MISSION: ON MARS mixes live breakbeat rhythms, Indian sitar melodies, space-jazz guitar, middle eastern drones, into a funk chilled crater of moon
walking beats. Members have performed with Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, Bill T. Jones, Vernon Reid, Valery Ponomarev's Messenger Band, Baba Israel, Michelle Ndegeocello, John Ellis, and embarked on tours in the middle east & egypt,
spreading the drone throughout the milky way. Mission: has provided live tracks for a diverse array of producers & artists in US, Europe and Asia.
the astronauts:
neel murgai - sitar
vin scialla - drums, electro percussion
david ullmann - gtr
joe ashlar - keys, organ
& guests
The album, “tarana sessions” has been finding its way on the airwaves & international dj playlists with the track, “the Landing,” where vocals &
sitar soar over a fluidly infectious drum break. The tarana sessions includes guests, Premik Russell Tubbs (John McLaughlin/ Mahavishnu/ Santana) on flutes, Felix Chen (bass), Ed Feldman (tabla), Dheepa Chari (voice) and "interstellar" remix by Ming & FS.
they say:
“Ravi Shankar meets Duracell.” (dustyhiker - getunderground.com)
"Add in the South Asian instrumention and hard-edged rhythms of Brooklyn-based tabla scientist Karsh Kale, the electro-rock of Mission on Mars (less Ennio Morricone crescendos, more hooks), and you've got the perfect alchemy of eclectic sounds sharing one amped up stage where dance floor and mosh pit unite." (D. Beres - Flavorpill.com / Ming + FS w/ Karsh Kale and Mission on Mars Live Review)
“The evolution of drums, bass, and hip-wigglin’ rhythms. Mesmerizing percussive pattens that are truly other worldly. “ (rhythmcollectiv.com)
