Propaganda Ted Sirota

• 1 Geronimo's Free 06:15
• 2 Ten 09:45
• 3 Carolynn's Blues 06:39
• 4 Propaganda 06:50
• 5 Lonely People 06:05
• 6 La Danse De Janvier 09:33
• 7 Little Spots 07:02
• 8 Hemiola 08:49
• Total Runtime 01:00:58

Info for Propaganda

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. (Joel Roberts, AllAboutJazz)

Noel Kupersmith, Bass
Rob Mazurek, Cornet
Ted Sirota, Drums
Jeff Parker, Guitar
Kevin Kizer, Tenor Saxophone

Chicago based drummer Ted Sirota formed the avant-garde post-bop ensemble Rebel Souls in 1995 and quickly became one of Naim's stalwart jazz artists, with three stunning True Stereo recordings from Naim engineer Ken Christianson in five years (between 96-01). The Rebel Souls have a unique formula comprising of afro-pop, funk, reggae, ska and hip-hop underpinned by the rebellious jazz and socially aware improv of the 1960s.

Cultivating what the Chicago Reader describes as "immediately recognizable sound". Over the years Sirota has hand picked some of Chicago's finest up and coming jazz cats to perform and record with, including Jeff Parker, Kevin Kizer, Jeff Hill, Rob Mazurek, Noel Kupersmith, Geof Bradfield, Greg Ward, Dave Miller and Jake Vinsel.

Sirota boasts a varied arsenal of influences with jazz from Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk right through to reggae icon Bob Marley and world music from Nigeria's Fela Kuti.

Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls strive to use their music as a weapon in the battle against oppression and reactionaries worldwide, and not merely as ‘art for art's sake'.

Booklet for Propaganda