Earlier last year Vito Roccoforte and Gabriel Andruzzi aka members of the era-defining NY post-punkers The Rapture emerged from their DFA/major label hangovers into a world of sonic wanderlust with their debut long-player ‘I Hear’ under their Mother Of Mars guise.

Emulating all that was good and great about the rhythm section of their previous incarnation but exploring corners all-new, on 'I Hear' they enlisted a third bandmate; Jaiko Suzuki, on vocals. The album ventured down different tributaries, journeying into psych, kosmische, avant-garde, fourth world and new age dreamscapes. The resulting album provided technicolour bleeps, drones, ethereal singing and a plethora of percussion interweave, like a fractal mosaic in harmonious sensorium.

Now on 'We Hear' the band mobilises rising producers, friends new and old, to remix the best tracks from the LP. First single, 'Through The’, is Natasha Bai’s magical touch, taking out into the morning light as the sun breaks over the horizon. Natasha’s sound is marked by her ambient-pop influences, transporting the listener through otherworldly universes.

I Hear (Remixes)

PREMIERE: Mother of Mars - Through The (Natasha Bai Remix)[Ransom Note Records]

Born in Maputo in 1981, son of the first black director of the Mozambican National Radio after the independence, Nandele Maguni travels with his family to Zimbabwe, where he lives until he is 7 years old. He grows up in a family from the Makonde tribe, being exposed early on to the music of Fela Kuti, Kanda Bongo Man, Hugh Masekela, Steven Kakana, Miriam Makeba, amongst others. Through his father comes also the music of Michael Jackson, Kool And The Gang, Bob Marley and Toots And The Maytals. All these great musical references helped to shape Nandele´s taste and in the 90s he was already freestyling to hip-hop beats, on sundays, on the National Union Of Journalists. Also in the 90s a friend of his dares him to play on a grunge band, inspiring him to learn to play the drums. This project had a short life and in 2004 Nandele takes up the drums on the hip-hop group Projecto Kamuflado, playing in many venues and drawing the attention of some producers. After a short residency on the historic bar Gil Vicente, with the Boom Bap Crew, Nandele is invited to stay in Gil Vicente´s resident band as a presenter and singer. At the same time he is spreading his good taste in several DJ sets throughout Maputo. His growing interest in electronic music and the possibilities that this style brings to a live show, leads him to start producing his own beats and form a new audiovisual project called Awesomakossa. In 2013 he was invited to be the DJ of the band Azagaia & Os Cortadores de Lenha, accompanying one of the most important rappers from the lusophone world.

Mother of Mars is the latest musical incarnation of New Yorkers Vito Roccoforte & Gabriel Andruzzi.
 
Having cut their teeth as the rhythm section of The Rapture—who were at the forefront of the late nineties post-punk revival scene—they took to channeling their mutual love of disco, house and techno, into the production and DJ duo Vito & Druzzi. After years of sharpening their skills, rhythmic acuity, and workflow in their rooftop Brooklyn lab, the duo accidently stumbled across a hidden preset in an ancient Japanese synthesizer. This discovery reoriented the lives and was akin to finding Shangri-La after schlepping across the Himalaya in search of a McDonalds. This fortuitous event led to the Mother of Mars project, which sees them shift focus from club orientated productions (aka bangers) towards Avant-Garde, New Age and Experimental influences (aka rituals of possession).
 
2018 saw their first exploration as Mother of Mars releasing their Seed 2 Sky 12” on Ransom Note Records. These synth-laden tracks, both 10 minutes in length, were lovingly crafted from their shared Brooklyn-based studio and cast a midpoint between each of their wide reaching influences. This time around, with their new album I Hear, they are joined by songstress Jaiko Suzuki—who brings her heavenly voice, keen insight, and bufo laden life.

🙏 🌏 Music From Planet Earth 🙏 🌏

If you'd like to send us demos, please email us at records@theransomnote.co.uk with a link to a private Soundcloud playlist.

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

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