Toque plays what they like to call ‘hoser funk’ – improvised instrumental music made by Canadians, drawing inspiration from the soul jazz of the ‘60s and electronic musics of the 21st Century.
Organist Doug Organ, drummer Bill George and founding bassist Scott Wiber had been playing together around Alberta since meeting in college, but Toque got its official start as a recording project in Liverpool, England.
The resulting album, released in 2004, was intended as a one-off project, but was so well received in both the UK and Canada that Toque decided to recruit fellow Edmontonians Jay Cairns on bass and Cameron Sound on guitar and turntables. This configuration of Toque has enjoyed a very enthusiastic audience response across Alberta.
Toque’s sets are made up of (mostly original) jazz/funk tunes, with the occasional Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Meters, or John Scofield cover. They also frequently dip into dub territory, and are known for making wholly improvised music surprisingly listenable.
Toque is busy mixing their 2nd album, which was recorded live at kHz in Edmonton and will be released on the internet only.
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