Press, ALAIN APALOO’s APIPIPO  “Flood Gate”

Alain Apaloo came originally from Togo, West Africian;  a little corner of the country where the

northern part jets out towards the Saharan desert and the southern part reaches down towards

the Gold Coast. The spontaneous musical references hale from 'high-life' music which reigns in near-by Ghana, where Apaloo has spent much of his life.

He feels that his sound has evolved from, his homeland music scene coupled with his education from the Rythmic Music conservatory together with, playing many gigs all over in such venues as the blues bar, Mojo in Løngangsstræde in Copenhagen. Recently he released his second Album. It is no secret that Alain Apaloo as a guitarist, composer and arranger is made of very special stuff.

Through a seemingly shy personality flows a  musical talent of amazingly high quality. The proof can be heard on this most convincing album, which sparkles with, the joy of playing and an attentive

overview, when it comes to the compositional detail in their performance.

Significants partners are saxophonist, Simon Spang-Hanssen as well as flutist, Mariane Bitran. Both are playing a big part in creating a sound, which brings to mind the call of the rain forest ; especially when Ayi Solomon and Mikkel Schnettler sprinkle their imaginative percussions . Ayi has been a steady member of Alain Apaloo’s group with the famous African jam sessions at club Mojo.

On this album we hear a new expressive style of music compared to the more bluesy based performances that Alain has presented in the past. One feels a certain degree of inspiration from for example, Antonio Carlos Jobim in the sound of the vocal harmonies mixing with the flute in the airy "Who I Am", where Apaloo is in the company of the formidable master-guitarist, Kurt Rosenwinkel ; yet some other tracks might recall high-life, but allways with a high level of original identity from the composer .

Apaloo is also a brilliant singer and one is impressed by the attention to detail in this well made album, which is delightful to listen to, every time. A phenomenal album from a now resident, budding world star that with "Flood Gate" has taken a step from promise, into full bloom.

Torben Holleufer. Jazz Special 08/2009.