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.
Skeletons tour Europe & give away TWO tracks
The fascinating Brooklyn/NYC band plays 7 shows between Oct 11 and 18…
…to support their recently-released album "People", which was acclaimed by European & US press alike (see quotes below).
Skeletons and Crammed Discs are giving away free mp3s of two tracks, captured live at Glasslands, Brooklyn by the good folks at NYC Tape:
* "Paint Over It", an epic 14-minute rendition of a previously-unrecorded track
* "Wal-Mart and the Ghost of Jimmy Damour", a live version of the song from the 'People' album (it's one of the tales written by Matt Mehlan & based on true stories read in the papers).
Just click here to access the download page for these tracks.
Skeletons October tour dates :
Oct 11: Utrecht (Netherlands), Ekko - with The Luyas and Zun Zun Egui
Oct 12: Rotterdam (Netherlands), Worm - with The Luyas
Oct 13: Paris (France), Petit Bain
Oct 14: Duedingen (Switzerland), Bad Bonn
Oct 15: St. Gallen (Switzerland), Palace
Oct 16: Berlin (Germany), Hebbel Am Ufer 2 - with Lucky Dragons
Oct 18: Gent (Belgium), Cafe Vooruit
In other news:
- Skeletons leader Matt Mehlan has recently taken an essential part in the Congotronics vs Rockers project. Alongside Deerhoof, Konono No.1, Juana Molina, Kasai Allstars and Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Matt was a member of the collaborative ensemble which performed 16 fantastic shows in ten countries across Europe and Japan
- Matt Mehlan has also recently had the pleasure of being commissioned by the Brooklyn Philharmonic to write a string quartet, which was performed at the Brooklyn Museum. He's now rumoured to be working on a full orchestral piece….
- Also, don't forget this intriguing video for "More Than The One Thing" : 
click HERE
From the press on the Skeletons album "People"
Skeletons drink from a similar pool of inspiration as fellow New Yorkers Dirty Projectors and Animal Collective, although as with both these bands, they don't strictly resemble any one thing, exactly. People reveals them to be a peculiar chimera of influence, blending Afro-pop, Krautrock and jazz fusion with unlikely ease. (Uncut, UK)
"People" gives the impression of redefining the contours of rock, no less.
(Pop News, France)
A quintessential New York amalgam, guided by a fluttery art-jazz shimmer, a minimalist aesthetic, a grab bag of post-punk grooves and those disjunctive melodies currently turning the underground into a 12-tone headlock… a mix of circular rhythms and Graceland-gone-avant cheer (The Village Voice, US)
A dense, challenging listen, one that’s grounded in reality and ever so more compelling as a result of it. (Pop Matters, US)
"People" is beauty without perfection. This album is a masterpiece. A powerful and already seminal sonic maelstrom which alludes to the dissonances of Schoenberg, the rhythmic passion of Fela Kuti, the shadow of Can, the acoustic introspections of John Fahey, and a spirit shared with Animal Collective (…) … an amazing stage presence and passionate live presentation of their music… (Magic, France)
