SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "TRY ME" - IAMNOBODI feat. Ego Ella May /// "STUPID" [produced by Dornik] - Ego Ella May

I simply adore discovering new musicians, especially if I stumble upon them by complete chance like it was with this very special lady who goes by the rather cool name of Ego Ella May. This London based chanteuse also owns a remarkable, velvet voice full of soul and her vocal acrobatics are both understated and expressive. "Try Me" is Ego Ella May's joint effort with an urban guru IAMNOBODI and it is my latest song obsession spinning on my iTunes on repeat. There's a free download of the track too which is such a treat. While browsing through the artist's Soundcloud, to my delight, I have also come across a song called "Stupid" which was superbly produced by Jessie Ware's collaborator Dornik who stole our hearts twice already with his r&b gems: "Rebound" and "Something About You". Here's Ego Ella May who found a very special fresh spot among my favourite new female singers right next to Fatima and Julia Kwamya from Germans.

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SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "LOVERS IN THE PARKING LOT" - Solange

So Solange has just dropped the official video for my favourite song taken off her sumptuous EP "True" which is a collaborative effort between herself and the one and only Devonté-Blood Orange-Hynes. This song is a pure pop perfection, among the finest tracks in years big time.

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "Vōs-Sākō-Rv" - Lindstrøm + Future Feelings Remixs

Lindstrøm's nu-disco odyssey "Smalhans" was one of the most impressive dance EP's released last year. 9 months after its debuts we're treated to a cute video accompanying one of the 6 excellent and complicatedly titled tracks: "Vōs-Sākō-Rv". European nu-disco at its best!



Lindstrom-Vos-Sako-Rv- (Future Feelings Remix) by Future Feelings

Lindstrøm - Vōs-sākō-rv by Lindstrøm

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "HOLD ON" - Duke Dumont feat. MNEK /// "CLOSER THAN CLOSE" - MNEK

Discovering Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike artistically known as MNEK and his sensational vocal capabilities is a blissful experience. This 18-Year-Old Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Remixer from South London not only has a very impressive vocal range but also a pretty spectacular collection of covers and re-fixes published on his Soundcloud. MNEK's take-on Rosie Gaines' house anthem "Closer Than Close" left me speechless. Collaborating with Duke Dumont, responsible for one of this year's juiciest #1's "Need U (100%)", will most likely introduce him to a wider audience and open the opportunities for more solo releases in the future. There wasn't a male voice that would stagger me to the same level since Jamie Woon. Pure.

Duke Dumont feat. MNEK - Hold On by Duke Dumont

MNEK - Close Than Close (Rosie Gaines Refix) by MNEK

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "FACE LOVE ANEW" - Stereogamous feat. Shaun J. Wright + The Miracles Club /// "LUVVBAZAAR (Shaun J. Wright and Alinka Twirl Remix) - SSION

"Face Love Anew" from the collaborative effort between the velvet voiced Shaun J. Wright and Sydney based queer dj's Stereogamous was one of my top tunes in 2012 and ended up in top 20 of my annual ranking of the best tracks of the year. This is the debut collaboration of the biggest names in the counterculture queer music scene. Inspired by the amazing live vocals from the birth of disco (reminiscent of Sylvester and Patrick Cowley dance tracks) combined with Chicago House, "Face Love Anew" is an ode to the musical past and with an arrow pointed into the future. I am re-visiting this phenomenal piece of house music since we've now also been graced with an official video for it. It's a great opportunity to also re-play the best of the whole bunch of remixes of the tune, made by the one and only The Miracles Club. Stereogamous with Shaun J. Wright are opening for SSION in Berlin 20th June at Festsaal Kreuzberg, now that's what you call a dream concert team. Wish I could be there too. It also makes perfect sense to share Shaun J. Wright and Alinka's (of Twirl Chicago) flamboyant remix of SSION's "Luvvbazaar" while we're at it. Fabulousness overdose!!!



Stereogamous feat. Shaun J Wright - Face Love Anew (The Miracles Club Remix) by The Miracles Club

SSION - Luvvbazaar (Shaun J. Wright and Alinka Twirl Remix) by TwirlChicago

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "BEAUTIFUL OBJECT" - Glass Candy

Glass Candy's spectacular performance at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, their first show in months which they described themselves as "absolutely hypnotic", was indeed a rather euphoric, hedonistic and joyful moment I was very lucky to enjoy from the very first row. They literally included every single song I was hoping to hear live... "Candy Castle", "Life After Sundown", "Geto Boys", "Beatific", "Digital Versicolor", "Warm In The Winter", "Miss Broadway"... I mean what a sensational set! In addition to the beginning of their European tour and the release of the fantastic "After Dark 2" compilation, Italians Do It Better duo treated us also to a fresh video for the wonderful "Beautiful Object" directed by the label's frequent collaborator, a retro-chic visionary extraordinaire Alberto Rossini. A pure summer moment!

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "HUJAWIAK" /// "NIE OGARNIAM" - Maria Peszek

The awe-inspiring. The charismatic. The ultra-talented. The uncompromising. Maria Peszek, the most daring and artistically impressive alternative pop star to emerge from Poland of the past decade, continues her energetic "Jezus Maria Peszek" tour promoting her 3rd album with a bunch of exclusive performances abroad. This Thursday Peszek performs a one-off show in the Button Factory, Dublin, a concert I simply cannot contain my excitement about. Her extremely poignant, brave lyrics, her rebellious attitude and outspokenness made her almost instantly a cult artist nationwide, gained her a truly devoted fanbase as well as a visible army of angry haters. A show not to be missed for both die-hard fans and those passionate about discovering new music emerging from different corners of the European continent. I happen to belong to both groups, so it sure shapes to be a memorable evening. For more details on Peszek's show in Dublin check out the event page on Facebook or get tickets on entertainment.ie. Maria Peszek performs in London 19th May and Ostrava 21st July. Here are two of her songs I cherish with a particular love.

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "CREAM" - Mandola Jayebe /// "DIDN'T CHA KNOW" - Erykah Badu

I came across this smooth gem by Mandola Jayebe the other day. Not sure whether it was its sleek production, superb sampling or the oldskool feel of it that blew me away so much, it doesn't happen that often with any of the current Hip-Hop artists... This promising Texas based rapper generously offers his music for free on his Bandcamp. The tracks borrows from Tarika Blue's "Dreamflower" the very same recording which appealed to the queen Erykah Badu in 2000 when she dropped her magnificent "Didn't Cha Know" - the single I cherish up to this day as her finest work to date. Here are both of them back to back sounding all sexy and velvet.

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SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "THE HEAT" + "ALIEN BABIES" - Easter

EASTER are Max Boss and Stine Omar Midtsæter. They're based in Berlin. They make minimal electro. They're fearless. They're brazen. They're unique. My latest obsession, literally since yesterday! Both tracks are taken off their self-released album "The Softest Hard". I am beyond intrigued.

[Thank you Alexander for the hint!]

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "LOST IN TIME" - Azari & III + Jori Hulkkonen & VCO Remixes

Dinamo Azari, Alixander III, Starving Yet Full and Fritz Helder, the indestructible Canadian house quartet, are just about to complete their 2 year long worldwide promotion of their spectacular self-titled debut album by releasing the final single "Lost In Time". A stand-out track from the very first listen, it wasn't a surprise but more a hope the tune would eventually get its well deserved individual release. Delectable beats, slick production and divalicious vocals dripping with soul and funk with a pinch of mystery and darkness. This recipe for a dancefloor anthem Azari & III stylee was proven on numerous occasions before. I am particularly excited the single comes with a remix by one of my most beloved djs and producers, Finnish dance scene's darling Jori Hulkkonen. Just ace!

Did you have a chance to check out my Top 10 Favourite Azari & III Remixes list back in March?

Azari & III - Lost In Time by Azari & III

Azari & III - Lost In Time (Jori Hulkkonen Remix) by Azari & III

Azari & III - Lost In Time (VCO Remix) by Azari & III

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "SUNSET" - Compuphonic feat. Marques Toliver + Dj T & Aeroplane Remixes

"8 months and nearly 3,000,000 views since Belgian producer Compuphonic uploaded, 'Sunset' his collaboration with Marques Toliver to YouTube with just a simple logo, the track finally has a proper video, courtesy of Lisbon based film producers Salon Alpin." Now this ubiquitous piece of hedonistic house also gets a second single release packed with remix treasures. Here's "Sunset" in all its visual and sonic glory with the now famous summer anthem of a remix by Dj T. and a phenomenal oldskool rendition juggling between French Touch vibes, 1980's pop and Nu Disco by the one and only Aeroplane, Belgium's best dance export.



Compuphonic - Sunset Feat. Marques Toliver (DJ T. Mix) by DJT.

Compuphonic feat. Marques Toliver - Sunset (Aeroplane Remix Radio Edit) by Compuphonic

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "DARKEST NIGHT" - Moullinex feat. Iwona Skwarek [Rebeka] + Remixes

"Darkest Night" was my favourite track from Moullinex's "Flora" pretty much from the moment I listened to the album for the first time. Iwona Skwarek (from Rebeka) is giving a solid vocal performance in this delightfully fruitful Portuguese-Polish collaboration. Buy the single now on Beatport with remixes from Xinobi and Kris Menace! Muito obrigado and dziękuję bardzo!



Moullinex - Darkest Night (Xinobi Remix) by XINOBI

Moullinex - Darkest Nights - Kris Menace & Pwndtiac Remix by Kris Menace

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "SEX SHOOTER" - Apollonia 6 /// "SEX SHOOTER" - Frost

"Sex Shooter" by Apollonia 6 has always been one of the tunes I cherished the most among all the countless tracks produced by the mighty Prince in the 80's. The song received a fantastic, eerily captivating cover treatment from the Norwegian duo Frost a while back. Aggie Peterson and Per Martinsen served a completely different interpretation of the classic song. As much as I adore the original version of "Sex Shooter" I must admit it's one of the most exquisite covers I've heard in years. Find it on Frost's latest LP "Radiomagnetic".



Sex Shooter by frostnorway

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "DON'T LET ME DOWN" /// "BAD GIRLS" - Solange

Solange Knowles teaming up with Blood Orange last year for their "True" EP was both the best thing that happened to Pop and the best thing that happened to R'N'B. The immaculately produced EP continues to impress me with every next listen. "Don't Let Me Down" and "Bad Girls" are as enthralling as the ubiquitous "Losing You". Here they both are in studio and live interpretations.

Solange - Don't Let Me Down by CállateGrita





Black Cab Sessions - Solange from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

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SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "GET A JOB" - Gossip + Wankelmut Remix

A brand new video from the unstoppable Beth Ditto and Gossip has just emerged. As always bursting with positive energy and good humour. "Get A Job" is the 3rd single taken from the band's 5th studio album "A Joyful Noise".



Gossip - Get a Job (Wankelmut Remix) - 128 kbit by wankelmut

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "BLUE BIRD" - Thom Catt

I can't fully grasp or explain my feelings for these 3 astonishingly intriguing minutes of music... Lying somewhere between Angelo Badalamenti's atmospheric production, David Bowie's hypnotic vocals and the enigma of Colder with a whole bunch of additional unclassifiable elements, this sombre piece of Danish electronica left me stunned about an hour ago... The opening track from the latest installment in the superb series of compilations that is "Sound of Copenhagen". All I know about this mysterious artist is what I've learned from his Soundcloud so far. His name is Thomas Gaist. He's based in Odense, Denmark. "Blue Bird" - a goosebump-causing late night masterpiece...

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SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "SUPER FUTURE" - Actually Huizenga + Evertronic Remix

Actually Huizenga whom you may know from Wet Look, has just released a brand new video from her camp-tastic electro pop odyssey that is her self-titled debut solo album. "Super Future" along with "Being Bled" and "Tropical Winter" were my instant favourites. Hedonistic, perverse and eccentric. Buy Actually's album HERE.



ACTUALLY - SUPER FUTURE (THE EVERTRONIC REMIX) by THE EVERTRONIC

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "WARM WINTER'S DAY" /// "PEANUT BUTTER (Moon Boots Remix)" - Alison Valentine

I've discovered Alison Valentine, a New York based chanteuse making an inexplicably wonderful pop music only a few days ago when I stumbled across her brand new single "Warm Winter's Day". In accordance with my etiquette of an über-nerd I had immediately to do my thorough research on this talented girl's all previous musical happenings. To my surprise and also to my disappointment I discovered Miss Valentine was also responsible for "Peanut Butter" one of the most charming pop songs in 2012 which I sadly didn't include in my "Best of" ranking. Here they both are now sounding delectable when played back to back. A real treasure.

P.S. That remix by Moon Boots is unbelievably good!
P.P.S. Both songs are generously given away as free downloads on Alison Valentine's soundcloud.

Warm Winter's Day by alisonvalentine

Alison Valentine - Peanut Butter (Moon Boots Remix) by Moon Boots

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "EVERYTHING IS EMBARRASSING (Twin Shadow Remix) - Sky Ferreira /// "SLEEP IN THE PARK (Twin Shadow Remodel)" - Solange

Last year I blogged about these two ladies together as well. Solange's "Losing You" and Sky Ferreira's "Everything is Embarrassing", two exquisite moments in pop music last year, both written and produced by the ultra-talented Blood Orange, came out around the same time and swept me off my feet immediately. This time around both ladies were the inspiration for two supreme remix treatments courtesy of a chillwave hero and a synth-pop enfant terrible Twin Shadow. This musical threesome is rather saucy.

Everything Is Embarrassing (Twin Shadow Remix) by Sky Ferreira Official

Solange - Sleep In The Park (Twin Shadow Remodel feat. D'Angelo Lacy) by Terrible Records

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "LUVVBAZAAR" - SSION

Exactly one year ago I have picked this song as one of 10 best track in 2011. I have been quite fond of Cody Critcheloe and his flamboyant crew for a good few years at this stage. SSION's decadent mélange of electro, punk and dance, combined with extravagant live shows and videos, proved on so many occasions to be superior to pretty much anything that's happening on the pop scene these days. "Luvvbazaar" stands out solidly as the most spectacular moment on their zealously eclectic record "Bent". I've been waiting impatiently for this video for so long and let me tell you it was worth all the wait. Directed by Mitch Moore and Mr Critcheloe himself, the video is a luscious camp feast which could be set in Club Silencio from "Mulholland Drive", it features some dazzling cameos (I spotted my favourite Alexis Blair Penney and Colin Self among others) and has some wonderfully twisted ideas like using that annoying Alicia Keys' New York song I normally loathe. It all strangely make perfect sense together. And once again WHAT A SONG!

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