fRoots Magazine

"... strange things are stirring in Canada. First the estimable Henrys emerged from Toronto with albums of lounge lizard Weissenborn lap slide, and now, over on the west coast, Vancouver's Steve Dawson (lots of slide guitars) and Jesse Zubot (mandolin, fiddle) are putting together what they like to call 'strang' music. This consists of an instrumental blend of raggy jazz, western swing, minimalism, funk and bluegrass, all beautifully played and highly listenable. The use of bass guitar, tuba and various electric organs provides a lush feel behind the two main instruments and the hurdy gurdy on 'Nightcap' and melodica on 'The Swaggering Dragon' add the element of surprise. Comparisons with The Henrys can't be ignored - especially when you have the wonderful Veda Hille doing a bit of a Mary Margaret O'Hara on the vocals of 'Army Days' - but Zubot and Dawson are working on their own agenda of skewed roots-based music. This is well worth seeking out, and rumor has it that the group can cut it live, too."

- Ian Kearey