SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: 35 YEARS OF ÜBER-NERDINESS → 1987-2021 REVIVAL [Episode 1/35 - 1987]

This autumn marks 35 years since I've begun compiling my very own #Top20 chart, subsequently becoming a music-obsessed über-nerd. Not that much has changed in this department ever since that one afternoon in 1987, well maybe aside from some of my musical choices... To celebrate this important milestone of mine, I am embarking on a 35-episode long series reviving 10 of my most beloved tracks from each year of my list's existence, starting in 1987 all the way to the culmination of this project at the end of this year when I should be hopefully ready to make up my mind about my Top 10 Best of 2021! Each episode will be part of the same blog thread here, complemented by a gradually updated Spotify playlist. Will you join me on this sentimental journey of mine? Let's dig in, back in the year when it all started... 

#Shrems19872021Revival

Follow the 1987-2021 Playlist on Spotify!

Honourable mentions:

“Sign o' the Times” – Prince

“Come into My Life” – Joyce Sims

“Don't You Want Me (Dance Remix)” – Jody Watley

“Diamonds (Cool Summer Mix Edit)” – Herb Alpert feat. Janet Jackson

“Shame (Dance Mix)” – Eurythmics

Top 10 of 1987: 

10 “The Rhythm Divine” – Yello feat. Shirley Bassey

9 “Wishing Well” – Terence Trent D'Arby

8 “Girlfriend” – Pebbles

7 “Father Figure” – George Michael

6 “Behind the Wheel” – Depeche Mode

5 “Causing a Commotion” – Madonna

4 “Im Nin’Alu” – Ofra Haza

3 “La Isla Bonita (Extended Remix)” – Madonna

2 “U Got the Look” – Prince feat. Sheena Easton

1 “Beethoven (I Love to Listen To)” – Eurythmics

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "ENDLESSLY" - GL + Top 10 Greatest GL Tracks

So apparently I have blogged about this Australian duo 38 times to date... Here's another GL-themed post on the rather wondrous occasion of the arrival of their sublime, lushly produced latest single "Endlessly" which is heralding the release of their sophomore LP "You Read My Mind" dropping on 25th September. The Melbourne based Ella Thompson and Graeme Pogson continue to champion the 1980's sonic revival with a concoction of synth-pop, post-disco, cosmic-funk, R&B and soul spiced up with their very own signature twist. I have recently selected "Touch" - GL's debut album, as one of the 5 greatest records of the decade in my Top 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010's so the expectations for "You Read My Mind" are rather high. You can pre-order your vinyl/digital copy now via Bandcamp. To celebrate the release of "Endlessly" I have also compiled a list of 10 previous GL songs I cherish the most. Enjoy!

Top 10 Greatest GL Tracks

10 "Destiny" (2017)

GL..! · GL - Destiny

9 "Number One" (2015)

8 "Body Language" (2016)

7 "Pistachio" (2020)

6 "Grip" (2016)

GL..! · Grip

5 "Reflect" (2017)

GL..! · GL - Reflect

4 "Hallucinate" (2016)

3 "Take Me Back" (2014)

2 "Warm" (2016)

1 "What Happened To Us?" (2014)

Tweet

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "STOP & GO" - The Galleria

The Galleria is back. Morgan Geist and Jessy Lanza's 1980's-flavoured side-project first caught our attention with their excellent "Calling Card/Mezzanine" EP back in 2015. I have recently selected it as one of the Top 100 Greatest EPs of the 2010's. The yellow edition of the project - "Stop & Go" is an ultimate and immediate retro dancefloor-focused synth-pop smash which would not sound out of place tucked between the greatest 80's Janet Jackson or D'Train singles. I am struggling to figure out if there was any other single released in 2019 which is more "up my street". Bring back the sequined shoulder pads, baby!

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "MOVE" - Lynda Dawn

Photo by Hannah Faith

If you are nostalgic about 1980's vibes, the rare grooves, those smooth and slick soul anthems à la 1985 you are pretty much guaranteed to fall for this oldskool-flavoured absolute gem of a song. Lynda Dawn is a London based vocalist whose "Move" could trick us into believing it was some previously undiscovered lost gem of the era... The track comes from the latest edition in Gilles Peterson's cult series of compilations "Brownswood Bubblers". A lucky 13th volume! Think Mtume, The Fatback Band, Loose Ends, René & Angela and Gwen Guthrie... I am so looking forward to hearing more from this talented young songstress.

Tweet

LA MURPHY SAGA CONTINUES: "JACUZZI ROLLERCOASTER" / "CAN'T HANG ON" [with Maurice Fulton & Ali Love] - Róisín Murphy

So here it is, the 3rd chapter in the ever so captivating collaborative saga between Róisín Murphy and Maurice Fulton. The "Jacuzzi Rollercoaster" / "Can't Hang On" single is featuring London based singer Ali Love whom you may know, aside from his solo projects, from his previous joint efforts with Freeform Five, Luca C & Brigante & Hot Natured, all of whom would have also joined artistic forces in the past with La Murphy herself. "Jacuzzi Rollercoaster" is a full-flavoured slice of mid-tempo electronic-funk-meets-synth-pop, embellished with some rather delectable 1980's R&B reminiscences. The track certainly fits into the Irish artist's very own description of her current sound "My kind of dancing: all low and funky, allowing itself to be a little out of control". The throbbing "Can't Hang On" on the other hand is an invincible dancefloor-ready stomper with layers of Murphy's vocals.

The single was preceded by the equally vibrant double offerings of "All My Dreams" / "Innocence" and "Plaything" / "Like".

"Jacuzzi Rollercoaster" and "Can't Hang On" are both available now on all digital outlets and you can pre-order your own copy of the limited edition 12" via The Vinyl Factory ahead of its 22nd September release.

The very talented Portuguese New Yorker Bráulio Amado designed all the exclusive artwork for the whole series of these four exhilarating 12" singles produced by Maurice Fulton. Roll on October release of "The Rumble" / "World's Crazy" combo.

Tweet

SHREM'S INSTITUTE OF LOST CLASSICS: "WAYAWAYA" - Zoom

I have recently stumbled upon the "Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth Boogie In 1980s South Africa" compilation which was released last month by Soundway Records. Among all the old-skool gems I found Zoom's uplifting "Wayawaya" which dates back to 1987. An instant favourite, pure joy!

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "EVERYTHING" - Lisa Stansfield + Top 20 Greatest Lisa Stansfield Gems

Lisa Stansfield's euphoric new single "Everything" is here! The track heralds the release of her brand new studio album "Deeper" and brings us on a somewhat sentimental journey to the "Affection" days with its slick kaleidoscope of British soul, funk and dance pop. To celebrate the release of the song I am taking you back through the ever so luscious back-catalogue of tunes from the Manchester diva with my very subjective selection of her 20 greatest tracks to date.



Top 20 Greatest Lisa Stansfield Gems

20 "Down In The Depths" - from "Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute To Cole Porter" (1990)

19 "Symptoms of Loneliness & Heartache" - from "Real Love" (1991)

18 "So Natural" (1993)

17 "Set Your Loving Free (Mellow Mix)" (1992)

16 "The Line" (1997)

15 "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" (1992)

14 "Never Gonna Fall" (1997)

13 "Marvellous & Mine" - from "So Natural" (1993)

12 "The Love In Me (12" Remix)" - from "People Hold On... The Remix Anthology" (2014)

11 "You Can't Deny It" (1990)

10 "Let's Just Call It Love" (2001)

9 "What Did I Do to You?" (1990)

8 "Make It Right" (1994)

7 "Change" (1991)

6 "This Is the Right Time" (1989)

5 "Poison" - from "Affection" (1989)

4 "Time to Make You Mine" (1992)

3 "All Around the World" (1989)

2 "People Hold On" - with Coldcut (1989)

1 "Live Together" (1990)

Tweet