Website Express Milwaukee mentioned that the desire to concentrate more fully on making music rather than releasing it was at the heart of the decision and Mueller’s final words were indeed consiliatory and greatful rather than bitter and spiteful: “Even those simply reading these messages took part in something that consumed a big part of my life, and for that, I thank you. Those that supported the label by buying releases, I can't thank you enough, and hope you've enjoyed them as much as I have.”

The upcoming end of Crouton will mean that no new titles will be added to the label’s catalogue and previous publications will not be re-printed, effectively turning Robert Haigh’s “Written on Water” album into the last entry. Orders will still be taken for remaining stock, however, which includes the regular, carefully packaged CD editions as well as some Vinyl gems, such as “Die Enttäuschung”, a fulminant meeting between Axel Dörner, Rudi Mahall; Jan Roder and Uli Jenneßen.

In the decade of its existence, Crouton had established itself as an unpredictable source of high-quality releases from the field of Improvisation, Jazz and experimental Sound Art, managing to stay clear of any narrow genre associations. Another important aspect to Mueller’s philosophy was the close link to the visual arts, with albums like Raymond Dijsktra’s “Maskenstilleben” constituting dauntless cross-border efforts.

Homepage: Crouton Music