Spoke
River Records, 2014, CD
Instrument: Instrumental
Issue: 21.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: The band is Andy Hunter (tb), Justin Wood (sax, fl), Dan Loomis (b) and Danny Fisher (d). Ito Arguinzon adds percussion on two selections. They play a little bebop on “Move”; give us taste of chamber jazz on “Blackbird”; a lullaby on “Pure Imagination” and celebrate with funk on the title track. Their arrangements are typically a tick slower than the originals allowing us to appreciate the harmony and tonal balance of the instruments notably on “Shepherd” written by Loomis. Spoke is an unusual name for a band but it is appropriate for this team as each of the members carries the load when called on. The result, (r)anthems is a wheel that rolls!
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
