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Saihs: Distopìa

By Neil Duggan
August 10, 2025
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Distopia is the debut album from Italian sextet

Saihs

" data-original-title="" title="">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

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">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

trumpet
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Sipiagin,

Ethan Iverson

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Iverson and

Peter Washington

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Washington.

The album opens with "Second Try," a composition by bassist

Giulio Barsotti

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Giulio Barsotti. He builds a fast-paced, bustling rhythm with drummer

Edoardo Battaglia

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Edoardo Battaglia. The piece twists and turns, building tension through urgent piano and trumpet improvisations before changing pace as

Matteo Zecchi

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">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

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Giulio Mari, opens with a mournful brass and woodwind motif before some fine combinations from Barsotti and pianist

Lorenzo Fiorentini

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Lorenzo Fiorentini. The track becomes more impassioned as trombonist

Giulio Tullio

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">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.

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Track Listing

Second Try; Iram; Emulazione I; Trattenuta; Intro; How Many Times...; ...Did You Cross The Line?; Sette; Distopìa; Celia.

Personnel

Matteo Zecchi

saxophone, tenor

Giulio Mari

trumpet

Giulio Tullio

trombone

Lorenzo Fiorentini

piano

Giulio Barsotti

bass, acoustic

Edoardo Battaglia

drums

Album information

Title: Distopìa | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: GleAM Records

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