Apollo Vinyl, CD & Tape 20 Artikel

Apollo proudly presents a full release of the stunning debut album released by SW. SW's lush sound design and hypnotic arrangements nestles snugly alongside the classic 90’s Apollo releases of Biosphere and Robert Leiner in all their balmy glory.Originally issued on vinyl only via SW’s own SUED imprint, this Apollo re-release represents something of a coup in that it’s the first of the label’s music to ever be presented digitally. As a label, SUED has formed a reputation for releasing some of the most vital and sought after contemporary dance-floor vinyl, from both SW and SVN, as well as collaborations and comradeship with other analogue obsessed auteurs such as Dynamo Dreesen (who teams up with SVN as Dresvn), DJ Sotofett, DJ Fett Burger, PG Sounds and Club No-No, AKA Snorre Magnar Solberg.Ensconced in his studio in South West Germany, SW creates in isolation, exploring textures, dreamy melodies and mesmeric grooves within laid back 4/4 structures. ‘The Album’ was the first time anyone had experienced his music over a long player format and allowed SW to delve deeper into his influences.In addition to the aforementioned sublime electronica 'The Album’ also takes its cues from the iconic house and techno of the mid / late 90s - SW manages to fuse these influences together to create a beguiling, modern take on classic sounds and rhythms that remains thrillingly unique and elusive. Resident Advisor bestowed a rare 4.5 out of 5 on the record, describing it as ‘a lesson in how to put together a dance music album'Despite his comfort residing in the shadows, SW’s stunning debut album richly deserves the exposure that this broader release on Apollo should rightfully bestow.

Apollo proudly welcomes the return of Gacha Bakradze (now recording under his full given name) to the fold with the ‘We Must Be Woods' EP, five stunning tracks which represent his finest work since his debut Apollo LP ‘Send Two Sunsets’ in 2015. This has already been a great 2017 for Bakradze, with stellar releases on Fort Romeau’s Cin Cin label and his own Transfigured Time imprint.Georgia born Bakradze’s music is a cinematic combination of beguiling melodies, exotic instrumentation and oceanic drones. Crafted in the autumn of 2016 ‘We Must Be Woods' sees a maturation and deepening of his sound - deftly programmed rhythms on vintage drum machines, eastern percussion and breakbeats underpin aching synth pads and gooey sub bass. Bakradze explores a range of tempos and moods, playing and recording kalimba, guitar and piano, weaving them into a captivating aural narrative which manages to both soothe and stimulate the imagination.Gacha’s ability to effortlessly fuse the the warm chords of Detroit techno and UK bass sounds with the dense atmospherics of shoe gaze, and the crumbling, analogue euphoria of krautrock is only growing with each release and should set expectations sky high for his forthcoming LP on Apollo later in 2017.=

Following Synkro AKA Joe McBride 2015’s stellar debut album ‘Changes’, Apollo Recordings is proud to present a collection of his formative early works.This 12” sampler follows the 17 track album which was released on CD and digital formats only.The A-side contains three tracks from the 2CD set and the B-side has three tracks from this period that are previously unreleased but that are in high demand amongst Synkro fans.

Apollo / R&S are proud to present a compilation album of a series of classic EPs of timeless vibes and lush percussive excursions from overlooked Japanese innovator Mr YT AKA Yuji Takenouchi.The 'Brand New Day’, ‘Southern Paradise’ and ‘Parfum’ Eps were originally release between 1997 - 1998 on Apollo Records and R&S sub-labels Generations and Global Cuts.Over the intervening years, the EPs' heady blend of atmospheric pressure, balmy pads and deep grooves has percolated, gathering fans across the globe, to the point where original copies are in high demand on the secondhand market.Created in the late 90s on a hardware set up of Roland Super Jupiter, Roland JV1080, Roland D550, Yamaha TX81Z and Akai S1100, Takenouchi was burning with inspiration from the sounds of Ron Trent and Chez Damier, Basic Channel, House of 909, Ian Pooley and Carl Craig.A video game musician by profession, Takenouchi was used to producing music for specific scenes / sequences - starting from scratch had him baffled. Deciding to set a theme or concept for each EP proved to be the breakthrough he needed, a day of new environment for 'Brand New Day’, yin and yang for 'Southern Paradise’ and imaginary fragrances for ‘Parfum'. Looking at pictures related to each of these themes helped to fuel his creativity while producing.From the sun dappled balearic haze of opener ‘Morning’ to the blissed out bump of ‘Afternoon’, the gauzy euphoria of ‘Ocean In Heaven’ to the cosmic funk pulse of ‘Regard’, the music contained in the 'Brand New Day’ compilation remains as timely and relevant as the day it was released and should see Mr. YT appreciated alongside the likes of the US and European producers who first inspired him.

Apollo proudly presents the ‘All The Keys Are Here’ EP, Sebastian Mullaert’s beguiling debut on the label following collaborations with Mathew Jonson, Eitan Reiter, Aril Brikha and Ulf Eriksson, as well as releases for Hypercolour, Drumcode, Mule Musiq and Kontra Musik. While most well-known historically for his widescreen melodic techno as one half of Minilogue, Mullaert’s compositions for ‘All The Keys Are Here’ draw on a lusher, more organic palette of sounds, thrumming with intimate inner vibrations. Originating from piano based improvisations, these four musical excursions embrace simplicity through repetition and sparse arrangements that make for an ecstatic, enveloping listening experience.Sebastian’s studio sessions and live performances take influence from his Zen spiritual practices and meditative techniques, with inspiration provided by the serenity and simplicity of the forest close to his home studio in the majestic Röstånga woods (next to Söderåsen National park)“I really believe that when someone is perceiving art, that person is in a way equally creative and part of the creation as a person playing an instrument, or performing or composing the song. Because it’s in this very moment in the consciousness where the experience of the art is taking place...” – Sebastian MullaertSebastian's strong desire to explore new sonic territories is rooted in his background as a classical violinist and pianist, which he had set aside to explore the deep and meditative potentialities of the dance-floor / techno music.A recent highlight of this evolution was his 2016 live collaboration with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich in Switzerland (known for their boundary pushing work on bridging the divide between classical and electronic). As part of this memorable event, a number of Mullaert's tracks were orchestrated and reinterpreted for a six-piece chamber group, (harp, piano, violin, cello, clarinet and French horn). Indeed two of the tracks featured on ‘All The Keys Are Here’; “Every Moment I Am” and “Earth Blossom” were part of the concert repertoire.‘All The Keys Are Here's shimmering sonic panoramas perfectly summarise this exciting new chapter in Sebastian Mullaert’s ongoing musical journey and partnership with Apollo.

Popcorn classic on the original looking labels with original flipside.

A software engineer at Ableton by day, Sieren’s love for UK influenced bass music and field recording and experimental soundscaping resulted in his Apollo debut ‘Static Polymorphism’ a masterly EP of spaced out street-rave soul. Now returning with the five track Ascension EP, Frick has tightened and toughened up his sound somewhat (see the caustic bass glower of ‘Slinger’), augmenting his starry eyed wonder with a firmer percussive underpinning and more driving tempos. However still present are his preternatural grasp of emotion and atmosphere that marked him out as one to watch - perfectly underscored by the heartbreaking beauty of the title track.Fellow Apollo cohort Synkro AKA Joe McBride was instrumental in the curation of Sieren’s debut Static Polymorphism EP on Apollo, hand picking the tracks, as well as road testing them in his DJ sets. This time McBride goes one further, collaborating with Frick on the track ‘Lost You’ to memorable effect - the beautiful pads and ghostly piano are a perfect synergy of their complimentary skill sets. This is richly textured and intricately programmed post-bass music that is sure to satisfy fans of Burial, dBridge, Akkord with its soulful sincerity and warmth.

Apollo collect rare highlights and new productions from the desk of Moscow's premier deep house producer. Disc 1 is drenched with the luscious 'Water', his rugged 'Road Trip Song' and the spectral original, 'Fade To What' from his Ethereal Sound releases; Disc 2 features 'Miles and More' from the C.O.M.E compilation on Fred P's Soul People Music label, plus the exclusive beatdown number 'Funky Man' on side A, backed with one of our favourite A. Zap cuts, 'Captain Storm' from his eponymous debut on Underground Quality circa 2008, and finally the beautiful ambient house patter of 'Miniature'.

Apollo proudly presents the debut from Haramia Tapes, a new mysterious side project from renowned Hungarian electronic music producer Laurine Frost.More usually known for his refined techno sensibilities, Frost has packed 'Pfunk' with deftly programmed rhythmic structures and infused it with low slung bass and jazzy textures that make for a sumptuous, enveloping listening experience, ideal for fans of Nonkeen, Jazzanova or Leftfield.'Pfunk' contains seven unique beat sessions - smooth funk, crossed with unique broken rhythms, live drums, bass and found sounds - shot through with cinematic melancholy.From the elegiac piano of opener 'I Am You' to the twisted drunken breaks of 'Pfunk' to the cooled out percussion and spaced atmospheres of 'Hail', or the moody spy-movie atmospherics of Farewell Four - this is an album that traverses a variety of moods and textures, effortlessly fusing traditional instrumentation with modern electronics and a perfect addition to Apollo's beguiling canon of mellowed out grooves.

inc. Max Lodenbauer Remix Apollo are proud to present a stunning new project from NYC / Berlin based artists Soundwalk Collective AKA the trio of Stephan Crasneanscki, Simone Merli and Kamran Sadeghi. Formed in Manhattan to produce concept albums, sound installations and live performances, they create immersive audio excursions from field recordings which they gather from all over the globe - previous works have seen them collaborate with Berghain, Nan Goldin, the films of Jean-Luc Godard and Patti Smith. For ‘Before Music There Is Blood’ they have collaborated with the world’s most prestigious music conservatories (the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (China), The N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory (Russia) and the Conservatorio di Musica S. Pietro A Majella in Napoli (Italy), They entered the hallowed courtyards, corridors and classrooms of these three academies, recorded hundreds of hours of these elite students practicing and rehearsing to the highest standards of virtuosity.“The piece questions what is music, composition, and ultimately what is harmony,” they explain. “It is an attempt to capture notes out of their context - bleeding into each other through the walls, windows, courtyards and alleyway of the conservatory.”These unexpected melodies are the result of an impromptu, anarchic musical composition of all instruments, where composers, centuries and civilisations are echoing each other in one acoustic space - ghostly fragments of conversation, skittering percussive stabs, burbling synthesis, oscillating swathes of droning strings and hushed, gauzy ambiance. Max Loderbauer supplies a stunning rework that lets the sunshine into the hallowed academic halls a percolating iridescent odyssey - A fitting return to Apollo Records for Max Loderbauer who produced a series of classics for the label in the nineties as half of Sun Electric.To give Soundwalk Collective the last word on the topic “Our microphones wondering through the architecture were the silent spectators of the music left behind.”

Strong EP of emotive electronics from Belgian wunderkind on Apollo AMyn AKA Niels Blondeel delivers a 7 track bumper collection of his singular song craft - combining aching melodies with lush, expansive production and sound design.Self taught with a heavy emphasis on sound design and atmospherics, Blondeel’s acclaimed initial dancefloor explorations soon found a more natural fit in the introspective tracks herein, and a perfect compliment on the Apollo roster, nestling alongside the likes of Synkro. The fruits of his labour are now richly delivered on the ‘Best Heard..’ EP.Combining a cinematic sensibility with melancholic harmonics is Amyn’s true gift - witness the slow burn percussive pulse of the opener and title track - winsome vox cruise over the richly woven blanket of synth chords, and gently clanking sound design perc building to a fluttering climax. Other highlights include the desiccated minimal funk of ‘Side Of Golden You’ - soul-burning chords and hazy vocal tones bounce atop the bumping rhythm track, and majestic collab ‘Youniverse’ featuring the dulcet vocals of Alex Nelos, set against AMyn’s shimmering soundscape of synths and percussion. Closing track ‘Turn’ is perhaps the thematic core of the record - an epic electronic torch song, all yearning vocals and skying prophet chords that manages to conjure grandstanding emotion without resorting to needless bombast.Blondeel is always refining his sound - his only goal to evoke emotions through musical storytelling, it’s clear that on that level the ‘Best Heard In Shadows’ EP is a resounding success.

Apollo introduce Sieren, AKA Matthias Frick.A software engineer at Ableton by day, Sierens love for UK influenced bass music and field recording and experimental soundscaping has resulted in this masterly EP of atmospheric street-rave soul. This is his first release since his debut LP ‘Transients of Light, released earlier this year on Christian Lofflers Ki records.Fittingly, fellow Apollo cohort Synkro was instrumental in the curation of the Static Polymorphism EP - hand picking the tracks, as well as road testing them to memorable effect on Berghains hallowed system no less.Neglection opens the release, with billowing widescreen pads, a ghostly 2-step drum figure and pulsing subs, ‘Rebase ratchets up the intensity, with sinister bass drones punctuated by strafing perc and hissing ambiance while ‘Relictss angelic yet melancholic atmosphere pulls the listener in with heart-aching synth washes and whispered female vocals. Closer ‘How To pairs mechanistic slo-mo funk with caustic 808 kicks, muttered vox and juddering bass stabs.This is richly textured and intricately programmed post-bass music that is sure to satisfy fans of Burial, dBridge, Akkord with its soulful sincerity and warmth.

Lahun is a brand new signing to Apollo Records. He previously remixed Milch from Lakker on R&S Records. As well as being a skilful musician and producer he is also a handy DJ who joins the dots between Marvin Gaye, Innerzone Orchestra, Theo Parrish and Jay Dilla - all artists you can hear as influences on this debut EP.Slow Love featuring Sara Garvey opens the EP and signals the intent of Lahun to deliver timeless, soulful music of the highest order. Garvey’s beautiful vocals work perfectly on the dreamy, shuffling sunset beats.Lahun calls in another guest on Mystic Jam Hands with JD73 lending the mystic fingers on Rhodes and synths. Crisp drums and orchestral strings set the scene for another one the head nodders can get lost in.Siriusly and Nana Chan bump up the tempo and bring Lahun’s love of Detroit techno and broken beat to the surface. These are both heavy tracks that orbit the outer limits of the dance and could carry a 12” on their own.

Having forged his career in the dubstep era, with nearly 40 releases to his name, Synkro AKA Joe McBride has always resisted easy classification - his music winds together such diverse influences as Boards Of Canada, dBridge, Burial and neohtrix Point Never, whilst still remaining utterly unique. His trademark warm sonics, and emotive melodies are ever-present in ‘Changes’ - his much favoured vinyl samples being joined on this record by a new found love of analogue equipment.

Apollo Records is proud to present "SOL" the highly anticipatedsecond album from Los Angeles based producer / composer EskmoAKA Brendan Angelides. Inspired by our life giving planetary body,"SOL" is a masterful meditation on human emotional plane as effectedby planetary bodies. Angelides has delivered perhaps his strongestmusical statement yet. Pressed on crisp white vinyl!

Limited to 300 copies! Instrumental Version of 'Carmine' is exclusive to this format.

Cloud Boat aka Tom Clarke and Sam Ricketts are back with their second album following last year's critically acclaimed 'Book Of Hours'debut.

Gacha is a young artist originally from Georgia, now operating in Berlin, this second EP for Apollo Records is an excellent six tracker that fits the Apollo chillout manifesto perfectly.

Includes Old Apparatus remix!