APOLLO BROWN Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Detroit beatsmith Apollo Brown is in a class of his own and makes instrumentals like few others. This is his first new record in eight years and is another masterclass in sampling that has made him a favourite with fans, peers and critics alike. He often has a concept for his albums and for this one it is about peace and balance and as such it has something of a more organic feel that previous works. There is melancholia in the air on 'Clouds' and uncertainly but hope to 'Nervous Goodbyes' while 'Escapism' has an electronic synth sound that comes with a textbook drum break over the top.

Review: Detroit producer Apollo Brown and maverick Buffalo MC Che' Noir have come together to create a new album that draws on their backgrounds in two of America's mostly famously failed cities. Brown brings his usual soul-drenched and head-nodding beatmaking style - the same vibes that have seen him work with the likes of Ghostface Killah and Danny Brown and become a key part of the scene. Che' Noir on the other hand has worked alongside Benny The Butcher, Kool G Rap, and Fred The Godson and here tells some vital stories that take you behind the curtain and up and down city streets, dodging gunshots, hunting for missing fathers and generally trying to game the system.

Review: The names Apollo Brown and Planet Asia evoke a rarefied set of expectations. The raps are as hard as galvanized steel. The syllable placement is meticulous and intricate. The beats bang: simmering in a soulful but warped inferno. They are maestros of raw and unalloyed hip-hop: full of as much grit and craftsmanship as anyone to ever incinerate a microphone or master an MPC. After all, high standards are essential. Sardines is curb-checking minimalist hip-hop: sharp, efficient, and well-executed as a guillotine chop. No wasted bars or rhythmic excess. Just poetic verses and night-time vulture vibes. Apollo sums it up best: it's "dirt, grit, mud, sticks, stones, all that. Leave your boots on." The title's name is a flip on their revered first album. Like sardines, anchovies are a love it-or-hate it proposition. It's not for everyone, but if it's for you, it's laser targeted to your interests.

Review: New York emcee Hassaan Mackey (Rawkus 50) delivers sharp, unfiltered lyricism, packing rhymes with onomatopoeia and raw street wisdom. Set to blackout beats by Detroit producer Apollo Brown (The Reset, Brown Study, Gas Mask, Clouds), we've the ideal backdrop here: deep bass set to the the crackle of well-worn vinyl. The result is a record on which we're given much more than our Daily Bread. Lyrical picturebooks of faded spirit photographs return like plasmic ghosts, each booing line steeped in a mood of eerie reckoning. Atonement lingers in every note, experience weighs heavy, yet a fierce hope burns through.

Review: After years of parallel journeys in hip-hop, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo unite on The Easy Truth. It's a collaboration that fuses Detroit's raw production with NYC's lyrical grit, with Skyzoo delivering sharp narratives about ambition, urban struggles, and resilience, while Apollo Brown's beats provide a dark yet soulful backdrop. The LP features guests like Joell Ortiz, Westside Gunn and Conway, digging deep into themes of struggle and survival. This release captures the essence of classic hip-hop, with each track unfolding as a powerful statement on life's hard truths.

Review: This release sees acclaimed producer Apollo Brown team up with Journalist 103 and DJ Soko to form The Left, a project that paints a vivid sonic portrait of Detroit, highlighting a journey through the city's soul and rust-riddled soundscapes that evokes a sense of urban grit and resilience. Brown's production is masterful, layering lush piano melodies over haunting samples and dusty drums. Journalist 103's narrative wordplay adds another dimension, his insightful lyrics weaving tales of struggle and triumph against the backdrop of Detroit's urban landscape. DJ Soko's cuts provide the finishing touch, adding a dynamic energy that keeps the momentum flowing. With guest appearances from Detroit heavyweights like Guilty Simpson, Finale, and MarvWon, the reissue is a powerful and evocative tribute to the Motor City, a must-listen for fans of hip-hop and anyone who appreciates soulful, cinematic soundscapes.