Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks - Extended Edition - Out 19th July

Posted on May 8, 2019 by James



Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks was written, produced and performed by Brian Eno together with his brother Roger and Daniel Lanois. The music was originally recorded in 1983 for a landmark feature-length documentary, For All Mankind, directed by American journalist, film director and screenwriter, Al Reinert. The film featured 35mm footage of the Apollo moon landing with real-time commentary as well as the Apollo astronauts sharing their recollections of the momentous events surrounding it.

A remastered, extended edition of the album will be released on July 19 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This very special anniversary edition - Apollo: Soundtracks & Atmospheres Extended Edition features the original album remastered by Abbey Road's Miles Showell as well as an accompanying album comprising of 11 new instrumental compositions reimagining the soundtrack to For All Mankind.

The music from the original album is highly recognisable and tracks from it have been streamed in excess of 300 million times. Since its release many of the songs from Apollo have found a life of their own, making their way into any number of films, television shows and commercials, most notably Trainspotting, Traffic, 28 Days Later, Drive and Love. "An Ending (Ascent)" was also used in the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois produced the original Apollo album which was recorded at Daniel and his brother Bob’s studio in Hamilton, Ontario. Lanois also collaborated with Eno on several other projects, most famously producing several albums for U2 including the multi-platinum The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby and No Line On The Horizon. Apollo was the first recording experience for Roger Eno who also went on to collaborate on a number of other films with and without his brother and was the springboard to a long solo career of his own. The 11 new tracks on Apollo Extended Edition find Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Roger Eno working collectively for the first time since the original album in 1983. Lanois contributed 3 compositions - Capsule, Last Step From The Surface and Fine-grained while Roger Eno’s are Waking Up, Under The Moon and Strange Quiet.

Comments on the original album:

“one of Eno's most stately pieces……it’s other worldly qualities reflect a mature artist approaching his work with a craftsman’s care and consideration” - BBC Music Online

"At times empty and disconnected ("Matta"), weightless and serene ("Drift") and completely beautiful ("An Ending (Ascent)"), it adheres to an internal logic that culminates with the suitably skin-crawling "Stars” - Pitchfork

“Trainspotting” has one of the very best soundtracks of the ‘90s, and it’s “Deep Blue Day” that sticks out as the most wonderful inclusion in Boyle’s classic” - Consequence Of Sound

2LP 180gram vinyl - Order now
Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks – Extended Version’ is presented here as a 2LP 180gram vinyl set in a gatefold sleeve and includes free download code.

Limited 2CD - Order now
Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks – Extended Version’ is presented here as a limited, numbered 2CD edition with a 24-page full-colour hardcover book.

Standard 2CD - Order now
Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks – Extended Version’ is presented here as a 2CD set.