By Carol Martin
SooToday.com
Sunday, June 04, 2006

Big Wheel and the Spokes have finally released a CD and its new offerings arrested a crowd of weekend patrons at Algoma University College's Speak Easy.

At Algoma U's alumni party on Friday night, the band started selling its first CD, a five-track wonder entitled Barley Soup for the Funky-Ass Soul.

Big Wheel and the Spokes are Jay Case (shown), Frank Deresti and Cliff Alloy.

The disc is a must-have for anyone who appreciates a decadent auditory experience.

Case drizzles his sultry hot-fudge lyrics over Deresti's ice cream-cool bass lines and it's all topped off with Alloy's nutty-frenetic drum attacks.

This tasty sundae is served on a solid plate of sizzling guitar riffs from Case that would make Jimi Hendrix' fingers burn.

The disk firmly captures Big Wheel and the Spokes' live sound without strangling it with over-processing.

"We recorded it live off the floor with only two takes of every song," says Jay Case, lead singer and guitarist for the band.

Case says it was important to the band that it stay true to its live sound because that's who it really is.

"Even if there are only two people in the room, three will be dancing," says Case. "It's music to dance to."

For photos of the big event at Algoma's Speak Easy and more on Big Wheel and the Spokes, click here.