SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Tell Me (Doko Mien)" - Ibibio Sound Machine

Our favourite London based Nigerian collective Ibibio Sound Machine continue to deliver some of the freshest sounds in the crossover of so-called world music and electronica. Their very own signature hybrid of afro-beat, electro, post punk and West-African funk creates soundscapes like no other out there. It'll be precisely 2 years since the release of their previous LP "Uyai" when Ibibio Sound Machine drop their brand new album "Doko Mien" via Merge Records on 22nd March. The title track serves exactly the kind of pick-me-up explosion of vital beats, synths and dancefloor-friendly energy we all need to cure these January blues.

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Asembi Ara Amba (Henrik Schwarz Version)" - Y-Bayani & Henrik Schwarz

The magnificent slice of Ghanaian reggae "Asembi Ara Amba" by The Polyversal Souls feat. Y-Bayani gets an impossibly addictive remix treatment by the mighty Henrik Schwarz. The German dj and producer has previously hypnotised us with his epic mix of Amadou & Mariam's joyful "Bofou Safou" which landed at #2 among my Top 20 Best Remixes of 2017 list. Another fantastic cross-over club track combining African influences and House music to an astonishing effect.

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

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "THE POT IS ON FIRE" - Ibibio Sound Machine

This time last year, I was also inaugurating another year of my über-nerdy blogging with a post dedicated to my Worldly Delights thread. It was DiHaj's electronic take on an Azerbaijani folk song "Gecələr Keçir" in January 2016, and this year it is an explosion of Afro beats and the electro funk courtesy of Ibibio Sound Machine. The Nigerian collective is announcing the release of their 2nd album "Uyai" with this enthusiastically upbeat first single "The Pot is on Fire". Fronted by British/Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine serve a vivid blend of West-African funk, disco, soul, post-punk and electro grooves, making them a truly idiosyncratic act on the global scene of so-called World Music. "Uyai" is out via Merge Records 3rd March.

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "The Talking Fish (Asem Usem Iyak)" + "Let's Dance (Yak Inek Unek)" - Ibibio Sound Machine

Ibibio Sound Machine have just released their debut LP through Soundway Records which already spoiled us with Débruit & Alsarah's fascinating record last year. Fronted by British/Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams, they combine elements of West African highlife, disco, post-punk & psychedelic electro soul. All sung in Eno's mother's South-Eastern Nigerian Ibibio language too to spice things up even more. Here's the album's pulsating first single "Let's Dance (Yak Inek Unek)" and my personal favourite "The Talking Fish (Asem Usem Iyak)". Global grooves at their most delectable.

Tweet

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"!

Tweet

SHREM'S ACADEMY OF ALL TIME BEST SINGLES: "DOUBLE DUTCH" - Malcolm McLaren & The Ebonettes

RELEASE DATE: 1983
CHART PEAK: UK #3, IE #7, NZ #10, DE #14

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Alkoan Baladi الكون بلدي" - Débruit & Alsarah

I've heard this absolutely stunning track playing in one of the cafés last weekend in Brick Lane, East London. It is very fitting I was to discover this stimulating fusion of electronica and Arabic vibes in such a multi-cultural and cosmopolitan spot. I did use Shazam to find out about this up & coming collaborative project Débruit & Alsarah. Soundway Records will be releasing their debut album "Aljawal" on 11th November and it's shaping to be a feast for all the "Orientophiles" like myself. "A modern, haunting take on Sudanese music heard through the sonic lens of French artist / producer, Débruit and the poetic, ethereal lyrics and melodies of Sudanese-born singer Alsarah" as we read on the label's official press release. This intriguing album, aptly named "Aljawal" - "The Traveller", reflects Alsarah's extraordinary journey between the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum where she was born, Yemen where she relocated with her family and finally Brooklyn where she resides now. It also reflects a sonic excursion she ventured on accompanied by Débruit. Based on this incredible first track "Alkoan Baladi" I am sensing a sensation similar to "Arabology" by Y.A.S. when Soapkills' Yasmine Hamdan joined efforts with Mirwais Ahmadzaï back in 2009. Can't wait!

Débruit & Alsarah - Alkoan Baladi ٩. الكون بلدي by Soundway Records

Tweet

SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "RUDE BOY (Eli Escobar Remix)" - Jogyo

This Jamaican/Gabonese duo has just delivered one of the most original tunes in 2012. The track itself emerged first in 2011 but now with a little help from the amazing Eli Escobar, "Rude Boy" is making its way across the blogosphere with the song's barking-mad mish-mash of dancehall, electro and reggaeton. It is an exotic explosion of throbbing rhythms, in-your-face beats and sound effects. Loud, brazen and huge!  



And here's last year's original version of this berserk single, follow JOGYO now on their Twitter:

  01 Rude Boy by JOGYO

Tweet

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR" - Jam Nation /// "MOGOYA" - Donso

Two pieces of top class world music. First up the traditional Irish "She Moved Through The Fair" re-interpreted Asian style by Peter Gabriel's protégés Jam Nation on their world fusion debut album in 1993. Then we get French-Malian Afro-Beat boys with their 2010 "Mogoya". Vibrant vibes indeed.

Jam Nation - "She Moved Through The Fair" by SHREM

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Yègellé Tezeta" - Mulatu Astatke

COUNTRY: Ethiopia
RELEASE DATE: 1969

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "N'WAGEZANI MY LOVE" - Zinja Hlungwani

Browsing through FACT's delicious selection of top 100 best tracks of 2010, I came across this amazing piece of South African electro from the critically praised compilation "Shangaan Electro" - Fever Ray's Karin Dreijer's favourite album of last year. After falling in love with Tanzania's Mim Suleiman phenomenal album with Maurice Fulton, I didn't expect to discover something so special from the African dance scene so soon. My top tune at the minute big time!

Tweet

SHREM'S 50 WOMEN OF HIS LIFE: 49 - Cesária Évora

49 - Cesária Évora



COUNTRY: Cape Verde



FAVOURITE ALBUM: "Café Atlantico"



TOP 10 FAVOURITE SONGS:
10- "Ausencia" (with Goran Bregović)
09- "Partida"
08- "É Preciso Perdoar" (with Caetano Veloso & Ryuichi Sakamoto)
07- "Terezinha"
06- "Nho Antone Escaderode (Kerri Chandler Mix)"
05- "Angola"
04- "Bondade e Maldade (Yoruba Soul Mix by Osunlade)
03- "Embarcação" (with Kayah)
02- "Miss Perfumado"
01- "Carnaval De São Vicente"

DISCOGS

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS

With that weather outside there could have been only one artist I mention on my blog 2day... Cabo Verde's very own national treasure Miss Cesaria Evora... It's never too late 4 a bit of carnival:-)



ARTIST: Cesária Évora
TITLE:"Carnaval De Sao Vicente"
RELEASE DATE: 1999
COUNTRY: CAPE VERDE

Tweet

SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS

Just thought of a brand new thread 2 please your ever hungry ears;-) In this series I shall be presenting u with some musical treasures coming from all corners of the world... So here's 2 start a little something all the way from Maghreb:



ARTIST: AMINA ANNABI
TITLE: "Belly Dance"
RELEASE DATE: 1989
COUNTRY: Tunisia

Tweet

SHREM'S INSTITUTE OF LOST CLASSICS PRESENTS... I'M READY - Sidiku Buari

Ghanaian Disco classic dated 1978 the year I was born...

Tweet