‘The Spanish Master’ by Village of the Sun | New EP, ‘Village Of The Sun, Live In Tokyo’
Exclusive track premiere of ‘The Spanish Master’ by Village Of The Sun—the electrifying trio—taken from their surprise live EP ‘Village Of The Sun, Live In Tokyo,’ slated for release on October 25th via Gearbox Records.
This new EP captures the raw energy of a dynamic 2023 performance at Billboard Live, Tokyo. It’s the latest chapter from jazz players Binker Golding and Moses Boyd, teaming up with Simon Ratcliffe of Basement Jaxx fame. Together, they carve out fresh territory, blending atmospheric jazz with electronic textures in a performance that’s as thrilling as it is unpredictable.
Today’s premiere, ‘The Spanish Master,’ stretches over 13 minutes of intense interplay. Boyd’s polyrhythmic drums hold it down, while Ratcliffe’s synths float and weave, setting the stage for Golding’s saxophone to rise and fall with expressive freedom. The track ebbs and flows with energy, building to a peak that feels like the trio’s true mastery of improvisation laid bare.
Reflecting on the Tokyo show, Ratcliffe shared:
“This was a great show, we had a lot of fun and it was an honour to be invited to Billboard Tokyo. On a previous visit to Tokyo I had visited a Tokyo kissa – a jazz bar – that played outstanding music and served whiskey and hot food made by the owner’s mum. So I was happy to be able to invite them both to our show this time, they had a great time!”
The EP revisits live versions of favourites from their debut album ‘First Light,’ including ‘Ted’ and ‘Village Of The Sun,’ but ‘The Spanish Master’ stands out for its exploration and intensity. It’s full of surprises, with grooves that shift and evolve, rich harmonics, and moments that feel completely in the moment.
As they prepare for their upcoming set at the EFG London Jazz Festival, Village Of The Sun continues to push their sound forward—further cementing their reputation as fearless musicians in the ever-changing modern jazz.
Village of the Sun Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / YouTube
Gearbox Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube
‘Tigris’ by Village of the Sun
