Gacha Bakradze releases his third album on Lapsus entitled "Pancakes", and while the name may appear conventional at first glance, it actually contains esoteric philosophical concepts.

The Georgian producer perceives the making of pancakes -a transformative and healing parental activity that he loves to partake in with his son- as a metaphor for alteration, metamorphosis and change. A reflection that also accentuates the importance of balance during each process of preparing a simple recipe, which in turn highlights key human attributes such as patience, attention to detail and willingness to adapt to shifting circumstances.

On a sonic level, Gacha’s new album embodies precisely that: the contextual reworking of his music, while maintaining the essence of his previous work. "Pancakes" provides the typically melancholic yet vibrant genetics already recognisable in his music, but also embraces new genres, including his unique and personal take on hyper-pop and trance. It is an album of contrasting elements, where bucolic interludes make way for heavier tracks that are more suited to a club environment, an aural universe that hybridises IDM, electro, bass music and cutting edge techno, and once again demonstrates that trying to pigeonhole Gacha Bakradze's sound is a somewhat fruitless task. More

Gliding across the slipstreams, leaving no frequency unturned, unraveling the tether into the glitter and the gloss. The strata meander, the grooves contract then explode with gusto and grace, the listener transported along through the haze and into a soundscape of such purpose and feeling. Its emotive music at its most enticing, it’s most enigmatic, it’s most surprising…..

If there ever were an artist who defied the notion of labels and embraced the boundlessness of the unknown, it would undoubtedly be Gacha Bakradze, who has taken listeners on the most sublime of journeys through his releases. It’s easier to say his sound is grounded in emotional purity than in one singular genre (or indeed a group of genres), as Bakradze prefers to skirt between the lines, picking up and manipulating the frequencies that persist within the electronic stratosphere. His inspiring technical touch is partnered with a joyous exploratory nature, guidance that has seen him put very few feet wrong as he swerves between a multitude of styles and genres. From his now-fabled releases on the legendary Apollo label, through to his deeply thought-provoking LP efforts on Lapsus, along with a number of astonishing EPs on imprints such as Cin Cin, Best Works, Fever AM and more, Bakradze always finds room to involve the listener with his world – so that the two can grow more fond of each other. The bond that Bakradze crafts with his music to the people who come into contact with is undeniable, as his journey caresses the ground and points in so many directions – it’s simply a matter of seeing It reach out and surprise us once again. No matter what mood you find yourself in, his music gives as much as it takes, a bountiful relationship that only serves to expand your mind and make you feel like you’ve never felt before.

To provide a space for Bakradze to bottle his magic should be at the top of the list for many a label, and Oath has looked to do just that with ‘Forget’. The five trackers has the hallmarks of whatever you might define as his ‘classic’ emotive hallmarks, but with plenty of dynamic motifs thrown in for good measure that provide the listener with that sense of progression – not to mention the expertness in his craft, which is evident throughout. ‘Shifting’ kicks things off, with a quietly involving arpeggio providing the basis for the kicks and gorgeous piano leads to come into play, and by the time the bass notes come into play, there is already that engrossing feeling coming to the surface. It’s a subtle electro kind of vibe, gentle and swaying but with a hefty dollop of energy that surfaces through the breaks and the swerves. ‘Lake’ continues onwards with another delicate arpeggio getting things going before ascending into a deep, diverse and expansive scape indeed. The energy swerves, grows and rises from top to bottom, ensuring the journey feels like it has no end – the gorgeous key line that lands itself within the higher ends around the mid-way mark seals the deal.

‘What You Say’ starts in a similar manner, swirling and growing whilst also not giving much away in terms of the tempo – this is smashed as the kicks come in heavy. Whilst the previous efforts displayed a gentler side to proceedings, this cut is all about the bass and the fuzz, filling in the gaps between the ever-shifting rhythmic structure as the dance is guided toward euphoria. ‘Form’ lands next, and this one builds upon the vibrations of the last number and runs off with it. This one creates this dark and dubby atmosphere, one where the dancers are contorted, the emotive elements stripped back which keeps the rhythm in charge, and we are all for it. To wrap things up, we have ‘Broken Wing’, which meanders back into the softly undulating territory of the first couple of numbers. Bakradze brings the arpeggio motif back into view, his soft touch applied also to the drums as they quietly grow into the mix, as the two layers intertwine beautifully and with a true sense of purpose. Its a fitting end to a record that provides so much, an effort that pours over itself to continually find new methods of wowing, and you leave the experience feeling like you have listened to four EPs in one. A truly remarkable statement from one of dance musics most enigmatic producers.

Gacha Bakradze has also looked for a greater meaning in his music, be it in terms of sonics, scope or indeed how everything flows and meanders from one source to the next. This latest EP on Oath is no exception and stands tall as yet another piece of significance to flow from his fingertips. His ability to weave the listener into a world filled with such beauty and rhythm is remarkable, the music eager to envelop and allow you to explore to your heart’s content. It creates a bond that is strong from track and by the end, it is unbreakable. So go on, wrap yourself around this absolute stunner…. More

Repress!
Hailing from Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, Gacha Bakradze is one of the national scene’s leading electronic music exponents. He returns to Lapsus Records with his new album 'Obscure Languages', his second release for the Barcelona label.

Following the superb LP 'Word Color' [Lapsus Records, 2018], which appeared in several ‘album of the year’ lists for publications such as Pitchfork and XLR8R, the prolific producer now presents 'Obscure Languages'. This new piece of work could well be described as a sound continuation from his previous album and maintains a powerful narrative at its core.

‘Obscure Languages' delves into the world of cinematic soundscapes, replete with microscopic details and fragments that showcase a luscious IDM style audio palette, laced with ambient, avant-techno, bass and sound design. More

With this new release Best Works Records presents a new multi-talented dj and producer from Georgia, Gacha Bakradze. This 4 track EP is not the typical club record but a mind stimulating piece of music. It opens with « Drift », a track where rhythm and beats are melting down in a pot full of warm flowing sound- scapes, then goes into more hypnotic lead sounds with the second track « Golshifteh ». On the B-side you’ll find a techno infused remix from Berghain’s resident Norman Nodge, elevating the original track « Drift » to a real dancefloor bliss. The last track « Tiresome Walk » takes us on a sweet journey through playful melodies and laid-back rythmics, he delivers a majestic slow burn, crafting something that would serve well both as a stirring set opener or an emotional end. More

Romanian composer and DJ, Ada Kaleh, reveals a more intricate and textured side to his compositional dexterity, releasing a new album ‘Nodus Tollens’ on the legendary ambient label, Apollo Records. Composed and recorded between 2010 and 2020, ‘Nodus Tollens’ finds Ada Kaleh departing from the confines of minimal house and techno, and instead exploring the many facets of ambient electronica and minimalism. Drawing inspiration from minimalist artists such as Steve Reich and Terry Riley, four expansive compositions are offered up, each one transcending the boundaries of dance music dogma, and focusing on natural free-form rhythms; meditative and healing frequencies intertwine with special textures, resulting in soothing psychedelia. Questioning the linear nature of time, each production guides the listener though whirling soundscapes, DMT realms and time loops, creating an aural safe space in which to explore. Propelled by a passion for 60’s & 70’s spiritual jazz, afro-beats and other psychedelic inducing textures, Ada Kaleh describes these musical endeavours as Quantum Techno. Across two slabs of 12” vinyl, and four distinct passages and states of time (Future, Past, Present and Entropy), ‘Nodus Tollens’ is a seamless listening experience that heralds the development of the composer’s musical journey, which has to date afforded magnetic releases for labels like Dialogue, Rawax, R&S Records and his very own Ada Kaleh Romania imprint. Sleeve artwork on thew album comes courtesy of the super talented artist Anca Popa, now based in Cape Town after a move from her native Romania. More

Apollo / R&S are delighted to welcome back The Primitive Painter, aka the duo of Roman Flügel and Jörn Elling Wuttke for a timely reissue of their 1994 lost classic self-titled album of sonorous IDM More

Apollo are delighted to welcome Steve Legget & Mark Hand to the fold with their lush new single ‘If You Cannot Try’ featuring the dulcet vocals of Greg Blackman. Originally released as an uplifting bumping house track on Ramrock Records Blackman sent the stems of the release to longtime collaborator Steve Legget for a rework. Legget tore the original to pieces, deconstructing it into a much more ambiguous form. ”I’ve never been a fan of a chorus in a song,” Legget muses. "I like songs that are not direct that leave room for your imagination - Mark and I ended up building a new song around the texture of the original.” Hand and Legget met in the early 90s at the Northern College of Art in Middlesbrough, and have collaborated at various times in the intervening years, through a shared love of Detroit techno, experimental electronic music, jazz and funk. Their creative process involves sending audio files back and forth - “The release was written in collaboration over the internet Greg in Colchester, Mark in Hartlepool, and me in St Albans." Hand added spaced out textures and riffs from his collection of vintage Fender Rhodes and classic synths - taking the track into sunny space funk realms that comes on like a lost release from joe Claussell’s Spiritual Life label or Basic Channel jamming with Herbie Hancock. Using their new version as the seed - Hand decided to try his own ’Teesside Techno’ version - "I wanted to give the track more of a 'machine funk' vibe with my rework” he explains. “I generally like to work by jamming with hardware - the bass line is generated by triggering the arp on my Juno 6..using triggers from a TR606 kick drum and hats replaced by a TR909.. the result being more of a jackin' electronic funk mutation!" This continuing game of musical pass the parcel has indeed born some juicy fruit - as Legget summarises "Our version started as a rework, but then Mark's is a rework of the rework, its all very meta!" More

Apollo Records present a masterpiece of ambience and beyond – ‘Calypso’ – the stunning new album by Venetian maestro Gigi Masin.
The LP is inspired by the mythical Greek island of Ogygia and its alleged real life counterpart Gavdos – also known unofficially as Calypso – a place of extreme beauty, which upon visiting had a profound effect on the musician. More

Synkro handpicks three great producers to remix tracks from his ‘Images’ album. Claro Intelecto has been releasing consistently on point deep techno and electro since 2003. His remix is perfectly equipped for dancefloors in 2020. Sad City represents R&S offshoot Meda Fury with a trademark hypnotic beatdown workout and Apollo label mate and collaborator Sieren ramps up the emotions for his remix of the title track. More

Apollo are delighted to welcome the return of Australia duo Albrecht La’Brooy AKA Sean La'Brooy and Alex Albrecht with their blissful new album 'Healesville' recorded in a mud-brick hut on a strawberry crop in the Melbourne countryside.
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Apollo welcome Metalheadz veterans Om Unit AKA Jim Coles and Kid Drama / Jon Convex AKA Damon Kirkham for a 4 track EP of blissed out autonomic dnb. the duo originally met on the DJ circuit, Coles had been a longtime fan of instra:mental, Kirkham's pioneering project with Alex Green AKA Boddika More

Apollo proudly presents the return of SW, joined by partner SVN for a sublime 6 track EP. SW's lush sound design and hypnotic arrangements of 2017’s ’The Album’ had hearts and minds swooning following it’s license from SUED to Apollo. It’s balmy glory won over Pitchfork ('deeply expressive debut album’ 8/10), Rolling Stone (best electronic albums 2017) and XLR8R (Best releases 2017) amongst many others. One year later, SW and SVN have gone into the studio, together; “to make some original music specifically for Apollo. The results are the 6 tracks on this EP,” they share in a typically taciturn statement. Taking inspiration from the iconic house and techno of the mid / late 90s - SW and SVN combine dreamy melodies and mesmeric grooves with unfussy, focussed minimalism, their beguiling, modern take on classic sounds and rhythms remains thrillingly unique and elusive. While SW and SVN are more comfortable out of the limelight, this 6 track EP for Apollo once again proves that they are rightly worthy of the hype that swirls around them.

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An all time classic originally released on the Visions Of The Past album (Apollo 1994). Released on 12” single for the first time. Re-mastered by Matt Colton. Includes a superb new remix/edit from Edward. More

Following the release of Synkro AKA Joe McBride collection of his formative early works earlier this year, Apollo Recordings is proud to present a brand new EP that draws on the rich heritage of library music. Despite having come up during the dubstep era McBride’s music has always resisted easy classification - ‘Hand In Hand’ sees him shift his musical focus in a yet more cinematic direction. McBride explains : "The record was inspired and influenced by my love of electronic 80's UK library records like the Chappell AV series, Bruton, Soundstage & De Wolfe Music library. There’s a lot of synth work that carries on from my album using my trusted Juno-6 / SH101 / JX8P combo with the addition of drum samples via an old akai S2800 I purchased recently. Most sounds I've made from scratch on hardware based on sounds used in the library records I mentioned above along with a few cheeky samples." Synkro's signature expansive atmospherics are still very much present, but now they have been burnished by soaring synth pads and pulsing drum tracks that call to mind the haunted melancholy of John Carpenter or contemporary such as Legowelt or Andy Stott. Rhythmically ‘Hand In Hand’ sees McBride moving somewhat away from his usual off kilter programming inspired by 2-step and garage, embracing the steady pulse of 4:4 which turns out to be an effortless fit. More

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. More

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. More

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.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. More

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. More

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. More