Apollo was a Phonogram subsidiary operating in the early to mid 1970s primarily as an outlet for Gabriel Omolo and Apollo Komesha ’71, one of the most versatile and popular bands of the period, mixing rumba and benga and singing in Kiswahili, Dholuo and English.

Most catalogue numbers have been shortened in this discography in the following way: APL 7-685 has been shortened to APL 685, as some sources include the initial 7- and others do not.

In addition to their main Apollo catalogue numbers many singles carry a second number beginning AS, which indicates a connection with Associated Sound (ASL) in Nairobi.

Flemming Harreve in Denmark has pointed out that Apollo was also used as an export label for Polydor releases in Zambia, which carry the same serial numbers as their original Polydor release in Kenya.

Clearly there was some crossover with the Zambian market as APL 7-693 and APL 7-694 are in Chibemba, a language of Zambia, though the writing credits for both singles is given as Benson Simbeye, a musician who also recorded in Kiswahili on Equator Sounds.

APL 618       Gabriel Omolo                          Lunch Time/Tutakula Vya Ajabu           Swahili              1971

AS 1602-3   & Apollo Komesha ‘71

APL 640       Olonde Family Band                  George Owino/Daniel Wayiego             Luo                   1972

AS 1201-02

APL 645       Co-Luhya Bantu                       A: Abana Befwe Ndabolakhwo              Luhya                1972

AS 1221                                                    B: Ndatora Okhusila

APL 670       Apollo Komesha ’71                  Goodbye Mr Kupe/Anna                       Swahili/English  1972

AS 1514-5

APL 671       Apollo Komesha '71                  Nyar Yonam/Atek                                Luo                   1972

AS 1517-18

APL 674       Lolwe Jazz Band                       Thomas Oguda/Odipo Urther                Luo                   1972

AS 1563-64

APL 682       Apollo Komesha ’71                  Ukumbusho/Keep Change No 3            Swahili/English  1972

AS 1689-90

APL 685       Menya (GL) Success                 Nyadundo Okawa Ngimana/J Sudhe      Luo                   1973

APL 7-693    Semeni Jazz Band                    Ntungulushi Yachine/Chiyeyeye           Chibemba           1973

APL 7-694    Semeni Jazz Band                    Amapindo/Chindumbwi Ndumbwi         Chibemba           1973

APL 698       Apollo Komesha ’71                  Saitan Wuonda/Odenyo Elly                 Luo                   1974

AS 2786-7

APL 700       Gabriel Omolo                          Owuor M.V.E/Mr Agoya                        Luo                   1973

AS 2854-5   & Apollo Komesha 71

APL 701       Apollo Komesha 71                   A-side: Rose Mary Nyaboro No 2          Luo                   1974

AS 3018-9                                                  B-side: Annie Achieng

APL 702       Orch Semeni Band                    W.E. Thieu/Anthu Achabe                    Chichewa           1974

AS 3048-9

APL 713       Udenda Jazz Band                    Maggy wa Kamuradi/Apiyo                   Luo                   1976

AS 3911-12

APL 725       The Golden Kings Band 76        Africa Ibarikiwe Pts 1 & 2                     Swahili              1976

Apollo releases of Polydor catalogue for export to Zambia:

POL 427       Orch Les Wanyika                          Paulina Pts 1 & 2

POL 432       Orch Les Wanyika                          Sina Makosa Pts 1 & 2

POL 435       Orch Super Volcano                       Baba Mdogo/Hayati Ndugu Sembuli

POL 437       Orch Les Wanyika                          Pamela Pts 1 & 2

Catalogue       Group                                               A side/B side                                                 Language             Year

Number