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Summer Legs
Trevor Dickson
7-out-of-10

Like a snow cone at 30 degrees, this record is a fun and refreshing treat. Summer Legs, by crooning singer songwriter Trevor Dickson channels the likes of The Kinks and The Zombies while bringing in a rich bedroom pop vibe.

This short EP swoons and sways like a cool summer breeze. Bossa Nova beats chime from a drum machine while a warm fog of organ and guitar tones lay heavily throughout the record. The Baroque rock melodies and influences shine on Summer Legs, providing a comfortable vintage throw-back feel.

Dickson's deep, crooning voice sings softly and compliments the other laid back elements beautifully. His lyrics are silly and idiosyncratic and are a good relief of summer time images. His writing style is interesting and simple.

The first three tracks of Summer Legs follow a similar format, but "Oh My One" breaks away from the mold with intricate drumming patterns and a crisper and broader vibe reminding me more of Grizzly Bear than The Zombies.

Summer Legs, at only four tracks, should be a new staple on every summer playlist. I only wish it was longer!

-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU

The Wind Blows Through The Trees
Drew Sayers & Tony Falco
8-out-of-10

My new found love of Jazz has taken me on quite a journey, from the beefy boogie beats of 74 Miles Away (to be reviewed at a later time) to the beautifully understated saxophone rantings of Drew Sayers and musical partner Tony Falco. The wide spectrum that "Jazz" covers is never ending, and the music within it is unparalleled.

Recorded on June 14, 2013, in one long and improvised take, Sayers and Falco laid down five flowing tracks. It's near impossible to distinguish where one track ends and another begins without looking, but what The Wind Blows Through The Trees offers are two immensely talented musicians working in, and sometimes out, of tandem to create some avante garde magic. The session is presented here without editing and is graced only by an Alto Sax and a drum set. Often resembling the sound of a breeze through Trembling Aspens, Sayers and Falco create an elusive and soft atmosphere. The often fluttering notes of the saxophone mirrored by the colourful and continuous drumming are comparable to the never ending movement of a hummingbird or windswept wild flowers. Quite a perfect record to close your eyes to.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on Jazz, but my ears like what they like, and they thoroughly enjoyed this. There's also something about the sound of saxophone that begs to be heard on a hot summer night.

-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU