Dinky - Valor (CRMCD033)

'Valor' tells a deeply personal narrative for Chilean born and Berlin based DJ and producer Dinky, made during a period where her life was in danger, her sixth album acts as a pinnacle to her steadfast and illustrious career and brought on a momentous change to her personal journey.

Esteemed for her decade long DJ residency at Berlin's imfamous Panorama Bar and past productions on labels such as Cocoon, Visionquest and Crosstown Rebels, Dinky AKA Alejandra Iglesias is a trained classical guitarist, singer and keyboard player. Her voice is an anchor to 'Valor', it's crisp definition loaded with intensity.

Tracks such as the driving single 'Casa' called out by US giants NPR for it's 'gorgeously layered vocals' and the fragile layers of guitar and synths on cuts like 'Milk' make bold unions between electronics and Dinky's live instrumentation. 'Valor' is undoubtedly a feminine creation, yet speaks with a power and strength of a woman with a clear sense of direction and flows with a subtle energy of potent potential.

'Valor in Spanish means "courage" but it's also the first letters of both my sons Valentin and Orlando combined', explains Dinky. 'This album is a personal journey through motherhood and pregnancy as an artist. My life took an 180 degrees turn after my first son was born in 2014. I was labelled a high risk, and with the new pregnancy again in 2015 with my younger boy I was ordered to stay in bed for more than 3 months, otherwise the risk of losing him was too high. My husband built a studio for me in the corner of our bedroom, he took care of everything and I just tried to stay as quiet as possible. Every little pain or movement I dreaded losing my son'.

'At the beginning I felt completely depressed lying in bed staring at my belly but I decided to challenge my energy and write this album. I wrote it in a total pregnant state for my husband and sons, by the time I was 8 months I could barely sustain notes and my singing was a little rusty but it was personal and came from an important part of my heart'.

Damian Lazarus and Dinky have been friends for many years, leading to many singles and compilations on his Crosstown Rebels label in the past. 'We have worked together on some pretty special projects in that time, but this new album is by far the most exciting yet. Combining her beautiful voice and expert musical knowledge and ability, she has delivered her most captivating and beautiful music yet, music that transcends genre, that takes you to a place that only a woman with her creativity and abstract yet familiar musical thought patterns could deliver. This really is a special moment for me and for Crosstown Rebels to be lucky enough to release such a unique and special record'.

Tracklist:

1. Casa

2. Cut

3. Lackers

4. Milk

5. Shooting Bodies (Acid)

6. Slowly

7. Valentino

8. Wait

9. Wakame

Released: 30/09/2016

Cat#: CRMCD033

Distribution: Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Dinky - Casa (CRM163)

Chilean born and berlin based Dinky has forged a solid and illustrious career over the past decade. 'Casa' announces her new album set for release on Damian Lazarus's Crosstown Rebels this autumn, with remixes from Axel Boman and Satori.

A trained classical guitarist, singer and keyboard player that has held a DJ residency at Berlin's infamous Panorama Bar since 2004, Dinky's sixth album, also titled 'Casa' will be the first since the birth of her two children. 'Casa is an acid vocal love song. It translates as house in spanish, not because it's a house album but because it was recorded in my house in Berlin whilst I was pregnant with my second son. I had to stay home (mainly in bed) for months due to a medical risk. Those were very scary times for me and my family as we were told we could lose him. It was a such difficult journey but I decided not to get down, but to channel my energy into writing music.'

Dinky's delicate vocal on 'Casa' is both uptempo and spacious, with infusions of acid, leftfield and electronica in its veins. Axel Boman delivers a stunning, emotive and epic nine and a half minute dub version, overlaid with spoken words samples referring to lost experiences. The Swedish born producer is much-lauded for his releases on DJ Koze's Pampa, Permanent Vacation and his own imprint, Studio Barnhus, formed with Kornel Kovacs and Petter Nordkvist of Border Community. While the hedonistic take from Satori

takes 'Casa' up beyond the horizon. A future Crosstown Rebels artist, Satori  has released on 8bit Records, Under Your Skin and Bla Bla Records.

'For me it's a very honest project and Damian loved it so I was more than happy to work with him again. Dinky enthuses on the long friendship that they have shared. 'After taking a few years of intense touring, I felt ready to tour again and release my sixth album. Many of the songs were written for my sons, my husband, motherhood, love and also things that were happening in the world at the time'

'Casa' sees a return to form for Dinky and a welcome return to the Crosstown imprint, after releasing a single and a mix album for the pioneering label.

Tracklist:

1.Casa

2. Casa (Satori Remix)

4. Casa (Axel Boman Dub Mix)

Released: 08/07/2016

Cat#: CRM163

Distribution: Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS