I was immediately hooked by this album's first track: a loose, free-wheelin' tune called "Geronimo's Free" that laces jazz solos over a ska backbeat, recalling the best of the Skatellites. But don't expect just one sound or style from Chicago drummer Ted Sirota and his band, the Rebel Souls. Propaganda offers a little bit of everything: bebop, avant jazz, jazz-rock, even a touch of the blues - not surprising since Sirota was once a member of blues great Eddie Kirkland's band.
But the overriding inspiration for this daring, piano-less quintet appears to be the great bands of Ornette Coleman. The title tune, for example, is a free-jazz journey propelled by Sirota's ferocious drumming. "La Danse de Janvier," another Sirota original, layers funky dance and rock grooves over African percussion. Other numbers, like cornetist Rob Mazurek's "Ten" and guitarist Jeff Parker's "Hemiola", stick closer to home, building on catchy bebop riffs, but letting the soloists venture off into uncharted territories.
What sets this group apart from the crowd, in addition to fine chops, is its open ears and adventurous spirit. The Rebel Souls cover a lot of ground stylistically, but it never feels forced or unnatural. Here's a smart, forward-thinking band that knows how to swing. Definitely worth a listen.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
Beyond Jazz Big Band Blues Brazilian / Bossa Nova / Samba Dixieland / New Orleans / Swing Free Improv / Avant-Garde Fringes of Jazz Latin Modern Jazz Straight-ahead (Bop, Hard bop, Cool) Vocal