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Media Alert: Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls Seize The Time (NAIM Jazz 115) Street Date September 8, 2009 

Whenever you see the word "rebel" in the title of something, you've got to
wonder what the rebellion is against. In this case, it must be easy labels,
as this band lead by drummer Ted Sirota has that light and undefinable feel
that was trademarked by iconoclast Charles Mingus. The unconventional front
line of two saxists, Geof Bradford/ts/ss/bc and Greg Ward/as is able to be
molasses rich (as on Caetano Veloso's "13 De Maio") or kite flying airy (as
on Ward's "The Keys To Freedom"). The selection of material is likewise
eclectic, including a swinging reading of The Clash's "Clampdown" (!) and an
authoritative reading of Mingus' "Free Cell Block F'..." The string section of
Dave Miller/g and Jake Vinsel/b mix and match complex and driving rhythm
with enough solo space to show their wares, while Greg Ware's alto is
hauntingly reminiscent of John Handy's work. The band selects their material
from quite interesting sources; it's rare to hear anything from the long
forgotten Stephen Foster, and judging by the treatment of his "Hard Times"
it might be a good time to re-evaluate this guy. Varied and vivacious with a
nice balance of freedom and form.