How to describe someone as eclectic as Apollo Nove ? A modern-day pop Tropicalista à la Mutantes (as indicated by the collaboration of Mutantes lead singer Rita Lee to «Inexplicata»)? A crooner, a songwriter, a pianist, a collector (and convicted user) of over sixty vintage synths, keyboards and effects from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s ? The prime contender for the throne of Most Innovative Young Producer in Brazil (all but left vacant since the great Suba’s death) ? An eccentric who can mention in the same breath Stockhausen, Hawaian music, ‘70s synth wizard Walter Carlos and the ‘Easy Rider’ soundtrack as being among his major influences?... All of these, and much more...

After producing seminal albums by artists such as Otto and Cibelle, after playing with Nação Zumbi, Seu Jorge and hip hop band Planet Hemp (alongside Marcelo D2), Apollo Nove (sometimes also known as “Apollo 9”) has now come up with a wonderful and fascinating debut album, entitled “Res Inexplicata Volans”, consisting of twelve melodious, deep, moody songs whose atmospheres hover somewhere between psychedelic rock, eerie electronica and spaced-out folk... hard to categorize, again, but - as you will undoubtedly experience - very easy to understand with your ears and heart and mind...

To add various shades to his songscapes, Apollo has called upon several players, including three veteran musicians: guitarist Lanny Gordin (who played on many vintage Tropicalia albums), drummer João Parahyba (of Trio Mocotó and Suba fame) and Hammond organ player Juarez Santana, who give the album a definite, organic ‘band feel’, and who will also form the backbone of the Apollo Nove live group. Guest appearances by distinguished young singers such as Cibelle, Seu Jorge, Tita Lima, Holly, Fred 04 and Céu complement Apollo’s own distinctive vocals. Last but not least, the album was recorded in São Paulo by Apollo (in his own Ludwig Van studio), and beautifully mixed in Paris by a kindred spirit: Air sound engineer Yann Arnaud.

Oh, and what is “Res inexplicata volans” ? Well, ever since the Vatican published its “Lexicon Recentis Latinitas” in 1997 in order to adapt the language of the church to modern life, “strip tease”, “pinball machine” and “slalom” have respectively become “sui ipsius nudatio”, "sphaeriludium electricum" and "descensio flexuosa", while “Res inexplicata volans” (“unexplained flying thing”) is now the official translation for U.F.O.