Togolese artist Alain Apaloo signs with German label Heartcore Records

Label boss and founder Kurt Rosenwinkel confirmed the news in a statement, saying that his outfit was thrilled to welcome Apaloo, who is set to release his upcoming album Naked in September, as the newest member.

On his part, Apaloo, a guitarist, singer, bandleader, and composer widely praised for his unique fusion of West African music with blues and jazz traditions, described the deal as an honour, adding that “the future is looking bright and I’m excited to work with them”. 

Established in Berlin in 2016, Heartcore is dedicated to the release of high-quality music, regardless of genre or style. Over the years, it has released albums in CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats, created a successful masterclass series and other educational products, and achieved its yearly philanthropic goals with its Heartcore for the World project.

Apaloo’s early affiliation with Togolese blues singer Jimi Hope and subsequent tenures in Ghana playing with Kwame Yeboah’s Sakra band and the famed Ghanaian Afropop artist Kojo Antwi allowed Apaloo to tour extensively throughout Europe and North America.

In 1999, Apaloo moved to Copenhagen to study at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory. He graduated in 2005 and quickly became a mainstay performer and jam host at Mojo Blues Bar, Copenhagen’s legendary blues venue. He leads a variety of projects, including the Alain Apaloo Trio, Mezzy Slide & The Crew, and APT3. Apaloo’s world music and jazz project ApiPipo won the Danish World Music Award for their album Floodgate (2009), and their album Nunya (2015) – released in collaboration with Kurt Rosenwinkel – was received with widespread critical acclaim.

Alongside his own projects, Apaloo is a prolific touring and session musician, collaborating with musicians throughout Europe including his long-time collaborator Ayi Solomon, Rasmus Lyberth, Gitte Hænning, MonkeyRat, Mariane Bitran, Simon Spang-Hanssen, and the Kenn Lending Blues Band. In 2023, he performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival as the second guitarist and vocalist in Kurt Rosenwinkel’s band.

A statement describes Apaloo’s impending new album as “ a stark and striking transference of magic and connection through the timeless medium of the blues, performed by a musician of great magnetism and irresistible joy.”

Recorded at Soundscape Studio in Copenhagen by Louise Nipper, Naked captures Apaloo in his most intimate setting – solo guitar and voice – his foot lightly stomping, creating a captivating atmosphere much like his live shows in the famed Copenhagen club Mojo. The 12-track effort includes guest appearances by guitarist Marcus King on two tracks, ‘Drifting’ and ‘Nothing to Lose’.

Ahead of the release, Alain Apaloo has dropped a new single titled ‘China Gate’.