Sub-labels
Because of the diversity of the label's output since its early days in the '80s, its founders chose to create several sub-labels. This policy was discarded during the latter part of the '00s, because Crammed felt that genre-blending had finally become acceptable.
- Made To Measure
A composers' series specializing in instrumental and ambient music, soundtracks and works commissioned for films, ballets etc.. Notable artists are: Hector Zazou, Arto Lindsay, John Lurie and Fred Frith. 36 volumes were released between 1984 and 1995.
- SSR
Launched in 1988, this electronic music label was A&R'd by DJ Morpheus (aka Samy Birnbach) and Marc Hollander. 47 albums and numerous singles were released, ranging from early new beat to downtempo, techno, house and hip hop, by artists such as Snooze, Juryman, Carl Craig, Tek 9, DJ Morpheus, Kevin Saunderson and Telex. SSR is short for Sampleur & Sans Reproche.
- Language
This 'avant dance' sub-label was A&R'd by Tony Thorpe (aka The Moody Boyz). 10 albums and 22 singles/EPs were released between 1995 and 1999, by artists including Buckfunk 3000 (Si Begg) and Circadian Rhythms (a band led by ex-This Heat member Charles Bullen).
- Ziriguiboom
Launched in 1998 in collaboration with Brazilian A&R/Producer Béco Dranoff, Ziriguiboom's aim was to present original and as-yet-unexposed aspects of Brazilian music to international audiences. It quickly became one of the global hubs for the new wave of Brazilian music, and has brought Crammed its biggest commercial success to date with Bebel Gilberto's debut album Tanto Tempo (which sold one million units worldwide). Ziriguiboom also signed and released albums by artists such as Celso Fonseca, Cibelle, Zuco 103, Trio Mocotó, Bossacucanova, DJ Dolores, Apollo Nove and the late Suba.
Crammed also had several specialized and one-artist sub-labels:
- Cramworld (for contemporary and archival world music releases)
- Selector (specialized in drum and bass)
- Cramboy (for Tuxedomoon's releases)
- Furax (released Belgian comedians Les Snuls)
- The Congotronics Series
Currently the only subsiding Crammed Discs imprint, Congotronics is not a sub-label per se, but a collection of releases by Congolese bands who play their own respective styles of electrified traditional music (such as Konono No1 and Kasai Allstars). The series is curated and produced by Vincent Kenis.
Read more about this topic: Crammed Discs