RUBY RUSHTON Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Ruby Rushton gang is one of contemporary jazz's finest. They pull a wide range of influences into their music and have had an instantly recognisable sound since busting onto the scene with their still classic debut album Two For Joy. They reach the same heights again here with Giden's Way. 'Spanish Raga' was inspired by an evening out in Madrid in 2019 and floats on dreamy flutes while 'Fall From Grace' is lead by some virtuous sax and florid drum work. The flip side offers two more brilliantly busy but accessible, upbeat and sunny jazz jams.

Review: Ruby Rushton's latest offering presents a vibrant exploration of rhythm and texture, breathing new life into contemporary jazz fusion. On the title track, 'Stapodia,' an infectious groove shifts effortlessly between time signatures, creating a dynamic backdrop for striking solos on saxophone and trumpet. 'Kalo Livadi' bursts forth with a whirlwind of flute, trumpet, and synth bass, only to wind down into a hypnotic hip-hop groove, its keys solo lingering like an unexpected afterthought. The interplay of improvisation and structure feels both daring and deliberate, capturing the energy of a band constantly in conversation with itself.