Space Is The Place with Mother Of Mars

Music

New Yorkers Vito & Gabriel are the minds behind Mother of Mars, the latest incarnation from the former The Rapture rhythm section and DJ duo.

They debuted the project two years back on our own Ransom Note Records, releasing their maiden voyage Seed 2 Sky — two synth-laden opuses that cast a midpoint between each of their wide reaching influences.

Last month saw their triumphant return to R$N with Space Without A Shadow, this time bringing along Japanese expat and songstress Jaiko Suzuki for the ride. The unfolding composition feels like the mission piece or an extension of their label debut, fusing driving percussion and repetitive synth riffs with Jaiko’s multi-tracked airy vocals.

To celebrate the release and continue on the cosmic theme, we invited Vito and Gabriel to share their favourite space-related songs and clips below…

Follow Mother Of Mars. Buy Space Without a Shadow.

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Mother Of Mars The Ransom Note

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Jesús Alfonso Miró - Los Muñequitos De Matanzas, Congo Yambumba

Gabriel: This was my first pick for this feature, primarily because I’ve had it on repeat and the performance video is utterly beautiful to me. When I sent this to Vito he said it was a lovely track but also responded that this playlist is supposed to have a space theme. Without going too far into critiquing this “space theme” and the Ransom Note’s choice to name this ongoing feature “Space is the Place”, I will just say that the whole thing is knotty and problematic. The way Los Munequitos de Matanzas explores space and space in time via rhythm, melody as well as their historical context, which has probably a whole lot more in common with Sun Ra than something obviously “space themed” like Holst, the Star Wars soundtrack or some subpar new age synth opus.

Jesús Alfonso Miró - Los Muñequitos De Matanzas, Congo Yambumba

Gabriel: This was my first pick for this feature, primarily because I’ve had it on repeat and the performance video is utterly beautiful to me. When I sent this to Vito he said it was a lovely track but also responded that this playlist is supposed to have a space theme. Without going too far into critiquing this “space theme” and the Ransom Note’s choice to name this ongoing feature “Space is the Place”, I will just say that the whole thing is knotty and problematic. The way Los Munequitos de Matanzas explores space and space in time via rhythm, melody as well as their historical context, which has probably a whole lot more in common with Sun Ra than something obviously “space themed” like Holst, the Star Wars soundtrack or some subpar new age synth opus.
Space Jam - Full Movie

Gabriel: As a response to Vito’s insistence that our playlist has a more apparent “space” theme I decided to include this movie. I think it speaks for itself.
Kadri Gopalnath - Vatapi Ganapatim Bhajeham

Gabriel: I’ve been trying to play saxophone as much as I can lately. Really, I’m relearning… as it has been ages since I played regularly, primarily due to poor life choices. Kadri Golpinath both inspires me to play and intimidates the hell out of me with his complete mastery and beauty he displays on the damn thing.
Jon Gibson - Untitled

Gabriel: Speaking of sax… this lovely musician and composer just passed on. And as one does when a musician, artist or loved one they feel connected to dies—we revisit them. While not one of Jon Gibson’s pieces of sax music, this flute jam has had me in a steady groove the past week. Nothing but love.
Variations Vii Sur Le Thème Des Bene-Gesserit

Vito: I just looked up Richard Pinhas when I started writing this so I could pretend I know what I was talking about. I didn’t really know anything about this song or the musician before. I heard the song about a year ago on the excellent Cosmic Machine compilation and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. It’s such a beautiful piece of music. I also really like his track Variations VII Sur Le Thème Des Bene Gesserit on the Soul Jazz Records Presents Space, Energy & Light: Experimental Electronic and Acoustic Soundscapes 1961-88 compilation.
Q 'The Voice Of Q'

Vito: The first couple verses sum things up pretty well: Interplanetary hyperspace. Open up your mind, Q will answer questions anytime. Feel the gravity, Move into a new reality, Open up your mind.
Cloud One - Atmosphere Strut

Vito: An almost 10 minute space disco opus produced by Patrick Adams and Peter Brown, yes please!
Fuga Ronto - L'Uomo Invisibile

Vito: Mainly aded this one because it’s one of my recent faves. Really enjoying the whole Invisible Escape EP. Beautiful use of space more in terms of the expanse and freeness of the music rather than literal outer spaceness of the music.