Sababa 5 - Nadir LP [Batov]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: BTR123LP

An essential album for fans of The Heliocentrics, Khruangbin, The Dap Kings, and Moğollar.

Sababa 5 explore a darker, more sophisticated, and cinematic blend of psychedelic soul and Middle Eastern rock on Nadir, their first full-length album of new material since Aspan (2023). Following three acclaimed records, a string of coveted 45 rpm singles, and collaborations with vocalists such as Yurika and Sophia Solompon—championed by tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Cerys Matthews, and Jeremy Sole—Nadir finds Sababa 5 at their most enigmatic and irresistible.

Sababa 5’s new album, Nadir, delves into a darker, more refined, and cinematic fusion of psychedelic soul and Middle Eastern rock. The title, Nadir, is an astronomical term referring to the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith. Metaphorically, it alludes to the lowest point or a moment of adversity. This duality connects with the band’s exploration of musical contrasts: the cosmic and the earthy, the ethereal and the grounded. The name encapsulates the album's essence, reflecting a journey through deep, introspective soundscapes that are both otherworldly and firmly anchored in raw, earthy grooves.

Nadir opens with "VU," almost four minutes of mysterious, dark, and seductive groove-driven funk. Spiraling guitars, an Arabian-tinged electric organ, and raga-inspired drones evoke the haze of a smoky Cairo bar, while the track winks at their close musical allies, vuvuvu, whose raw, noisy, playful energy has rubbed off on the group.

The album's title track conjures the sensual atmosphere of a Mediterranean night, immersing the listener in a territory of intrigue and intensity. A shadowy bassline sets a suspenseful tone before a synth-led melody unfolds, punctuated by Italian motifs and Middle Eastern tonalities, reminiscent of the cinematic pulse of soundtrack legends like Piero Umiliani and Stelvio Cipriani. Subtle wah-wah guitar accents add a psychedelic nuance, evoking acid rock elements from classic Poliziotteschi soundtracks.

However, not all tracks dwell in darkness; "Tell" presents a brighter tone, closer to that of Aspan. It leans into Turkish ballad territory—though with synths taking the lead—and is as melodic as it is melancholic, driven by an irresistible groove that offers a refreshing counterpoint to the album's somber moods.

Nadir stands as Sababa 5’s most compelling and accessible offering to date: a transcontinental journey where hypnotic grooves, cinematic arrangements, and evocative Middle Eastern scales create vivid imagery, invite movement, and touch the soul.