Mission to Mars - Nektar
Tracks:
1. Mission to Mars 8:58
(Ryche Chlanda, Derek "Mo" Moore, Kendall Scott)
2. Long Lost Sunday 7:11
(Ryche Chlanda, Derek "Mo" Moore)
3. One Day Hi One Day Lo 10:11
(Ryche Chlanda, Derek "Mo" Moore, Kendall Scott)
4. I'll Let You In 6:05
(Ryche Chlanda, Derek "Mo" Moore)
Formed in Germany in 1969, Nektar favored extended compositions and concept albums over the constraints of pop. They were among the progenitors pf the progressive rock movement of the 1970s as well as the jam-band scene that arose in the late 1990s. Their sound traveled well to the States, where they enjoyed Top 40 success with "A Tab in the Ocean" (1972) and "Remember the Future" (1973).
Nearly 20 albums later, the band's artistic and personal charisma has earned them masses of devoted fans along with their album "The Other Side" (2020) which was Number 1 on Amazon Progressive Music.
For over half a century, Nektar has been the guiding star for countless fans, leading them on mesmerizing expeditions through the vast expanses of the cosmos and the depths of the ocean. With their unique fusion of progressive rock and stunning visuals, these trailblazing prog-rock legends have ignited the imaginations of generations.
As they began the next 50 years of their career, they kicked it off earlier this year with "Journey to The Other Side - Live at The Dunellen Theatre June 10, 2023". Capturing the band with a 2CD/Blu-Ray set clocking in at over 2 and 1/2 hours and spanning the band's entire career with classics like "Remember the Future Parts 1 & 2", "A Tab in the Ocean", and the last to have primary member Ron Howden who died suddenly at the age of 78 on September 29th, 2023.
Now Nektar is broadening their horizons with the first in the Mission to Mars trilogy. Their first to feature new drummer, Jay Dittamo, alongside longtime members Ryche Chlanda (guitars, vocals), Kendall Scott (keyboards, synths), Maryann Castello (vocals) and original founding member Derek "Mo" Moore (bass guitar, vocals). From the rocking title track "Mission to Mars" to the beautiful "I'll Let You In," Nektar covers all the prog rock bases while venturing into some new melodic territories. As both Mo and Ryche state "Mission to Mars' hails back to Nektar's early roots before prog music was even a term, a blend of rock and progressive elements that define Nektar's musical evolution. From day one we had a special feeling about our new album "Mission to Mars."
The "Mission to Mars" project started during COVID when we were incapacitated and could not get together other than by Zoom. It started with a riff I used to play for sound check in the 1970's. Ryche picked up on it right away and said, "let's make a song around it" and the song became "Mission to Mars". "Long Lost Sunday" was the next logical step, a song reaching for your Higher Self. Then the next song just happened. We immediately sat down on the floor and worked out a bass part for the chorus. Ryche, Maryann and I sang the Da Da Da part and we liked it so much it made the final cut on "One Day Hi One Day Lo".
The original idea for "I'll Let You In" came to Ryche in less than five minutes that we knew instantly we would use it on the album and worked out a bridge in two minutes. It was so powerful it brought tears to our eyes. Ryche straightaway put down a scat vocal and we were off to start this new album. Ryche is wonderful to write with, he has a very active musical mind and we tic to the same toc.
Over the next few years Ryche and I and later Kendell put together the music for "Mission to Mars." We would bounce ideas around over the internet, with many versions evolving and with the final version being completed in the studio while we were recording it. With multiple lyric sessions Ryche and I plugged on, writing the final lyrics together on his kitchen table. I have to say I love how it turned out, so much so, we will play the entire album on our "Mission to Mars" tour.
