Ruby Rushton Stapodia

• 1. Stapodia
• 2. Kalo Livadi

'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 fnishing 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-fre flute and trumpet solos in a classic hard bop style, before settling back into a lazy Dilla'esque groove.