks of the 1980's part 7 [80-61]

80 "Living My Life" - Grace Jones (1983)

79 "The Finest" - The S.O.S. Band (1986)

78 "The Day Before You Came" - ABBA (1982)

77 "Dirty Cash (Money Talks)" - Adventures Of Stevie V (1989)

76 "I'm Not Scared" - Eighth Wonder (1988)

75 "Control" - Janet Jackson (1986)

74 "Close To Me" - The Cure (1985)

73 "Nothing Has Been Proved" - Dusty Springfield (1989)

72 "Like A Prayer" - Madonna (1989)

71 "Stand On the Word (Larry Levan Mix)" - Joubert Singers (1985)

70 "The Force" - Nancy Nova (1981)

69 "Nightclubbing" - Grace Jones (1981)

68 "All Around The World" - Lisa Stansfield (1989)

67 "Situation" - Yazoo (1982)

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

65 "Juicy Fruit" - Mtume (1983)

64 "Dress You Up" - Madonna (1985)

63 "Make-Up" - Vanity 6 (1982)

62 "The Rhythm Divine" - Yello & Shirley Bassey (1987)

61 "The Look Of Love" - Madonna (1987)

Tweet

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "NEW YORK 93" - Yaeji /// "BREADANDBUTTER" - El Perro del Mar

Technically these two tracks have very little in common, if judged purely from the stylistic point of you. However both songs stood out for me the most in the last few days in the originality department. Yaeji and El Perro del Mar released ambitiously unclassifiable singles that sound quite like nothing else out there.

Yaeji is a promising, innovative Korean artist based in New York, the latest sensation to emerge from the ever so reliable mine of underground talents GODMODE - the label which gave us Shamir Bailey! Subtly echoing other female electronica producers the likes of Nina Kraviz or Jessy Lanza, "New York 93" captivates with its arrays of electronic shimmers, micro-beats, synth bleeps and whispers. An absorbing lullaby which will hold you spellbound. A peculiar slice of oneiric downtempo which kept me replaying it over and over again these past couple of days.

Swedish indie pop songstress El Perro del Mar is a no stranger to Shrem's Carousel of Über-Nerdiness. Redefining musical eclecticism Sarah Assbring remained unpredictable throughout her career. Flirting with electro project Pacific! (the glorious "Unspoken"), throwing back to some early 90's memories with "Walk On By", turning Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Breaking The Girl" into a dream pop essential or paying her own tribute to Goran Bregović's "Ederlezi" with "Våroffer (Alla Vill Ha)", those were just a few examples of her most recent artistic ventures. Now the Gothenburg based singer returns with a an intriguing ode to Asian alt-pop aesthetics "Breadandbutter" which is accompanied by an astonishing video directed by El Perro del Mar herself and Nicole Walker. The single which announces the release of the artist's 5th studio album "KoKoro" is out now via Ging Ging Recordings.

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "VV VIOLENCE" - Jessy Lanza

"VV Violence" is whetting my appetite for Jessy Lanza's most anticipated new album "Oh No" even more. Following the unpredictable path of its phenomenal predecessor "It Means I Love You", the curious ode to South African Shangaan Electro which quickly became the strongest contender for the 2016 track of the year, the new single is a confident club R&B groove entwining current electronica with echoes of 1980's cosmic funk, soul and post-disco. Once again Miss Lanza pushing the sonic boundaries in her very own effortlessly cool and slightly blazé demeanour. "Oh No" drops 13th May via Hyperdub.



Here's "It Means I Love You" live for CBC Music.

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "DAYDREAM" - Leo Kalyan

Leo Kalyan returns with an irresistibly melodic, richly produced slice of synth-pop "Daydream" which will leave you gasping for more once its 3 minutes of aural lushness come to an end. One of those songs I just had to immediately stick on loop. The kind of Pop excellence which is everything that the current pop scene is missing on commercial charts: an attractive blend of genres, it's far from sounding generic in the slightest while remaining impossibly catchy. Yet another gem from London's hidden treasure of a vocalist.

Tweet

SHREM'S TRIP-HOP RETROSPECTIVE: "I Fell So You Could Catch Me (Marc Brown Mix)" - Shara Nelson

ARTIST: Shara Nelson
TITLE: "I Fell So You Could Catch Me (Marc Brown Mix)"
RELEASE DATE: 1996
LABEL: Cooltempo, Chrysalis
LOCATION: London, UK
ALBUM: "Friendly Fire"

Tweet

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "WORKS FOR YOU" - Σtella /// "SECRET IN THE DARK (Juan MacLean Edit)" - Monika

I have two very promising contemporary Greek artists for you today. Athens based pop singer-songwriter Stella Chronopoulou aka Σtella  releases the instantly charming and wonderfully retro "Works For You", co-produced by NTEIBINT who was already joining musical efforts with Stella before on "The Owner". The flawlessly produced single, emphasising the good old-fashioned pop melodies, is taken off her upcoming sophomore album scheduled for later on this year via Inner Ear Records.

The other Greek diva Monika Christodoulou caught our attention last year with a bona fide modern disco anthem "Secret In The Dark" and the indisputable legacy of this indie classic lives on with an electrifying re-edit of the track by DFA's disco aficionado The Juan MacLean. Sounding like a perfect bridge between late 70's Demis Roussos and Midnight Magic, "Secret In The Dark" sounds like an authentic Studio 54 lost gem.

Tweet