Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield is an integral and composing member of Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls. On his debut as a leader, Sirota, along with bassist Noel Kupersmith, add depth and dimension to a beautiful set of originals by Bradfield. Rule of Three is one of the more auspicious post-bop debuts to come down the boards in quite some time. Bradfield's tone is warm and rich, on both tenor and soprano. Six of the ten tunes here are originals, and Bradfield is a fine composer; he's not caught up in the horribly busy and egocentric school of contrapuntal melodics that many of his peers are. In addition, the notion of swing, be it loose and easy or fast and furious, is important to him. As a soloist in tunes like John Gilmore, Persephone, or his reads of Sonny Rollins' Paul's Pal and Randy Weston's Berkshire Blues, his scalar invention is compelling without being overblown or flashy. Like Rollins, or perhaps even Branford Marsalis, Bradfield is a singer on his horn, and his rhythm section -- particularly Sirota, with his dancing snares and tom toms -- carry this notion forward and accent it: check the beautiful reading of Billy Strayhorn's Day Dream for pure, bluesy lyricism. This is a very fine debut by a player who is not only confident, but in full possession of his gifts. Highly recommended. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

1		John Gilmore
2		Koan
3		Nichol's Plated
4		Day Dream
5		Paul's Pal
6		Contemplation
7		Reconciliation
8		Persephone
9		Berkshire Blues
10		Happy

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