ΣΤΑΠΟΔΙΑ (STAPODIA)

After a short hiatus from the studio, the Tenderlonious-led jazz quartet Ruby Rushton are back with the first single from their forthcoming album, presented on a limited edition 10” vinyl. Earlier in 2024 the band - also featuring trumpeter Nick Walters, pianist/composer Aidan Shepherd and drummer Tim Carnegie - were invited to Mykonos as part of a collaboration between Maera Music and 22a, which allowed the band to spend a few days writing and recording some new music. It was an opportunity for the quartet to spend some time together in a secluded hillside villa without any distractions and ultimately kick start the writing process for a long overdue album. The first two singles taken from the album were recorded at Maera Villas in their Secret World studio. 'Stapodia', named after an isolated island off Mykonos, begins with an infectious downtempo groove in 4/4 accompanied by a catchy horn riff, which leads us to a distinctive Ruby Rushton time signature change - a strident 5/4 beat with punchy horn lines and soaring sax and trumpet solos. These build to a virtuosic drum breakdown, before taking us back to the head of the tune and finishing with a snappy ending. 'Kalo Livadi', which is also named after a local Mykonian landmark, begins at a frenetic pace and instantly pulls the listener into a kaleidoscopic soundscape of flutes, trumpets, synth bass and drums before ending abruptly and slowing down to a hypnotic hip hop groove, which sets the scene for a tasty keys solo. But just as you were getting comfortable the drums pick up the pace again and the band deliver some quick-fire flute and trumpet solos in a classic hard bop style, before settling back into a lazy Dilla’esque groove. If this is a taster for things to come, then roll on 2025! Words by Rodriguez Guido All tracks written and recorded at Villa Maera Maximus 28th - 30th March 2024 Special thanks to Nikos Iatrou, Michalis Aristomenopoulos, Renia Vrachnou and the rest of the Maera Villas team