It's such a thrill that Dj Alinka agreed to put together this vibrant list of her top party tracks especially for SHREM'S CAROUSEL OF ÜBER NERDINESS. Along with one of the club scene's most prolific vocalists - Shaun J. Wright, they continue to inspire with their unstoppable series of quality house records. The pair bonded over their shared love for house music back in 2012 and launched their very own, Chicago based label Twirl Records soon after. I have featured many of Alinka and Shaun's singles on my annual "Best Of" rankings: "Love Inspired" in 2013, "Wait For Love" + "Journey Into The Deep" in 2014 and "It Keeps Turning" + "Love Songs" in 2015 to name just a few. I had Shaun J Wright guest-appear in the very same "Perfect Party Playlist" thread before so I'm even more delighted Alinka found time to submit her playlist between remixes, her new solo and collaborative releases and frequent dj sets! Thank you!
Cajmere is my ultimate! Too many Cajual tracks to choose from but this one was always a favorite.
2. Nice & Wild - "Diamond Girl"
Lots of summertime Chicago moments with this track.
3. The Daou - "Surrender Yourself"
For the dancers!
4. Alejandro Paz - "Duro (Diegors Un Poquito Mas Dub Version)"
I’ve played this almost every set for the past year, love Alejandro Paz and Cómeme.
5. Talking Heads - "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)"
This song seems to come on whenever anything significant is happening in my life and I usually close my eyes and dance like a lunatic, sometimes in tears, always free.
6. Hercules & Love Affair - "Athene"
I used to watch this Pitchfork session at my office job when I had no idea what I was going to do with my life and was super bummed out and not really making music. It was the first time I felt like I could relate to anyone making music that I loved. It sort of saved my life. Two years later I met my best friend Shaun J. Wright and my whole life changed, and here we are today.
7. 33 1/3 Queen - "Searchin'"
Found this record when I was going through my collection packing up to move to Berlin, fucking brilliant!
8. Fockewulf 190 - "Body Heat"
Classic!
9. Mr. Lee - "I Can’t Forget"
Literally can’t forget this song ☺
10. Shaun J. Wright & Alinka - "Love Inspired"
Shameless self promotion. The first track we did together, and still one of my favorites.
Solange Piaget Knowles surprised us all last week with the arrival of "A Seat at the Table" - her most anticipated 3rd studio album and a follow up to her glorious 2012 "True" EP which included one of the greatest POP singles of the decade so far - "Losing You"... "A Seat at the Table" is an impressive concept album, possibly her most ambitious and accomplished body of work to date, and a very current lyrical and music statement, reminiscent of Lauryn Hill's cult "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill". Solange described the new album as "a project on identity, empowerment, independence, grief and healing".
Now the American alt-R&B singer songwriter continues to inspire with not one but two brand new videos promoting the record: "Cranes In The Sky" - a Raphael Saadiq penned neo soul odyssey and the sublime "Don't Touch My Hair" featuring Sampha, a track which was co-produced by Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio). Both videos were co-directed by Solange herself and her artistic and real life partner Alan Ferguson. Miss Knowles is serving the ultimate visual and sonic feast for us this week.
One of the Queer Hip Hop movement's most prolific figures, the multi talented Cakes Da-Goodie Goodies-Killa is about to release his debut album "Hedonism". The record is promoted by an explosive collaboration between Da Killa and Peaches - the explicit club-ready hip house anthem "Up Out My Face". This undeniable club banger was produced by Jeremiah Meece, known for joining forces with another avant-garde rap aficionado - Mykki Blanco.
