Artist Details: CRAMMED DISCS

Crammed has released over 250 albums and 250 singles by artists from all over the world, ranging from Aksak Maboul to Bel Canto, Carl Craig, DJ Morpheus (& the Freezone series), Eddie Fowlkes, Flat Earth Society, The Gruesome Twosome, The Honeymoon Killers (let's skip some letters) ... to Snooze, Suba, Tek 9 & 4hero, Zap Mama, Hector Zazou and Zuco 103 ...

Crammed's sub-labels have included the Made To Measure composers' series, world music collection Cramworld, electronic music imprints SSR, Language & Selector, and Ziriguiboom, a collection devoted to new Brazilian music. Nowadays, Crammed would like to believe that borders between genres are no longer indispensable, so most releases tend to come out under the simple "Crammed" banner.

Crammed's current roster includes Konono N°1, Cibelle, Koçani Orkestar, Taraf de Haidouks, Bebel Gilberto, Balkan Beat Box, DJ Dolores, Tuxedomoon, Shantel, Kasai Allstars, Think Of One, Mahala Rai Banda, newcomers Lonely Drifter Karen & Allá, and more.

KASAI ALLSTARS

A music video to announce new album

‘Olooh, A War Dance For Peace’ heralds the release of the first album in four years by the mighty collective from the DRC Congo. Shot outside of Kinshasa and directed by Patrick Zoom, the video (and the song) refers to an ancestral custom in certain villages: when a problem occurs between some inhabitants, they look for a peaceful solution by performing a specific war dance, bearing weapons in their hands. It's a dance which used to signal the end of hostilities, and serves nowadays to solve conflicts.

Titled 'Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound’, the album sees Kasai Allstars enhance their exhilarating trance music by blending in some intricate, self-made electronics beats with their customary array of guitars, traditional percussion, distorted thumb pianos etc.

The album was produced by Allstars guitarist Mopero Mupemba, who also wrote half of the songs, including ‘Olooh’, featuring wonderful singer Bijou, who recently joined the band and shares vocal duties with the band’s mainstays, Muambuyi, Kabongo, Mi Amor and Tandjolo.

'Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound’ comes out on May 7, on Crammed Discs

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