New Spring Releases

Three new releases from Crammed Discs will be blooming this spring :

MAÏA VIDAL "Spaces ✩ "

After a delightful debut album which won the hearts of fans all across Europe and Japan, young French-American artist MAÏA VIDAL returns this Spring with Spaces ✩, an entrancing new album, full of soaring melodies, arresting lyrics, innovative compositions & daring production.

Spaces ✩ was produced by Maïa Vidal (who also played most instruments, from keyboards & violin to autoharp and clarinet) and Giuliano Cobelli, and mixed in Paris by Yann Arnaud (Air, Phoenix, Cibelle), and in Montreal by Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor).

NYNKE "Alter"

NYNKE comes from Friesland and sings in Frisian, a language with a rich history and a great poetic quality, which is only spoken in the northern part of the Netherlands, and is considered by linguists as being somewhere halfway between English and Dutch.

NYNKE is passionate about all forms of Mediterranean and Latin music, from fado and flamenco to various Latin American traditions. She's created her own "Mediterranean-Frisian" style, inspired by these musical forms she has studied intensively, and sung in her mother tongue. She recorded three albums which became very successful in the Netherlands and earned her both a gold disc, an Edison (the Dutch Music Awards) and a literary prize. She's now teamed up with multiple award-winning Spanish guitarist/producer Javier Limón (Mariza, Buika, Diego el Cigala, Anoushka Shankar) to create this very poetic new album entitled "Alter".

YASMINE HAMDAN "Ya Nass"

YASMINE HAMDAN became known with Soapkills, the duo she founded in Beyrouth, which must have been the first indie/electronic band to appear in the Middle East. The music of Soapkills quickly became the soundtrack to the vibrant, young arts scene which developed in postwar Lebanon, the band gradually acquired an emblematic status and, to this day, Yasmine is considered as an undergound icon throughout the Arab world.

After working with CocoRosie and French electronic music producer Mirwais, she's written and produced this mesmerizing debut solo album in collaboration with Nouvelle Vague mastermind Marc Collin. An elegant, mutant strain of electro folk pop, mysteriously springing from somewhere in the Persian Gulf?… With acoustic guitars, vintage synths, spellbinding atmospheres and Yasmine's multi-faceted, wonderful voice. Yasmine will appear in Jim Jarmusch's upcoming movie, singing a song she wrote for the occasion. [More]

AMATORSKI "TBC"

Here's the debut album by Amatorski, one of the most promising young bands around.

Amatorski was recently described as "the best Belgian act around at the moment" by The Guardian (UK), while Les Inrockuptibles raved about the band's recent show at the Reeperbahn Festival, "extremely classy... refined, delicate, melodic, subtle: the most beautiful concert of the evening". The French magazine went on to compare the band's "absolutely delicious atmospheric pop" to the music of Sufjan Stevens, Portishead and Sparklehorse, and other writers have evoked Sigur Ros or The Cocteau Twins.

Singer Inne Eysermans (who also plays keyboards & guitar), guitarist/vocalist Sebastiaan Van den Branden, bass & keyboard player Hilke Ros and drummer Christophe Claeys formed Amatorski in Ghent, and immediately achieved wide recognition in the Benelux with their self-produced, self-released Same Stars We Shared EP, which contained four exquisite songs written by Inne, and carried by her hypnotic voice.

Inspired by the letters exchanged by Inne's grand-parents during World War II, the EP's opening track "Come Home" conquered the local charts, got airplay on all national radio stations, and was used in a commercial for a famous brand of water.

Then came the TBC album, a beautifully arranged suite of songs which weaves electronic & acoustic ingredients with delicate orchestrations. The album was again created in the band's studio in Ghent, and mixed in London by Darren Allison (known for his work with Belle & Sebastian, Efterklang and The Divine Comedy). The album ascended to #5 in the Belgian charts (a rare feat for a totally self-released album), and earned the band nominations in several categories at the Belgian Music Industry Awards.

The band's two music videos were directed by young up-and-coming Belgian film directors (Wannes De Stoop for The King, and Maria De Gier for Soldier).

"Amatorski" means "amateur" in Polish. The name may possibly be connected to a certain movie by K.Kieslowski.

Amatorski's devoted following keeps increasing after each of the band's mesmerising performances ("Perfection on all fronts", according to Dutch magazine OOR), which beautifully translate the album's dreamy sonic & lyrical universe.

The band has now joined forces with Crammed Discs, who will be giving Amatorski its first international release, with a special double-pack edition of the "TBC" album and the "Same Stars We Shared" EP, due out in early February 2013. [More]

-20% Crammed Discs Holiday Sale !

It is the time of the year for family & friends,

So, we here at Crammed Discs would like to share with you a special offer this holiday season:

20% off of all cds and vinyls.

Share the gift of your favorite Crammed Discs releases !

(offer good until 15 January 2013) [More]

GET READY TO SKIP&DIE

OUT NOW! ORDER YOURS TODAY!

Out now! "Riots in the Jungle", the new album by the sensational new genre-blending band: SKIP&DIE. Available for order at the Crammed Discs Shop.

"Riots in the Jungle" was written by South African vocalist & visual artist Catarina Aimée Dahms (aka Cata.Pirata) and Dutch musician & producer Jori Collignonwhile they travelled through South Africa’s Soweto, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gugulethu, collaborating along the way with some of SA’s most inspiring music makers on the rise. The album portrays their experience of blazing sun, dusty roads, township shacks, cockroaches, skulls, bones and lovebirds. It contains songs in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Spanish and Portuguese.

After an initial string of explosive shows and the release of a limited-edition single on a small Dutch label, garnering SKIP&DIE a devoted following, the pair set out to record a full-length album. Catarina – who has never lost touch with her homeland, where she often makes extended stays – wanted to write and record basic tracks in South Africa. After extensive research, she reached out to a series of young, up-and-coming musicians she wished to collaborate with: rappers, rockers, electronic and tradional artists. SKIP&DIE soon embarked on an road trip in the regions of Capetown, Johannesburg & more, spending a couple of days with each of those collaborators, on their own turf, in order to write/record a track with them.

Catarina and Jori describe this adventure as "a magical experience" which lasted for two months, during which they met and worked with young South African peers such as vocalist Gazelle (with whom they share a common love for intertwining politics and dance music), hip hop crew Driemanskap, rappers Emza & Magebz, experimental rock musician (and BLK JKS collaborator) João Orecchia, the Season Marimba Stars & more.

Initial press quotes

SKIP&DIE make a bolshy good time carnival ruckus thats a bit like a less moany MIA. New single, 'Love Jihad', chucks in klezmer clarinet, all sorts of crazy bass and a clutch of hiccupping vocal stutters that hit the spot nice as ice cream on a blazing sunday SupaJams - UK

A very own and unique sound that is fresh, urban but also in some way very traditional. Definitely a band that is worth the hype which will probably arise soon. Nothing But Hope And Passion - DE

‘Love Jihad’ opens akin to walking through Lower East Side on a summer afternoon with field recordings of birds hiding in the background of duetting clarinets. The mood is quickly ramped up with chopped vocals, carnival weight drums and a wonky synth line sounding like a peak time sound clash between Sinden and Diplo. The pace is relentless with a maximal assault of ideas and sounds creating a thick sonic wall for Cata’s confident vocals to stand upon. It’s rowdy yet never brash with its mix of world club and political lyrics. Beats and Beyond.com

Skip & Die's performance is intensely cool: South African rap, filthy beats and a lot of bass. The prominent front woman Cata.Pirata explodes on stage and spits fire. The audience and admirers certainly appreciate every bit. MIA better watch out! 3Voor12 - NL

Experience the riot for yourself! Now available on our web-shop!

Be sure not to miss their incredible live show at one of their upcoming concerts! [More]

STAFF BENDA BILILI are back with a new album and a new tour!

OUT NOW! ORDER YOURS TODAY!

Crammed Discs is pleased to present one of the most inspiring success stories in the global music scene. Fearless Congolese band STAFF BENDA BILILI are back with their long-awaited follow-up album: "Bouger le monde" or in English: Make the world shake! The band's incredible story was featured in the documentary film "Benda Bilili!" released in movie theatres and on TV around the world , and their first album "Très Très Fort" won several awards.

This new album, recorded once again in Kinshasa, DRC, contains a collection of 11 superb songs, and benefits from the musical transformations which gradually took place during STAFF BENDA BILILI's 350+ shows: the band is louder and rockier and the adjunction of three new members brings richer textures and added excitement to the arrangements: drummer Montana had joined the band right after the recording of the 1st album, lead guitarist Amalphi is a new recruit, and young percussionist Randy (who played with the Staff when he was a kid, and later vanished for a couple of years) is back in force. The album was produced once again by Crammed's Vincent Kenis (of Congotronics fame) who, this time, didn't set up his mobile studio in the zoo, but in the old Renapec studio, where legendary rumba/soukouss stars such as Franco, Tabu Ley, Papa Wemba and Pepe Kalle recorded some of their best work.

According to STAFF BENDA BILILI, "Bouger le monde" ("move the world" or "make the world shake"), refers to several things: their wish to modestly contribute to changing the world, their will to help change their own, local world and their firm intention to get their audiences to get up on their feet and dance!

Experience the magic of rumba-blues for yourself! Now available on our web-shop!

Be sure not to miss their incredible live show at one of their upcoming concerts! [More]

OUT NOW! Jagwa Music & Chicha Libre

Going Bongo Straight from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), here's JAGWA MUSIC: a crew of 8 youngsters playing intricate grooves at breakneck speed on traditional & makeshift percussion, a keyboard player going wild on a battered vintage Casio, and three relentless front persons: two breathtaking, spectacular dancers & a charismatic lead vocalist/MC, belting out songs about survival in the urban maze, unfaithful lovers & voodoo. Catch a glimpse of their unstoppable energy HERE.

Known as Mchiriku, their music derives from popular dance styles, which underwent a mutation when the band adopted low-cost electronic keyboards and their gritty, distorsion-laden sound. JAGWA MUSIC are not only immensely popular in the poor suburbs of their hometown: their electrifying appearances at European festivals such as Roskilde have created a sensation. Some call this "Afro-punk", because of the DIY attitude and the creative use of noise. Some refer to minimal or trance music, to the sexual energy of kuduro & mapouka... Let's simply welcome the advent of one of the most exciting bands around.

Available on disc for the first time in Europe and North America, "Bongo Hotheads" presents the richness of their rhythm based wildness. Buy this incredible recording now at the Crammed Discs store! SOME REACTIONS FROM THE PRESS: "Seriously amazing, multi-rhythmic amazingness being amazing. If Konono are a cup of tea in first class on a high speed train, Jagwa are like being strapped naked to the windshield" (FREQ) "A spirited, exuberant debut like nothing you’re likely to have heard before" (The Arts Desk) "Crazed, urgent stuff, with an incendiary show" (The Observer) ___

Do you know your CHICHA?

From gritty backwaters and backrooms, from retro equipment and deceptive nostalgia, the multi-national mixing pot of Brooklyn, NY's CHICHA LIBRE (featuring members of Si Sé and Combustible Edison) returns with Canibalismo, an expression of the edgy craving that is fueling a pop rethink around South America and causing a stir in the rock-tired indie scene.

This album of originals, while tackling obscure mathematics and psychedelic inventors, takes its cues from Peruvian chicha, a style that put surf guitar, rainforest psychedelics and Andean flavor to a cumbia beat with open-minded exuberance. CHICHA LIBRE has learned from and teamed up with the unsung mad geniuses of the music—such as Ranil and Los Shapis, who were featured on Roots of Chicha— then taken it as a springboard to join the international stream of tropical experimenters from Colombia to Argentina.

Canibalismo, now available at the Crammed Discs online store, solidifies the exotic sounds and eclectic chemistry of CHICHA LIBRE. [More]

New Releases!

Crammed Discs Holiday Gift Packs !

INTRODUCING CRAMMED HOLIDAY GIFT PACKS: 3 albums for 20 euros !

We have packed together 3 albums from your favourite artists! Simply choose any of the following Gift Packs below.

Each pack has a special price of 20 € ( = 18£ / 28$) So order yours today ! [More]

AUTUMN 2011 RELEASES

(1.) 'Kinshasa Succursale'by the Belgo-Congolese artist BALOJI. (2.) 'God Is My Bike' by Euro-American songstress MAÏA VIDAL . (3.) 'The Last Werewolf' by English, antique-beat THE REAL TUESDAY WELD (4.) 'Pelao' by Colombian party band LA CHIVA GANTIVA (5.) 'Megafaun' by Americana popsters MEGAFAUN.

(1.) 'Kinshasa Succursale' Is the second full length recording by BALOJI. It is more than a follow up album, it is a completely new departure for the artist. Originally born in Lubumbashi in the south-eastern portion of the Congo, BALOJI immigrated to Belgium with his father at the age of four. His eternal quest for self-identity came to light when we spoke with his mother for the first time in 24 years. He knew he had to go back. This recording is the fruit of his return voyage to his motherland. The CD is now available for pre-order!

(2.) MAÏA VIDAL uses violins, accordion, guitar, percussion, toy instruments and her distinctive, moving voice to compose and arrange her own unique music. She blends modern, confident songwriting with shades of old world melodies, and takes us on a journey that is at once sweet and painfully honest, yet never loses its sense of wonderment.

(3.) THE REAL TUESDAY WELD album 'The Last Werewolf' takes Glen Duncan's novel as the backdrop for a widescreen emotional cabaret tailor-made for the iTunes generation. For the album is both a high-concept soundtrack plus a diverse playlist for the eclectic of ear and heart, all held within the band's own genre 'Antique Beat'. The book's themes of violence, friendship, transformation, London, love and betrayal are recast as a suite of songs bound together by voices and readings from the text.

(4.) “Pelao” (which equally means “kid”, “hairless”, or even "broke"), the first full length recording by LA CHIVA GANTIVA, includes 11 titles, sung in Spanish, French, and sometimes in a strange mixture of the two languages. In addition to other subjects, the lyrics seek to deconstruct the clichés that circulate about Latin-American cultures.

(5.) For 'Megafaun', their 3rd, self-titled, mature and inspired album, MEGAFAUN's impeccable songs and heavenly vocal harmonies are enhanced by the band's limitless sonic inventivity. The record unfolds in a million directions, moving beyond the back porches of Americana into wholly new and uncanny sonic territory, where gorgeous, earthy melodies blossom into unsettling time signatures and swirling electronic soundscapes. [More]

Crammed Discs 30th Anniversary Sale

That's right, The discs below are marked down by 30% (or more)! Some of them are now sold for as little as £3.99 or £1.99!

These discs are available for a limited time at this special price. As an added bonus, if you buy 2 of these albums, we will offer you one of first two albums in the "Mr Crammed series" of compilations, which explores the gems of our back catalogue:

Either Crammed Walks With The Animals - A visit to songs and artists that feature our furry (and not so) friends or Crammed Goes To The Movies - Tracks written for or inspired by films.

Plus:

Order 5 discs and receive both compilations! That makes for a lot of quality music as autumn approaches !

Enjoy the sounds and best wishes, Crammed Discs [More]