LA MURPHY SAGA CONTINUES: "INCAPABLE" + Top 5 Crooked Man/Róisín Murphy Collaborations

The luscious "Incapable" was hinted at across a number of online vinyl stores for quite some time during last year. The enigmatic house stomper never saw the light of day until its super limited, almost secretive underground 12" release last December with neither artwork nor any mention of Róisín Murphy herself or its legendary producer and owner of the Bitter End label - Crooked Man aka Dj Parrot. The Irish Dancefloor Empress, as I like to call her, has collaborated with Richard Barratt, her Sheffield pal, under many of his mysterious aliases for over 2 decades at this stage but the impossibly sultry "Incapable" might be one of their most accomplished joint forces to date. Following a clear success of the White Label vinyl, the epic diva-house anthem now gets a wider digital release. Soon-to-be your indisputable Saturday night essential, if it's not it already.

Stream and download "Incapable" HERE!





Top 5 Crooked Man/Róisín Murphy Collaborations

5 "In sintesi (The All Seeing I Remix)" (2014)

4 "Narcissus" (2017) [from "Lives Through Magic" compilation"]

3 "Jealousy (House Mix)" (2015)

2 "Feel Up (Salt City Orchestra Wednesday Mix)" (1999) [Spook feat. Róisín Murphy]

1 "Simulation" (2012)

Tweet

SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: "DEEPER" - Todd Edwards & Sinden + Top 10 Greatest Todd Edwards Remixes

On the occasion of the release of Todd Edwards' brand new club anthem, the oldskool flavoured, piano-led house stomper "Deeper", I am revisiting his entire (and endless!) catalogue of remixes, cherry-picking the ones I adore the most. "Deeper" featuring Sinden is out now via Defected!



Top 10 Greatest Todd Edwards Remixes

10 "No To Love (Todd Edwards Remix)" - Jessie Ware (2012)

9 "Crazy Love (Todd Edwards Discofied 2000 Remix)" - Mj Cole (2000)

8 "Running Low (Todd Edwards Remix)" - Netsky feat. Beth Ditto (2014)

7 "Love Shy (Todd Edwards Vocal Mix)" - Kristine Blond (1997)

6 "Techno Disco Tool (Todd Edwards Remix)" - Mella Dee (2018)

5 "The Day (We Fell In Love) [Todd Edwards' Liturgical Mix]" - Appaloosa (2009)

4 "Sacré Français! (Todd Edwards Re-Create Mix) - Dimitri from Paris (1998)

3 "Sure Thing (Todd Edwards Deepline Remix)" - St Germain (2001)

2 "Tomorrow (Todd Edwards Extended Club Version)" - Kim English (1999)

1 "Pure Pleasure Seeker (Todd Edwards' Pleasure For Your Life UK Vocal)" - Moloko (2000)

Tweet

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "DARKEST HOUR" - Sevdaliza

Sevdaliza. One of the most unique, uncompromising and exquisite talents in the world right now. With every next release being a thrill, I would like to highlight in particular the magnificence of her latest offering, the mesmerising "Darkest Hour". The initial, ascetically minimal piano-led production gradually builds up to a haunting, multi-layered synth-pop wonder, bolero style. It already sounds as confident and powerful as some of Sevdaliza's most accomplished works to date such as "Shahmaran", "Human" or "That Other Girl". And that recitation in Farsi in the very last seconds of the song, the cherry on top! A new masterpiece. We are not worthy.





And here's a reminder of Sevdaliza's previous songs I consider masterpieces in my muso books... 

Tweet

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "NOBODY'S FOOL" - Cherushii & Maria Minerva + "S/T" EP

The marvellous and instantly captivating "Nobody's Fool" is one of 7 collaborative tracks between the Estonian avant-garde electronic musician Maria Minerva and her partner in "leftfield house" crime San Francisco underground club producer Cherushii who was one of the tragic victims of the 2016 Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse fire...  One can't help but listen to this exquisite EP with a sense of deep sadness and nostalgia in spite of its songs balancing blissfully between dancefloor-friendly territories of synth-pop, deep house and house. It's a legacy of Cherushii's undeniable creativity and a testimony to the beautiful friendship and artistic partnership between the pair. The vocal version of "Nobody's Fool" is a true explosion of beats, samples and vocal hooks, echoing some sweet early 90's Deee-Lite vibes. Quite possibly the greatest track I have heard so far in 2019... 

"After two years of working to finish the project amid a difficult grieving process, Minerva releases her album with Cherushii via 100% Silk on Feb. 15. Titled S/T, it offers a glimpse into the new, exalted house-pop direction Cherushii was reaching for before her passing." we read in the official press release. 

"S/T" is out now on all digital outlets as well as on 12" via Bandcamp. 

Here are some of my other favourite tracks from Cherushii's vast back catalogue of underground gems:

Tweet

SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: "HELLO HAPPINESS" + Top 20 Greatest Chaka Khan Singles

Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan! To celebrate the release of Chaka Khan's brand new single, the immediately captivating "Hello Happiness", heralding the arrival of her first solo album since 2007, I have compiled a very special list. Spanning across over 4 decades of funk, soul, R&B and a multitude of exhilarating collaborations, here are the top 20 Greatest singles from the Chicago born living musical legend.




TOP 20 GREATEST CHAKA KHAN SINGLES:

20 "Everlasting Love" (1977) [with Rufus]

19 "Eye to Eye" (1985)

18 "Clouds" (1980)

17 "Heed the Warning" (1981)

16 "Watch What You Say" (1995) [with Guru]

15 "I Know You, I Live You" (1981)

14 "All Good?" (2000) [with De La Soul]

13 "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop the Street" (1985)

12 "Through The Fire" (1984)

11 "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" (1981)

10 "Never Miss The Water" (1996) [with Me'Shell Ndegéocello]

9 "Love You All My Lifetime" (1992)

8 "Sweet Thing" (1975) [with Rufus]

7 "Papillon (Aka Hot Butterfly)" (1980)

6 "Any Love" (1980) [with Rufus]

5 "Like Sugar" (2018)

4 "Ain't Nobody" (1983)

3 "I Feel For You" (1984)

2 "I'm Every Woman" (1978)

1 "This Is My Night" (1984)

Tweet

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "NAKED CITY" - Glass Candy

The ever so prolific Johnny Jewel and his muse Ida No, the pair behind the cult Glass Candy act have just shared their brand new song "Naked City" which had premiered earlier on today during Chanel Spring 2019 Collection fashion show. Italians Do It Better confirmed the long-anticipated track to be officially released in January 2019. This is Glass Candy's first new material since their hypnotising cover of Herb Alpert's "Rise" back in 2014 promising some more sweet surprises for all the Glass Candy devotees to follow next year...

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 FUTURE ANTHEMS: "MAQUILLAGE" - Corine

Our most favourite French disco chanteuse Corine is back with yet another stellar single heralding the arrival of her most anticipated debut album scheduled for 16 November. We're expecting a hedonistic avalanche of synth-pop and nu-disco in a vivacious aura of all sounds kitsch, camp and coquettish. The glamorously retro-chic "Maquillage" is on a par with Corine's previous singles such as "Pluie Fine", "Pourquoi Pourquoi" or her alluring duet with Juliette Armanet "Épopée Solaire". J'adorrrrre...

Tweet