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Martian Xmas was never intended to be a ’standard xmas’ album per se but more so an excursion into the sounds of north American winter during the holiday period… at least that’ was Moka Only’s intent. The whole “Martian” thing originated on the first album of the series as the outlook of a displaced alien that arrives on earth during the holidays to learn and understand what the fuss is about and pledges to return annually to add his contributions. This concept may have been ignited by a little known Xmas cartoon special entitled ‘a cosmic Christmas’ In which three alien visitors arrive on earth to determine what the ‘true meaning’ of Christmas was and how they could “measure it “.

The Martian Xmas album series has evolved from a literal definition of a visiting Martian into a permant earth dweller who simply feels alienated and uses the music as his main means to even connect with the rest of the world. And that’s Moka! Moka isn’t sampling from well known xmas songs nor is he doing any cover sngs. This is something different altogether… And that’s valid…because afterall, who is to really say what constitutes as Xmas music? Moka uses a secular approach with the words and content. Lyrically with this series he tries to paint a patchwork of scenes, some abstract and some literal which entail everything from Xmas shoppers, last minute holiday preparations, family, friends, the weather and of course Jazz and speaking of which, listeners who are accustomed to the Moka Only catalog will notice a heavier jazz presence on this years Martian xmas as he has culled together a few talented and notable individuals whom originate from jazz backgrounds to add their touch to this project (such as Sean O’Hagan of the incomparable British avant-pop group The High Llamas’). Moka also introduces a beatmaker by the name of Jules Chaz of Victoria , BC who comes from a jazz drumming background.

Moka Only hopes he encapsulated a feeling of the holiday period that people from any background and/or walk of life or denomination can attain something from as this music is directly culminated from his holiday time experiences since childhood. He’s very proud to bring you the 2009 edition of Martian Xmas.

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