I've never been in a spaceship. Then again Brian Eno probably hasn't either.
Still, we've all seen Sci-Fi movies like 2001 A Space Odyssey, Solaris and Moon so like to imagine what floating in space might be like and how it feels to be drifting in what the sleeve notes for this album describe as an "infinite universe of emptiness".
The original recording, first released in 1983 as Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks, was composed by Brian and Roger Eno with Daniel Lanois.
This was inspired by Apollo's adventures in outer space although was never specifically used as a movie score.
Tim Boon, Head of research at London's Science Museum, hatched a cunning plan of using a live performance of this classic ambient work to soundtrack Al Reinart's For All Mankind as a way of marking the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing.
Reinhart's film comprises edited images taken from thousands of hours of NASA footage from nine successful manned flights between 1968 and 1972.
For all the engine power needed to propel a rocket from Earth,it is the weightless, drifting motion that we associate with space travel and this is what Eno's music captures so perfectly.
The deliberate absence of crescendos and the chilled atmosphere produce a calming effect.
Although divided into thirteen parts this album should ideally be heard in its entirety.
That said, if you're in a hurry, the graceful beauty of Always Returning is a stand alone piece which serves as a good two minute entry point.
This orchestral version of Apollo is arranged by a young South Korean composer Woojan Lee with Brian Eno on hand to offer advice and suggestions.
Lee's big challenge was to transform studio based music into a piece that uses 'real' instruments as opposed to synthesizers and computers.
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This he has succeeds in doing brilliantly by scoring the work for a diverse range of instruments including accordion, pan-pipes, saxophones, guitars, clarinets, violin and cello.
These are played to perfection by Icebreaker, a 12-piece group , founded in 1989, who have built a reputation as one of the top contemporary music ensembles through performances of works by composers like Michael Nyman, Philip Glass and Terry Riley.
The most striking, though not incongruous, contribution is by UK pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole who plays on five of final six tracks. His participation in the project reflects the astronauts' liking for country and western music.
The complete work was first performed at the IMAX cinema at the science museum in 2009 while the version we hear on this CD was recorded live at the Brighton International Festival in May 2010.
Unfortunately, the 51 minute piece does not include songs performed by Brian Eno at this festival.
There's no DVD version either so, as with the original Apollo studio recording, the floating in space visuals have to play out in our heads.
And its unquestionably an imaginary journey worth taking.
Icebreaker's website
Website dedicated to the Icebreaker Apollo project.
BJ Cole's website.
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