A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO APOLLO:
The Apollo label is the ambient division of R&S Records based in Belguim. Whilst it has artists who only release on the Apollo label (e.g. Biosphere) it also features releases from R&S artists issuing ambient LP/12"/EP's (e.g. Robert Leiner, Ken Ishii, etc).
Because of this link to the techno material available on R&S, the general style of Apollo releases tends to be ambient-techno. Many releases have beats (usually with low BPMs) instead of tending to the beatless and more minimal forms of ambient music.
Apollo 12" releases have a catalogue number in the form of APOLLO
APOLLO CONTACT
R&S Records,
Limburgstraat 82,
9000 Gent,
Belgium.
Tel: 32.9.224.21.48
Fax: 32.9.223.73.73
Artist Information
This contains some brief information (where known) about some Apollo artists.
APHEX TWIN
The Aphex Twin is Richard D. James from Cornwall, England. Richard has recorded under many aliases (AFX, Polygon Window, The Caustic Window, etc) but the Aphex Twin is his most familiar pseudonym. "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" was released following a number of R&S releases ("Analogue Bubblebath Vol.1" and "Xylem Tube EP"). The Aphex Twin has now signed to Warp Records but still releases material on his own RePhleX label.
BIOSPHERE
Biosphere is Geir Jenssen from Tromsoe, Norway. Before his Biosphere project, he was a member of Norwegian band Bel Canto. After he left Bel Canto in 1990, he released some 12"s and an album (which has recently been re-released) under the alias of Bleep.
CABARET VOLTAIRE
Cabaret Voltaire are Richard H. Kirk and Stephen Mallinder, although most of the input for "The Conversation" LP was provided by Richard. Cabaret Voltaire have an extensive background as part of the early industrial/electronic scene but "The Conversation" signals a different direction; similar to the material that Richard H. Kirk is releasing as solo projects. Richard has released his "Virtual States" album on Warp recently as well as recording under the alias of Sandoz.
THE FIRES OF ORK
The Fires Of Ork are Geir Jenssen (Biosphere) and Pete Namlook, owner of acclaimed electronic label Fax +49-69/450464. As well as the 12", this collaboration also produced an album "The Fires Of Ork" which was released on Fax records as well as on Apollo.
THE IRRESISTABLE FORCE
Better known as top ambient DJ Mixmaster Morris, The Irresistable Force has released material both on Rising High and with Pete Namlook on Fax +49-69/450464 under the collaboration name of "Dreamfish". The Apollo album was also released on Rising High, under the title of "Flying High".
KEN ISHII
Ken Ishii is from Tokyo and has released most of his unconventional electronic music on R&S. "Deep Sleep" is (currently) his only release for Apollo but he has a retrospective LP on R&S ("Innerelements") which features selected tracks from his many releases on R&S and also Apollo. His R&S releases include the acclaimed 2x12" pack "Garden Of The Palm", "Pneuma" and also his new "Tangled Notes" 12".
JAM & SPOON
Better known for their trancey-pop material "Right in the Night" and "Stella", Jam & Spoon curently have a big deal with Epic which resulted in chart success in England and in Europe. Jam El Mar also works with DJ Dag under the name Dance 2 Trance, who also enjoyed chart success with "Power Of American Natives" and "Take A Freefall".
ROBERT LEINER
Robert Leiner is an engineer in the R&S studios in Belgium. As well as releasing material under his own name for Apollo, he is probably better known for his R&S produce under the name Source (e.g. "Organised Noise").
LOCUST
Locust is Mark Van Hoen from England. Although having previous releases, he is probably better known for his engineering and remix work with ambient guitar group Seefeel. Both "Lust" and "Tamed" from "Weathered Well" were also released on the "Skysplit" EP (RS93031) on R&S. He has recently been working with other collaboraters under the name Autocreation on the Orb's InterModo label which culminated in the album "Mettle".
MANNA
Manna are Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby.
BILLIE RAY MARTIN
Billie Ray Martin is the former lead singer with Electribe 101.
MEDITATION Y.S.
The Y.S. part of the name is derived from the authors initials of Yoshihiro Sayaski.
MODEL 500
Juan Atkins is one of the originators of the Detroit techno sound. Juan's early works are now being released as ambient material. R&S recently collected some old Model 500 tracks and released "The Classics" and Juan has also been working on new material with Thomas Fehlmann (3MB with Juan Atkins) which resulted in the "Jazz Is The Teacher" LP.
MOONWATER
Moonwater is Maarten VD Vleuten.
SKETCH
Sketch are the Norwegian duo of Tor Jorgensen and Kai Mikalsen. Their debut album "Reasons To Sway" was produced with help from Geir Jenssen (Biosphere).
SUN ELECTRIC
Sun Electric are Tom Thiel and Max Loderbauer. They have had a few releases on R&S, notably _Kitchen_, their ambient-techno LP. They have worked quite closely with Thomas Fehlmann and also The Orb, both through remixing (e.g. _O'Locco_ on R&S) and also live events.
TOURNESOL
Tournesol are Thomas Gee and Thomas Lynge from Copenhagen, Denmark. They also release Europop material under the name Phuturyme who are currently signed to EMI (Denmark).
TWO SANDWICHES SHORT OF A LUNCHBOX
This collaboration is between David Morley and Andrea Parker.
UZECT PLAUSH
Uzect Plaush is an anagram of the artist Paul Schutze who has recently worked with Scanner.