SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "ANIMAL" - Onuka

Ukraine's most sophisticated musical export - Onuka is back with a brand new album "MOZAЇKA" which takes us on a fascinating journey into the sonic landscapes of the underground electronic scene of Kyiv with a vibrant palette of Ukrainian folk instruments. The multi-layered "Animal" stands out immediately upon first listen to Onuka's 2nd studio album. Its live reinterpretation featuring The NAONI Orchestra (The National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine) is the ultimate feast for all the open-minded and thrill-seeking World music lovers out there. Onuka has fast been building a cult following not only across Eastern Europe but also the entire continent following their mind-blowing performance at the Eurovision Song Contest last year also known as the greatest ESC interval act to date.





And for that spectacular medley performance mentioned above...

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SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "ENTA ARABI" - Kabreet

Continuing my New Year's resolution about posting more songs from the lesser explored corners of the musical world, I give you this truly captivating recording from the Berlin based Yemeni/German duo Kabreet. "Enta Arabi" comes from Ibi Ibrahim & Hanno Stecher's freshly released debut album "Momken Bokra" which you can stream and purchase on Bandcamp. The elegant composition mixes some traditional Arabic instruments with minimal electronica in a subtle way. With its understated melody, nostalgic vocals and the unquestionably melodic aspect of the al-ʿArabiyyah, "Enta Arabi" is a real treat not only for those already partial to Middle Eastern sounds.



Here's the video for the equally seductive title track taken from Kabreet's first LP:

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "FOREST ROADSIDE" - Thomas Gaist

I have had a soft spot for this Danish underground crooner since the very first time Sound of Copenhagen introduced me to his Bowie-esque otherwordly masterpiece "Blue Bird" he'd released under the disguise of Thom Catt. Rather than chasing any musical trends or fashions, or following any sonic conventions Thomas Gaist chooses to go his own, truly individual artistic path denying any genre or style-categorisation. The artist's first proper single "A Coward's Confession" was one of the most mesmerising songs that emerged in 2015 and now the curiously talented and ever so slightly mysterious Dane beguiles us with "Forest Roadside" - a low-key yet enthralling slice of electronic folk filled with classical guitar and low frequency electronic drums, Björk's "Headphones" style. No other male vocalist, bar Jaakko Eino Kalevi and Shaun J. Wright, kept me so intrigued this year. I am once again truly stunned by your sounds Mr Gaist.

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LA MURPHY SAGA CONTINUES: "UNPUTDOWNABLE" [Video] - Róisín Murphy

Róisín Murphy continues to inspire and amaze, this time self-directing the third consecutive music video in her wondrously bizarre saga promoting the newly Mercury Prize nominated album "Hairless Toys". The final album track, the charmingly old-fashioned, quasi-folk, "sweet love song" as she describes "Unputdownable" herself, gets a surreal video treatment including multiple costume changes, La Murphy's inescapable aura of absurdity, fascinatingly complex visual narration and apparently a whole bunch of her friends in various cameos.

"A ridiculous concoction,
a trailer for a dream
With special thanks to those dear friends who were foolish enough to be in it" - as she introduced the video earlier on her Facebook page.



Róisín Murphy is set to be gone soon rehearsing again for the autumn leg of her fabulously theatrical "Hairless Toys" tour which is quite possibly reaching a city near you in November. Check out all the dates HERE. And for a taster of current live shows here's a bunch of her recent TV performances:

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "THE ODYSSEY PT. 1" /// "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" - Chungking + Top 10 Greatest Chungking Songs

Brighton dream pop connoisseurs, the exquisite Chungking have been producing vivid soundscapes floating between synth pop, cosmic disco, modern folk, psychedelic soul and trip hop for  almost13 years already. Their latest record "Defender", quietly announced last winter with "Sapphire", grew to become one of the strongest contenders for 2015 album of the year. Both "The Odyssey pt. 1" and "Beautiful World" come as fitting examples to Chungking's legacy in excellent pop songwriting, affluent instrumentation and colourful array of styles, moods and genres, their signature gift.





Inspired by "Defender" I went on a sentimental journey through Chungking's entire back catalogue to create this very subjective list of their greatest songs to date:

10 "ANGEL EYES" (2003)

9 "SAPPHIRE" (2014)

8 "STAY UP FOREVER" (2007)

7 "COME WITH ME" (2003)

6 "CAN I GET YOUR LOVE" (2015)

5 "STAND BY ME" (2015)

4 "BUBBLE LOVE" (2002)

3 "MAKING MUSIC" (2003)

2 "SLOW IT DOWN" (2007)

1 "VOODOO" (2005)

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "COLOR DECAY" - Júníus Meyvant

First of all apologies for quite a long break from me caused by both lay-out changing malarkey and some technical glitches (hope you enjoy the new colours by the way) and the rather poor first two weeks of almost no interesting new sounds around. January blues? How about January folk? Straight from the genre I almost never explore on my carousel but this new Icelandic vocalist is pretty irresistible. Júníus Meyvant's lush "Color Decay" is as perfect as one can imagine a perfect song. Beautifully crafted melody, impeccable production and that wonderfully cosy old-fashioned vibe. Once again some captivating music from the land with the most talent per capita.

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "SAPPHIRE" /// "MAKING MUSIC" - Chungking

I can't quite believe it's 11 years since I fell in love with Chungking's music. The very first time I stumbled upon their ethereal "Making Music" flowing somewhere mesmerisingly between Goldfrapp's "Felt Mountain" and Burt Bacharach's evergreens, it immediately stole my heart. I closely followed all of the Brighton duo's happenings but Jessie Banks and Sean Hennessey treated us to only 2 full albums all through the years. Some of my favourite POP moments of the past decade belonged to Chungking, the exhilarating "Voodoo", Richard X produced "Slow It Down" or their delicate debut single "Bubble Love" to name just a few... Now the band returns as a trio (with Ben Townsend) with a subtle "Sapphire" - an elegantly produced slice of Chungking's very own, stylish take on folk music. Cosmic disco folk is what they'd rather call it. What a delight to have them back!

"Sapphire" is out now on iTunes.

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SHREM'S NEWBIES BUT TO-BE'S: "RIVER" - Ibeyi

"Daughters of the great Cuban percussionist Anga Diaz, the twin sisters of IBEYI quickly seduced the producer of Asa's albums. Lisa-Kaïndé plays the piano and sings. She's only 21 but her voice evokes the greatest ones. Her sister Naomi backs her vocals and plays percussions. They write their own material in Spanish, French or English." This is the info I gathered about the enigmatic Cuban sisters based in France from their official Facebook page. Ibeyi's "Oya" EP truly is an alternative delicacy, balancing mysteriously between the electronic soul, unconventional folk from the unidentified lands with some tribal beats to spice things up even more. Truly original and with this haunting video "River" will most likely stay with you for long!

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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"!

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "ANNABEL" - Goldfrapp

We're only days away from the release of Goldfrapp's long-anticipated 6th studio album "Tales of Us". This song promises even more of a "Felt Mountain"'s style cinematic atmosphere and comes with this subtle short film directed by Alison's partner Lisa Gunning. I tend to call such magnificent tracks "melodies from heavens above". A marvellous vocal performance from Miss Goldfrapp, superbly elegant string arrangements and once again THAT gorgeous melody. Goosebumps! I know I will be getting my copy of "Tales of Us" in this deluxe box set edition.

Goldfrapp: Annabel on Nowness.com

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SHREM'S TRIP-HOP RETROSPECTIVE: "KAZDOURA" - Soapkills

ARTIST: Soapkills
TITLE: "Kazdoura"
RELEASE DATE:  2002
LABEL: Self Released (Lebanese Underground)
LOCATION: Beirut, Lebanon
ALBUM: "Cheftak"

soapkills band ♥ kazdoura by Dr.3ezz

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SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Unde O-fie Puiul de Aseara" + "As munci la plug si coasa" - Romica Puceanu

Romina Puceanu - the queen of Roma music and an astonishing interpreter of urban lăutărească music in Romania. One of the most unusual and breathtaking vocals I have ever discovered browsing through archives of music.

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS... "Blue Jeans" - Lana Del Rey

The "Gangsta Nancy Sinatra" is here with song number 2. I must admit it didn't blow me away as much as her monumental "Video Games" a few weeks back, but it certainly keeps me on my toes wondering what will debut album sound like... Additionally to her rather unique talent and spectacular voice, Miss Del Rey is also entirely self-sufficient both musically and visually (including the video for "Blue Jeans"). I am so intrigued by this girl...

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SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "YA RAYAH يا الرايح" - Dahmane El Harrachi دحمان الحرّاشي

One of the most cult Arabic songs in the history "Ya Rayah" was initially released by the Algerian chaabi singer Dahmane El Harrachi back in the 1970's. It's been much loved and re-interpreted all over the globe since. Here's the enchanting original recording that always gives me goosebumps. Timeless!



2 DAHMANE EL HARRACHI - Ya Rayah by Chaâbi

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