Sababa 5 pushes boundaries with instrumental grooves and ever‑changing vibes.The band is known for their unique blend of Middle Eastern influences, psychedelic grooves, and jazz energy. Every album feels like a new journey, with a fresh sound and atmosphere each time. Their latest release, Nadir, has just dropped, revealing a darker, more hypnotic side of the band. While their music is largely instrumental, they regularly enrich their tracks with guest vocalists and distinctive instruments from different cultures. We sat down with bassist and bandleader Amir Sadot to talk about the new album, their creative process, and the evolving identity of Sababa 5.
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Introduction
What does the name ‘Sababa 5’ mean?
It’s actually the name of a boat in Jaffa that’s been giving tours since the 80s. On those tours they play funny, cheerful music. “Sababa” means something like “awesome” in Arabic or Hebrew, and the 5… well, people often ask where the fifth member is, since we’re only four. I like that mystery. We see the “fifth member” as the spirit of collaboration, the guests and vocalists we work with.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
When I’m at an airport I sometimes just say “jazz”, because it’s the easiest. But if you know a bit more about music, I’d say it’s rooted in Middle Eastern sounds. We mix a lot of elements under that umbrella: grooves, melodies, and rhythms from Arabic, Turkish, and Mediterranean traditions, with our own twist.
What kind of stories do your songs tell?
Our music is instrumental, so it’s more about atmospheres than lyrics. We try to release something every year, and each time we explore something different. Each album has its own vibe. Our last album, Nadir, is darker and more psychedelic, a bit melancholic even.
Where did that darker vibe of Nadir come from?
Itamar, our new drummer, and I used to play in another project called Vu Vu Vu. That sound inspired us a lot. Nadir became a sort of homage to that project. It might be a bit confusing, but this is the story behind our latest release.
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Roots
How has your background shaped your sound?
llan and I started as jazz musicians, deeply into grooves and improvisation. Over time, we realized jazz has always been about blending influences. Growing up in the Middle East, we naturally absorbed Arabic, Turkish, and European music. That mix became part of us, and it’s what you hear in Sababa 5. But our sound is always evolving. Jazz was our foundation, but we’re constantly inspired by new things such as records we hear, artists we meet. It’s hard to name one source. Inspiration is everywhere.
Do you integrate traditional instruments or vocal styles in your music?
Absolutely. We’ve collaborated with a Yemeni singer, a Turkish vocalist, and we’re currently working on a 7-inch with Itzhak Ventura, who plays the Nay, an Arabic flute. We also use instruments like the saz and the baglama. These textures are essential to our sound.
The album Kokoro had Japanese influences. How did that happen?
That was a beautiful coincidence. We met Yurika Hanashima, who came to Tel Aviv to study belly dancing. She hadn’t really sung before, but when we jammed together, everything clicked. She is very talented and her voice connected naturally with our sound, because she was very familiar with our culture. Suddenly we had this Middle Eastern–Japanese fusion that felt so right.
Fusion can be a tricky word in music. What does it mean to you?
Funny enough, in jazz school “fusion” was almost a bad word. Something not pure. But over time I’ve embraced it. To me, fusion is about blending and connecting cultures in a new way. That’s exactly what we do. So I think I am a fusion-musician after all.
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Live
What feeling do you want to give people at your live shows?
We see our shows as a celebration with the audience. We make sure we enjoy ourselves on stage, because that energy is contagious. It’s about sharing the moment. I hope they leave with a spark, an inspired feeling. When I see art or music that moves me, it’s like a frequency I carry with me. If we can give that to someone else, that’s the best.
Is there a live moment that has stayed with you?
Many! Recently we played in a German town called Heilbronn. The crowd’s energy lifted us to another level. Another special one was Paradiso in Amsterdam in the smaller upstairs venue. It was sold out and for us it was so exciting to see that many people coming in a new country. Those nights stay with you.
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Inspires
What’s next for Sababa 5?
We just moved to Paris and we’re exploring the city. Meeting new vocalists and artists to work with, and working on a new album that will come out early 2026. This one leans more into traditional Mizrahi influences, something we often play at the end of our live sets. And we’re already thinking beyond that, our goal is to keep creating, maybe even more than one album a year. We want to be productive.