Saihs: Distopìa

Distopia is the debut album from Italian sextet Saihs, formed in Florence, Tuscany, in 2023. Although each track is credited to a single composer, the process of shaping each piece was the result of two years of intensive rehearsal sessions at the Scuola di Musica in Campi Bisenzio, under the guiding hand of director Massimo Barsotti. Under his mentorship, the group defined their nine original compositions, along with a reinterpretation of Bud Powell's "Celia."

With their typical sextet lineup of piano, bass, drums, trombone, saxophone and trumpet, Saihs' fusion of modern and contemporary jazz influences has seen them win a host of awards. Individually, the members of the group have performed with artists such as Alex Sipiagin, Ethan Iverson and Peter Washington.

The album opens with "Second Try," a composition by bassist Giulio Barsotti. He builds a fast-paced, bustling rhythm with drummer Edoardo Battaglia. The piece twists and turns, building tension through urgent piano and trumpet improvisations before changing pace as Matteo Zecchi's tenor saxophone solo brings calm. The band favor complex compositions combining changes of pace with space for improvisational freedom. "Iram," a composition from trumpeter Giulio Mari, opens with a mournful brass and woodwind motif before some fine combinations from Barsotti and pianist Lorenzo Fiorentini. The track becomes more impassioned as trombonist Giulio Tullio takes the improvisational lead in one of the album's highlights.

The title track brings a swinging feel with the rhythm section fueling a funk-filled opening before a flowing and rhythmic piano improvisation leads to expressive combinations between trombone and trumpet. Saxophonist Zecchi brings two compositions, "Emulazione I" and "Trattenuta," both of which have more of a classic feel with their inventive interplay. "Intro," "How Many Times..." and ..."Did You Cross the Line?" combine to form a three-part suite, composed by trombonist Tullio. They feature flowing trombone breaks, trumpet solos, mournful piano and flowing saxophone expressions.

Elsewhere on the album, Powell's bebop favourite "Celia" is thoughtfully reimagined, while the gentler "Sette" stands out as an engaging piece built around a strong melody. With six instruments in play, achieving clarity and balance can be a challenge, but Saihs skilfully navigate their complex arrangements of the composed and improvisational in a cohesive manner, helped by the usual high-quality recording typical of GleAM Records. Frequently steering their compositions down unexpected paths, this young ensemble impresses with both their commitment and energy—with the fluidity of their solos bringing everything together.