Sababa 5 at Rozz-Tox -- September 4.
Friday, September 4, 8 p.m.
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island IL
Hailed by Spectrum Culture as a band that "has a knack for cooking up a good groove," the touring musicians and Tel Aviv natives of Sababa 5 headline a special September 4 concert at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox, their 2026 album Çeva Va Ça Va lauded by YouAndTheMusic.com as "exactly what you want to hear from them; Middle Eastern global funk."
Sababa 5 are a Paris-based band known for their hypnotic blend of Middle Eastern psychedelia, Mediterranean funk, and analog groove. Their sound fuses swirling organs, surf guitars, and irresistible rhythms into a style that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking – rooted in vintage tones, but always evolving.
After gaining global attention with the single “Tokyo Midnight / Nasnusa” featuring Japanese singer Yurika, the band continued to explore new directions through collaborations and live performances across Europe. Their self-titled debut album and follow-up, Aspan, deepened their signature sound: a rich instrumental fusion of funk, disco, and Eastern melodies. In recent years, Sababa 5 have expanded their palette through projects with vocalists including Shiran Tzfira, Inbal Nur Dekel, Yurika Hanashima, Canay Doğan, and Sophia Solomon, balancing analog depth with cross-cultural energy. Known for their captivating live shows, Sababa 5 bring an immersive experience that blends groove, improvisation, and vibrant sonic textures, connecting with audiences across Europe and beyond.
In 2025, Sababa 5 unveiled their fourth album Nadir, following it with this year's Çeva Va Ça Va. Marking a new creative high, Nadir dives deeper into emotion, texture, and groove – the sound of a band unafraid to move forward. This journey continues with Ca Va Ca Va, embracing a celebratory Hafla sound – Middle Eastern party spirit – fully supported by extensive European and American tours.
Sababa 5 performs their Rock Island engagement on September 4 with an additional set by Verndon, a Quad Cities-born, Oregon-based open-format vinyl DJ with wide-ranging sets rooted in soul, jazz, funk, boogie, and disco from around the globe. Admission to the 8 p.m. all-ages concert is $10-20, and more information and reservations are available by calling (309)200-0978 and visiting RozzTox.com.
