For its first release of 2011, Silk Digital is proud to shine the spotlight and one of its newest and brightest talents, Dapple Apple. With an EP on the deeper "Silk Textures" sub-division this month as well, this extremely talented Russian artist continues to impress us with his versatile and sophisticated sounds.The title cut, "Nine Days' Wonder", is a timeless, melodic prog house beauty. Crystalline pads with perpetual filter automation evoke a euphoric, floating-on-air sensation from the very beginning, while the energetic rhythm also gets going early. In the main break, we are treated to a stunning new lead element: a rich, tremolo-ed main synth, reminiscent of classic Jaytech tunes.Approaching Black, who had a top 100 Beatport Prog House hit last year with "Yesterday's Tears" and whose "Slip" recently appeared on the Silk Royal Showcase 01 compilation, offers the first of two remixes. As per usual, the veteran Australian artist offers a soulful, inspired rendering, with numerous variations on the melodic themes presented in the original, including powerful, resonant chords (that have become an artist signature of late).Oleg Izergin, who like Dapple Apple, was one of the great breakthroughs of 2010 on Silk Digital, offers the second remix, a deeper, yet no-less-intricate take on the original. Izergin proves here that his standout remix of Claes Rosen's "Grenadines" last year was no fluke: he continues to come into his own, with a unique sound that features deep bass lines with subtle, yet poignant melodies and textures.Rounding out the release is Dapple Apple's second original, Florescence. He delves into deeper, darker territory here, yet this one can fairly be characterized as hauntingly beautiful. Employing some of the same textural motifs as equally gifted sonic architect Soundprank, Dapple Apple crafts an almost overwhelmingly rich and emotional soundscape here.