Apparently, mod-culture is back, but how mod are you without Sababa 5's new album 'Aspan', out on Batov Records?
Filled with 60s inspired instrumental psychedelic funk rock and Middle Eastern grooves, this is another winner you can't do without.
Opening up with 'Wembley' (no hint of a football chant but 1966 and all that; RIP Sir Bobby Charlton) and the 'Tri Li Li' isn't nursery rhyme influenced like the title hints at but comes with some dub vibes!
The cover looks like something from a Joe 90 annual but as a follow-up to last years' self-titled debut album, (see review HERE) I think they've gone deeper and more mainstream all at the same time.
The single, 'Fa Sol La' is the high speed version of the Med coastline Joe Meek (very popular this one) that's matched by the equally fast title track.
If there's more dreamy beach scenes with 'Carmel', 'Aeolus' and the closing track, 'Indra'. And in constrast, 'Barabara' does her thing; possibly on a TV theme/opening credits with some proggy organ at the end and then, going off script, 'Alpis' is like an instrumental version by The Stranglers/Brian Auger.
With such well crafted tracks, it's hard to believe that the band consist of Ilan Smilan (guitar), Amir Sadot (bass), Raz Man (Drums) and Eitan Drabkin (keys/synths).
Trendies like BBC 6 Music's Cerys Matthews, Deb Grant/Tom Ravenscroft, Gilles Peterson are big fans and yes Abigail, "I'm a mod" and so are Sababa 5; middle eastern jazz-mods but definitely now!
Artist: Sababa 5
Title: Aspan
Release date: 17th Novmember, 2023
Label: Batov Records
Cat. No: BTR086
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp
0 comments:
Post a Comment